Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 28

The Sunday action at Sha Tin begins at midnight ET late Saturday our time. Analyst Luke Middlebrook has selections for the 10-race program. 

Sha Tin Selections

Race 1: #1 Country Dancer, #10 Ho Ho Star, #7 Gorgeous Vitality, #4 Super Elite
Race 2: #6 Manythanks Forever, #3 Flying Phantom, #14 Regency Happy Star, #8 Fireball
Race 3: #4 Awesome Fluke, #9 Bravehearts, #7 Winning Dragon, #5 Romantic Thor
Race 4: #2 Endeared, #10 Pearl Of Pang’s, #7 Great Spirit, #5 Shamus Storm
Race 5: #2 Masterofmyuniverse, #7 Travel Golf, #3 Newborn Miracle, #6 Lucky Blessing
Race 6: #4 Sunny Darling, #6 Mr Energia, #8 Fortune Warrior, #1 Offroad Master
Race 7: #1 Ballistic Win, #5 Forerunner, #3 Panda, #11 Dragon Four Seas
Race 8: #11 Cheval Valiant, #6 Heroic Master, #12 Grand Nova, #1 Healthy Healthy
Race 9: #3 Full Credit, #5 Packing Bole, #2 Gummy Gummy, #4 Self Improvement
Race 10: #7 Markwin, #3 Beauty Crescent, #2 Charming Legend, #4 Lo Rider

Race Analysis

Race 1: PORT SHELTER HANDICAP

#1 Country Dancer scored in impressive style last time out and looks set to progress further for the John Size stable. While this race lacks a course-and-distance winner, the likely strong tempo could play perfectly to his strong finish. #10 Ho Ho Star resumes after a luckless fifth-place effort after he was badly held up and commands respect under the guidance of the in-form Dennis Yip, with Zac Purton booked to ride. #7 Gorgeous Vitality thrives over the minimum trip and has been knocking on the door for a breakthrough Class 5 victory. #4 Super Elite drops back to Class 5, where he has the ability to make an impact, though the switch to 1000 meters poses a question.

Race 2: TURTLE COVE HANDICAP

#6 Manythanks Forever won convincingly last time out and has thrived since joining Chris So’s stable. A repeat performance is well within reach, especially having drawn barrier 1. #3 Flying Phantom has settled well into Class 5 and looks primed to break through after storming home into second over 1400 meters last start. Though drawn wide, Purton has ample time to find his position before the first bend. #14 Regency Happy Star ran a respectable race first-up for David Eustace, finishing fifth after being held up in the straight, suggesting his effort was better than it appears on paper. #8 Fireball scored a strong win over the mile last week, and if he copes with the quick back-up, he should be in the mix again.

Race 3: BUFFALO HILL HANDICAP

#4 Awesome Fluke faced a tough assignment last time out in the Jockey Club Cup (G2), where a wide run and an early move at the 1200-meter mark made for a forgettable effort. Dropping to this much easier contest, he has the ability to take up the running and rebound strongly. #9 Bravehearts has been thriving this season under Mark Newnham’s guidance and benefits from a drop in weight as he steps up to Class 2. The rise in distance is key to his chances. #7 Winning Dragon, a course-and-distance winner two starts ago where Awesome Fluke finished third, will appreciate the class drop after being outclassed in the Jockey Club Cup. #5 Romantic Thor has trialed impressively since his Hong Kong debut and looks well suited to the rise in distance.

Race 4: LUNG FU SHAN HANDICAP

#2 Endeared deserves a better winning record, having been one of the unluckiest horses in Hong Kong when it comes to barrier draws. He looks ready to secure another victory after several strong fast-finishing efforts, with Class 4 being his most productive grade. #10 Pearl Of Pang’s has the blinkers applied for the first time and showed marked improvement in a recent trial with the headgear. He looks primed to play a key role in the finish. #7 Great Spirit has yet to prove himself over 1400 meters but brings solid recent form from 1200-meter contests, and in a weaker race, he could perform better than his record suggests. #5 Shamus Storm, a newcomer to the David Hayes stable, has impressed in trials and is poised to run well on debut.

Race 5: HO CHUNG HANDICAP

#2 Masterofmyuniverse appears ready to break through third-up after finishing second in both runs at Happy Valley, and his most recent effort earned plenty of merit after starting wide from barrier 11. The switch to Sha Tin looks favorable, and a weaker race boosts his prospects. #7 Travel Golf is an intriguing contender on his second start for the Newnham stable. Although he finished 10th first-up, he was only beaten 3 1/2 lengths after settling at the rear from a wide draw, though he did hang in during the run. #3 Newborn Miracle showed improvement second-up when narrowly beaten by Triumphant More and should continue to progress. #6 Lucky Blessing, a three-year-old on his third career start, delivered a promising second-up performance, leading and finishing just over two lengths back in seventh. Further improvement is expected.

Race 6: LUK KENG HANDICAP

#4 Sunny Darling signaled he is ready to add another win to his tally with a close-up third last start when well-supported as the favorite. He rates as another leading chance here. #6 Mr Energia produced a solid effort last time out, flashing home late into fourth despite a wide draw and a race shape that didn’t suit. Returning to the all-weather, where he scored four starts ago, he looks well placed to bounce back in what appears to be one of the more open contests on the card. #8 Fortune Warrior showed a strong return to form last start, overcoming the widest draw to surge late and claim second place. Eustace seems to have revitalized him since taking charge. #1 Offroad Master, a recent winner second-up for the Cody Mo stable, has points in hand and commands respect in this line-up.

Race 7: LUNG FU SHAN HANDICAP

#1 Ballistic Win finds a prime opportunity to secure another victory against a modest field, with many rivals needing to improve. The addition of a handy five-pound claim under Ellis Wong and his tactical speed further enhance his prospects. #5 Forerunner was given a spell after a disappointing effort as a beaten odds-on favorite, but a return to his prior solid form would make him a strong contender. #3 Panda, though inconsistent, has shown promise, particularly with the Yip stable in excellent form following a successful night at Happy Valley. His recent third-place finish suggests he is nearing another win. #11 Dragon Four Seas is edging closer to a maiden victory and possesses the tactical versatility to feature prominently in this contest.

Race 8: BUTTERFLY BAY HANDICAP

#11 Cheval Valiant looks well placed to break his Class 3 maiden, likely dictating the pace on his own terms. Resuming off a trial win in sharp time at Conghua, he appears to be in excellent order. #6 Heroic Master is searching for his first victory in 452 days, but if the race tempo suits, he should get his chance. His runner-up effort to Fast Network two starts back stands out as strong form for this contest. #12 Grand Nova remains untapped and chases back-to-back wins after scoring impressively at the top of Class 4 last time out. #1 Healthy Healthy typically delivers an honest performance from a forward position and can factor in with favorable conditions.

Race 9: D'AGUILAR PEAK HANDICAP

#3 Full Credit had genuine excuses last start, knuckling at the jump and settling further back than usual. Despite that, he stormed home late to grab second, showing he’s not a one-trick pony. A strong trial since suggests he’s ready to bounce back to winning ways. #5 Packing Bole dictated terms superbly last time with the aid of a gear change and is likely to set another bold tempo, proving hard to peg back. #2 Gummy Gummy drops back to Class 3, a level where he has a solid record, and arrives fresh off a promising trial that signals he’s in fine form. #4 Self Improvement chased home Packing Bole strongly last start and is expected to deliver another competitive run.

Race 10: EAGLE'S NEST HANDICAP

#7 Markwin is a promising prospect for the Mo stable, with a potential tilt at the Hong Kong Classic Mile on the horizon. Chasing a hat-trick, this up-and-coming four-year-old looks primed to deliver again. #3 Beauty Crescent continues to run consistently, backing up quickly after a close second to Johannes Brahms last week. Though still a 24-start Hong Kong maiden, his form holds him in good stead. #2 Charming Legend made an impressive local debut two starts back, followed by a solid second to Markwin. He’ll need to bridge the 1 1/4-length margin but remains a genuine contender. #4 Lo Rider debuts for the Caspar Fownes stable. While likely to need more ground in the future, he’s one to watch as he develops.