The lead-up to Hong Kong International Races continues at Sha Tin on Sunday, with 10 races on the programme and some smart prospects out to play.
Owen Goulding is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections for the competitive card.
Race 1 – Class Five Ashley Handicap (1,650m)
Go Go Go is a frustrating sort but he ran his best race in a long time over course and distance last up and can find a good position from gate one.
Season 2024/25 is underway! 🥳@zpurton bags the opener aboard Charm Spirit gelding Go Go Go at Sha Tin, defying the late charge of Sunny Baby...#SeasonOpener | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/WjgQ27bwNU
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) September 8, 2024
Race 2 – Class Five Cameron Handicap (1,200m)
Cheer For South was nosed out over course and distance two starts ago and back on his favourite surface, he can make good use of gate two to score.
Race 3 – Class Five Carnarvon Handicap (1,200m)
Vigor Eye has won his two most recent trials in good fashion in the lead-up to his debut and he has drawn well to attack under Brenton Avdulla.
Race 4 – Class Four Kimberley Handicap (1,200m) – section one
Kyrus Treasure ran far better than the bare result on his second racecourse start and this is the first time he has drawn towards the inside for David Eustace.
Race 5 – Class Four Kimberley Handicap (1,200m) – section two
Winning Data has dropped to a very dangerous mark and he signalled his time was near with his last-start third. Ellis Wong Chi-wang’s 5lb claim could be vital.
Race 6 – Class Three Middle Handicap (1,000m)
We Are Hero had a nightmare passage over course and distance last start but still finished close up. James McDonald is up now and he’s better drawn this time.
Race 7 – Class Four Austin Handicap (1,200m)
Jolly Companion was narrowly beaten over track and trip last time and remains below his last winning mark. He is well drawn to attack under Maxime Guyon.
🗣️ "He's showing them a jolly good sight here, Jolly Companion!"
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 29, 2024
Our apprentice Britney Wong collects a sixth win in Hong Kong as All Too Hard gelding Jolly Companion is tenacious out in front... 💪#LoveRacing | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/z2E1p4Qyql
Race 8 – Class Two Chatham Handicap (1,200m)
Invincible Shield was a dirt winner when trained in Australia and his latest second on the turf was much more like it. Stall one will give him no excuses.
Race 9 – Class Three Mody Handicap (1,650m)
New Forest decimated his rivals despite a wide draw last time and has drawn stall three on this occasion. He’s up 10lb but he should get a soft lead with the other pace angles drawn wide.
Race 10 – Class Three Salisbury Handicap (1,400m)
Top Dragon had to do things the hard way to win last time but did so readily. He is a very smart prospect and should have no problem overcoming stall 10.
