Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Dec. 31

Ring in the New Year with racing from Hong Kong! Sha Tin stages a special holiday meeting, beginning at 11:30 p.m. ET Tuesday night. Luke Middlebrook furnishes his selections for the 11-race program that features a pair of Group 3 handicaps, the Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (G3) and Chinese Challenge Cup (G3).

Sha Tin Selections

Race 1: #5 Savvy Twinkle, #1 Fun Elite, #10 Spicy Spangle, #2 Riding High
Race 2: #2 Smashing Express, #12 Turtle Again, #1 Go Go Go, #3 Gluck Racer
Race 3: #12 Invincible Lucky, #1 The Boom Box, #9 Island Breezes, #2 Thriving Brothers
Race 4: #3 Magic Control, #2 Beauty Waves, #1 Howdeepisyourlove, #5 Harmony N Blessed
Race 5: #5 Brilliant Express, #1 Dragon Joy, #2 Fun Together, #4 Accolade Start
Race 6: #3 Yuen Long Elite, #5 Solid Win, #6 I Am The Boss, #12 Gale Saga
Race 7: #5 Flying Luck, #4 Beauty Alliance, #7 Legend St Paul’s, #6 Intrepid Winner
Race 8: #3 Red Lion, #6 Patch Of Theta, #1 California Spangle, #9 Green N White
Race 9: #11 Storming Dragon, #2 Chateauneuf, #8 Halo Of Success, #5 Majestic Express
Race 10: #10 Lifeline Express, #5 Romantic Son, #7 Know At Heart, #4 Prawns Eleven
Race 11: #3 Mickley, #2 Voyage Samurai, #5 My Wish, #8 Pray For Mir

Race analysis

Race 1: LAI CHI CHONG HANDICAP

#5 Savvy Twinkle has shown enough in trials to suggest he can make a winning debut for the Frankie Lor stable. A genuine pace should allow him to settle just off the speed and finish strongly late. #1 Fun Elite looks primed to deliver third-up after two solid runs this season, including a strong fourth last time. The rise to 1200 meters looks timely. #10 Spicy Spangle appears set to secure an uncontested lead and has the potential to dictate terms if left unpressured. #2 Riding High has slipped down the ratings, and his last-start fifth shows he is gradually finding his form in this class.

Race 2: YAU KOM TAU HANDICAP

#2 Smashing Express produced a strong third over the mile on his first attempt in the cellar grade last time out. Rising to 1800 meters and drawing barrier 1, he gets conditions to suit and looks well placed to finally break through for his maiden win. #12 Turtle Again has been catching the eye with late finishes and benefits from a jockey upgrade to Hugh Bowman. Despite being winless in 399 days, a solid trial in between runs suggests he is ready to figure prominently fourth-up, especially from a favorable low draw. #1 Go Go Go faces the challenge of a wide barrier but reunites with Zac Purton. With limited early speed on paper, Purton may opt to take the initiative and secure a forward position. #3 Gluck Racer steps into unknown territory at this distance but maps to enjoy a soft run from his inside gate. Harry Bentley should be able to time his move to capitalize on the gelding's turn of foot at the right moment.

Race 3: LAI CHI CHONG HANDICAP

#12 Invincible Lucky looks poised for marked improvement second-up for the in-form Mark Newnham stable after settling too far back in a slowly run race last time, where the tempo worked against him. #1 The Boom Box won impressively on debut and appears to have loads of potential. After overcoming the widest draw on his first start, he faces a similar challenge again here. A sharp trial between runs suggests he can continue his winning streak. #9 Island Breezes boasts several positives, including Purton in the saddle and barrier 1, which should see him well positioned near the pace with every chance after a forgivable second-up effort. #2 Thriving Brothers returned to form with a closing third last time despite a tough run. Well drawn here, he maps to secure a more economical trip and looks ready to capitalize now that he’s found Class 4.

Race 4: THE BAUHINIA SPRINT TROPHY (G3) (HANDICAP)

#3 Magic Control is an exciting sprinter on the rise for second-season trainer Cody Mo, last seen defeating Wunderbar in early November. The straight-track specialist looks primed to secure his first big-race success in Hong Kong following a dazzling trial in sizzling time ahead of this return. #2 Beauty Waves takes a significant drop in class after facing tough opposition in quality Group races, including the likes of Ka Ying Rising. His last win came four starts ago over Magic Control at this course and distance, and he remains a credible upset contender. #1 Howdeepisyourlove should thrive in the small field, where his sharp turn of foot can prove effective despite tackling the minimum trip for the first time. #5 Harmony N Blessed can make use of his front-running style and may give a sight. 

Race 5: LEI MUK SHUE HANDICAP

#5 Brilliant Express steps up to 1400 meters for the first time and appears poised to secure a maiden win after a series of promising placings over 1200 meters. A sharp trial victory between runs suggests he is in excellent condition, and Bowman should secure an ideal position from the mid-draw. #1 Dragon Joy chases back-to-back wins and has thrived since moving to 1400 meters, and while drawn wide, Purton will have plenty of time to find cover before the turn. #2 Fun Together is worth following now that he drops back into Class 4, a grade in which he has claimed three of his four career victories. Expect him to roll forward and dictate his own terms. #4 Accolade Start has shown little in 10 Hong Kong starts but resumes here for new trainer David Eustace. This will be only his second attempt in Class 4, and improvement should be anticipated.

Race 6: LEI MUK SHUE HANDICAP

#3 Yuen Long Elite benefits from a much better draw in barrier 4 after a tough run from a wide gate last time. With Purton sticking with him, he looks poised to return to winning ways. #5 Solid Win continues to progress towards a maiden victory. After two strong efforts over the mile, the drop back to 1400 meters should see him primed and fit to deliver. #6 I Am The Boss faded late into fourth over 1600 meters last time but will appreciate the return to 1400 meters, where his chances look stronger. #12 Gale Saga, on a quick six-day turnaround, returns to the course and distance where he scored impressively two starts ago. He was unsuited to the on-pace tempo at Happy Valley last week but wasn’t beaten far and could bounce back here.

Race 7: TSUNG PAK LONG HANDICAP

#5 Flying Luck was desperately unlucky last start, held up for clear running in the straight and only finding space late to close strongly into third when the race was effectively over. #4 Beauty Alliance, an emerging John Size-trained talent, defeated Flying Luck last time when everything fell into place from barrier 1. However, the dynamics shift here with a wide draw in barrier 14 and Brenton Avdulla replacing Purton. #7 Legend St Paul’s looks to end a string of three consecutive second-place finishes, and with Purton now taking the reins, he’ll have every opportunity to finally break through. #6 Intrepid Winner resumes first-up and could be a danger at odds, especially from an inside draw, ensuring a soft run over this trip.

Race 8: THE CHINESE CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (G3) (HANDICAP)

#3 Red Lion returns to his preferred distance, boasting an impressive record of seven wins from 16 attempts at 1400 meters. After five solid runs over the mile in competitive Group company, he finds a much easier assignment here. With Purton back aboard—the jockey who steered him to his last win—he looks primed to return to the winner’s circle. #6 Patch Of Theta, despite being out of the handicap, continues to improve and warrants respect in his current form. #1 California Spangle, while carrying top weight, is a class act. His high-level Group performances make him a major player, and the step up to 1400 meters looks perfectly timed after three strong efforts over 1200 meters this preparation. #9 Green N White should benefit from the drop back to 1400 meters following a better-than-it-looks effort over the mile last time out.

Race 9: CHA KWO LING HANDICAP

#11 Storming Dragon shapes as the leading winning chance, drawing barrier 1 with Purton back on board. He comes out of a strong form race, closing for fourth behind Aurora Lady at Happy Valley, and should get every chance here. #2 Chateauneuf’s seventh-place finish last start was better than it looks on paper, as he was held up at a crucial moment. A solid trial between runs suggests he’s ready to bounce back in an ideal contest. #8 Halo Of Success can improve second-up after a tough debut from a wide draw. His trial between runs was encouraging, but another wide gate could make things tricky. #5 Majestic Express was an unlucky third to Swift Ascend last time, having been held up in the straight. He may have finished closer than the one-length margin and warrants respect again.

Race 10: CHA KWO LING HANDICAP

#10 Lifeline Express has been knocking on the door this preparation, but his tardy starts have hampered his chances despite strong late finishes. With no real pace on paper, his hopes will hinge on a cleaner jump and Andrea Atzeni positioning him closer to the speed. #5 Romantic Son has the early dash to offset barrier 10, and Purton may look to take the initiative by either leading or sitting prominently. This race looks well within his grasp. #7 Know At Heart impressed on debut with a strong finish from a wide draw, and with a better gate this time, a more tactical ride could see him in contention. #4 Prawns Eleven is rarely far from the action and could sneak into the placings.

Race 11: CHUK YUEN HANDICAP

#3 Mickley, a promising Size-trained runner, secured his first Hong Kong win second-up in impressive style. He’s progressing nicely towards the Hong Kong Classic Series and looks ready to take another step forward. #2 Voyage Samurai faces a wide draw in barrier 11 but should cross with ease, and with Purton taking the reins, he’ll be tough to wear down. #5 My Wish has been in scintillating form, overcoming wide draws to land back-to-back wins. This marks his first attempt at the mile, and the in-form Newnham stable will have him primed for the challenge. #8 Pray For Mir gets a cozy run from barrier 1 and continues to show potential for the Mo yard.