Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin Feb. 12

The Wednesday action at Sha Tin begins at 5:45 a.m. ET, and Luke Middlebrook guides you through the nine-race program. 

Selections

Race 1: #6 Ever Smart, #3 Modest Gentleman, #2 Island Golden, #8 Fung
Race 2: #12 Wind Speeder, #4 Sonic Boom, #9 Cheer For South, #5 Speedy Smartie
Race 3: #7 He Was You, #9 Hinokami Kagura, #10 Yeah Buddy, #1 Sunny Darling
Race 4: #3 Reliable Profit, #7 Viva Chaleur, #2 Red Majesty, #9 Forever Folks
Race 5: #2 Bowser, #4 Looks Outstanding, #3 Riding High, #7 Vulcanus
Race 6: #8 Sky Vino, #1 Lucky Touch, #7 Brave Witness, #14 Viva Hunter
Race 7: #4 Full Credit, #8 Sing Dragon, #9 Lady’s Choice, #5 Capital Delight
Race 8: #10 Must Go, #9 Mojave Desert, #2 Mask Rider, #5 Galaxy Witness
Race 9: #1 Yellowfin, #11 New Forest, #7 Glorious Success, #3 Gummy Gummy

Race Analysis

Race 1: DIAMOND HILL HANDICAP

#6 Ever Smart has a wide draw to overcome, but prior to his last-start weakening effort—after being used up on the lead—he produced a pair of promising third-place finishes when ridden more conservatively following his drop into Class 5. #3 Modest Gentleman is having his third attempt back in Class 5 and gets favorable conditions from barrier 1, returning off an encouraging trial. #2 Island Golden is worth following again now that he is back in the cellar grade, where he holds a solid record of one win and a third from three attempts. #8 Fung disappointed last start, but that effort can be overlooked. Go off his prior fourth-place finish, where he led and gave a bold sight. Similar tactics are likely to be employed here, with apprentice Britney Wong taking the ride from a mid-draw.

Race 2: DIAMOND HILL HANDICAP

#12 Wind Speeder has been knocking on the door for his first win in 952 days and gets a prime opportunity here, with Andrea Atzeni taking over the reins and moving into barrier 1 from 11. This looks his best chance yet to get trainer Me Tsui back in the winner’s photo after a long run of outs. #4 Sonic Boom was unsuited over the extended mile last start, so expect him to rebound with a return to a more suitable trip, especially from the perfect draw in barrier 2. #9 Cheer For South raced wide without cover last time, which cost him his chance, but his prior runs suggest he is heading in the right direction. #5 Speedy Smartie also endured a tough trip from a wide gate last start yet wasn’t beaten far. Now drawn barrier 4, he gets an opportunity to improve with an in-form Luke Ferraris in the saddle. 

Race 3: KAM SHAN HANDICAP

#7 He Was You is an intriguing runner as he dons blinkers for the first time. He jumped straight to the lead and controlled his recent trial, suggesting he has taken improvement from the gear change. Expect similar front-running tactics to be attempted under race conditions. #9 Hinokami Kagura steps out for a new stable, making his first appearance for Chris So after previously being trained by Jamie Richards. His trial was fair, and his past record over this course and distance—where he has finished runner-up three times from nine attempts—suggests he can be competitive. #10 Yeah Buddy is showing improvement this season and can take another step forward after finishing a close-up fourth over this course and distance last time. #1 Sunny Darling is better suited returning to this track and trip, and with barrier 4 and Ferraris aboard, he warrants respect.

Race 4: SILVERMINE BAY HANDICAP

#3 Reliable Profit continues to be tested by wide barrier draws but has the ability to bounce back if Hugh Bowman can have him within striking range when it matters. A solid tempo will work in his favor. #7 Viva Chaleur remains a longstanding maiden, but his recent runs have been encouraging, and his trial between starts suggests a forward showing from a mid-draw here. #2 Red Majesty must be considered now that he returns to Class 4. He has drawn wide but possesses the early speed to offset it. #9 Forever Folks has what it takes to surprise in a race like this, and barrier 3 should allow Ben Thompson to secure a sweet run in transit.

Race 5: KAM SHAN HANDICAP

#2 Bowser hasn’t had much luck in recent runs and was also unsuited over the extended mile last start. Back to a preferred course and distance, and with a favorable low draw, his chances of improvement look strong. #4 Looks Outstanding has trialed well on multiple occasions for the Mark Newnham stable, though barrier 12 is far from ideal first-up. Still, if Ferraris can secure a suitable run in transit, he should acquit himself well. #3 Riding High is another from the Tony Cruz yard set to wear blinkers for the first time, and his trial in the gear was solid enough to suggest he can run a big race. His form has also been trending upwards since dropping into Class 4. #7 Vulcanus has been in fine form but is tasked with overcoming back-to-back wide draws. However, as he showed last start when flashing home into second from gate 12, he remains firmly in the mix.

Race 6: PO SHEK WU HANDICAP

#8 Sky Vino is well placed to break through for his maiden win on his fourth attempt. After a no-show on debut over an unsuitable trip, he has improved with more ground, posting back-to-back third-place finishes—first over 1400 meters at Sha Tin, then over 1650 meters at Happy Valley. The query is handling the all-weather for the first time, but he has drawn perfectly. #1 Lucky Touch showed a liking for this course and distance on his first attempt last start, settling further back than necessary before closing off strongly for third. Barrier 4 gives him the opportunity to settle closer, which he has done in the past. #7 Brave Witness makes his stable debut for David Eustace. His trial was eye-catching, though barrier 14 is far from ideal. With even luck, he will be in the mix. #14 Viva Hunter can run a cheeky race on a light weight from an inside gate after being held up at a crucial stage last time. One to keep in mind at a price.

Race 7: TIN CHAK HANDICAP

#4 Full Credit finds a much easier race after taking on the likes of Raging Blizzard and Gorgeous Win in recent starts—standout form to bring into this contest. He should land on the speed comfortably from barrier 3 and will take plenty of running down in the home straight if he isn’t overcooked early. #8 Sing Dragon, stablemate to Full Credit, returns to his happy hunting ground, where he is a four-time winner from five starts. The last time he raced here, four runs back, he edged out Full Credit by a neck. #9 Lady’s Choice looks the likely leader from barrier 1 under Wong. The rise to Class 2 is a query, but with a light weight, he will be tough to peg back if the track favors front-runners. #5 Capital Delight will relish a fast-run race. Expect him to be swooping late down the middle of the track, as he typically does in races like this.

Race 8: SHUI CHUEN O HANDICAP

#10 Must Go was unsuited over 1650 meters last time, but his prior run over this course and distance saw him start favorite from barrier 12 before charging home late into third. That followed another strong placing at this track and trip, and he looks ready to bounce back for a win. #9 Mojave Desert has been a big improver since joining Newnham and should enjoy a sweet run off the pace in what looks a strongly run race on paper. With plenty of speed engaged, he can be hard to hold out late from barrier 1 under Ferraris. #2 Mask Rider won comfortably on debut and looks a horse on the rise. The concern is how he handles potential early and mid-race pressure, though he may have the tactical versatility to adapt. #5 Galaxy Witness hasn’t won in over 2 1/2 years, but with blinkers back on and an anticipated hot tempo, he is now well rated and should be hitting the line strongly. 

Race 9: GREEN ISLAND HANDICAP

#1 Yellowfin bounced back to form for the first time this season with a fast-finishing second to Sunlight Power over the mile at Sha Tin. He is drawn perfectly in gate 2 for Wong and returns to a course and distance where he has proven credentials. #11 New Forest turned in a fair fourth on debut for the Newnham stable and should improve second-up with race experience and added fitness. #7 Glorious Success is ready to break through for his first Hong Kong win, though barrier 13 presents a challenge. If Karis Teetan can navigate a good run, he will be going very close to securing victory. #3 Gummy Gummy is intriguing from barrier 1 under Bowman. The all-weather surface is a positive, but the trip is untested, making it a slight query.