Hong Kong: Selections for Sha Tin night of Feb. 8

Sha Tin’s Sunday card gets underway at 11:30 p.m. ET Saturday night, and Luke Middlebrook provides selections and analysis. 

Selections

Race 1: #5 Joyful Life, #13 Regency Happy Star, #1 Lucky Man, #2 Fight Time
Race 2: #12 Meepmeep, #2 Master Trillion, #9 Gallant Epoch, #5 Glory Cloud
Race 3: #14 Country Dancer, #3 La Forza, #1 Enjoy Golf, #10 Panda
Race 4: #6 Ocean Impact, #4 Good Luck Babe, #9 Goldentronicmighty, #1 Fun Together
Race 5: #3 Autumn Vibes, #6 Raging Rapids, #2 Ka Ying Resilience, #1 Great State
Race 6: #4 Flash Current, #2 Northern Fire Ball, #6 Sight Dreamer, #10 My Flying Angel
Race 7: #7 Light Years Charm, #12 Juneau Pride, #2 Aeris Nova, #1 Beauty Crescent
Race 8: #2 Raging Blizzard, #6 Gorgeous Win, #5 Magic Control, #3 Copartner Prance
Race 9: #8 Silvery Breeze, #4 Lo Rider, #3 Californiatotality, #14 Legend St Paul’s
Race 10: #6 Triumphant More, #4 Hong Lok Golf, #5 Call Me Gorgeous, #3 Majestic Express
Race 11: #2 Sky Trust, #3 Masterofmyuniverse, #4 Storming Dragon, #6 Equatorial

Race Analysis

Race 1: TVB LOK SIN TONG CHARITY CORNER HANDICAP

#5 Joyful Life resumes with a trainer change to Dennis Yip and has trialed well in preparation for his return. His form before the break was promising since dropping into Class 5, and a breakthrough win looks imminent. #13 Regency Happy Star has made significant strides since joining David Eustace, breaking through for his maiden win two starts ago before backing it up with a solid second-place finish last time. #1 Lucky Man steps into Class 5 for the first time, and his recent runs in Class 4 have been encouraging, rarely finishing far away. With Zac Purton taking the ride, he looks well-placed to finish in the money. #2 Fight Time drops into the cellar grade and is worth following now. If he can recapture the form that saw him finish runner-up to Master Mastermind four starts ago, he can make his presence felt.

Race 2: TVB YAN OI TONG CHARITY SHOW HANDICAP

#12 Meepmeep blundered at the start last time, losing ground before settling at the rear and running on well against the race shape. The step back up to 1400 meters looks a positive, and in an open race, he is right in the mix. #2 Master Trillion gets a jockey upgrade with Purton taking the ride and should benefit from a mid-draw after jumping from wide gates in his last three runs. He looks poised for improvement. #9 Gallant Epoch is building towards a win, and his third-place finish behind Another World two starts ago reads well in a race like this. #5 Glory Cloud resumes and signaled that a win was near in several runs earlier in the season, including a narrow defeat to Triumphant More two starts ago—form that has since proven solid.

Race 3: TVB YAN CHAI CHARITY SHOW HANDICAP

#14 Country Dancer is yet to win from 10 attempts, and Class 4 may prove a tough challenge, but his form has been trending upwards since breaking through in Class 5. His last-start third to Magnifique puts him right in contention. #3 La Forza is a promising three-year-old from the Jamie Richards stable, returning from a lengthy spell since last May. He may need the run, but his trials suggest he has come back in good order. #1 Enjoy Golf has found a niche over this course and distance, finishing runner-up in his last two starts. #10 Panda gets blinkers back on, the same gear he wore in his sole win at this course and distance. He has been running on well from off the pace in recent starts, and a good draw for the straight course brings him right into the mix.

Race 4: TVB TUNG WAH CELEBRITY SHOW HANDICAP

#6 Ocean Impact finds a suitable race on debut and has drawn ideally in barrier 1 to secure a soft run in transit. His trials have shown promise, and he is one to watch. #4 Good Luck Babe is gradually improving with more racing and a drop in the ratings. He went too hard in front last time, fading late into fifth, but a more measured ride can see him improve. #9 Goldentronicmighty ran an encouraging third to The Boom Box two starts ago. He was drawn wide last time and ridden quietly, finishing strongly into ninth, beaten four lengths. #1 Fun Together has early speed and can give a bold sight from barrier 3 after being used up from wide draws in his last two starts since returning to Class 4.

Race 5: TVB POK OI CHARITY SHOW HANDICAP

#3 Autumn Vibes has shown promise in multiple barrier trials leading up to his debut. Purton teams up with Richards for this The Autumn Sun gelding, and barrier 3 ensures a soft run where he will get every chance. #6 Raging Rapids can go close to breaking through second-up after an eye-catching debut, closing hard from well back to finish a close-up fifth. He should take a step forward with that run under his belt. #2 Ka Ying Resilience is a likely pacesetter who has trialed well between runs since his last-start 12th in a fast-run race. The switch to 1200 meters at Sha Tin should help him improve on that disappointing effort. #1 Great State drops into Class 4 for the first time, and some of his prior promising efforts in Class 3 suggest he can measure up well in this grade.

Race 6: TVB PO LEUNG KUK GALA SPECTACULAR HANDICAP

#4 Flash Current has drawn awkwardly out wide, but he is an interesting runner second-up for Jimmy Ting. He had no luck on debut, finishing eighth, beaten 2 1/2 lengths, after being held up in the straight until the race was effectively over. He deserves another chance. #2 Northern Fire Ball worked too hard early when chasing back-to-back wins last time, fading late into fifth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths. A kinder race shape looks likely here, and barrier 2 should allow him to bounce back. #6 Sight Dreamer has shown glimpses of ability in his trials leading up to his debut for John Size, and Purton taking the ride adds confidence. #10 My Flying Angel has been disappointing in Hong Kong so far but has slipped down the ratings. His first placing last start, finishing third to Sunny Da Best, suggests he could be trending in the right direction.

Race 7: TVB TUNG WAH CHARITY SHOW HANDICAP

#7 Light Years Charm has shown plenty of potential across his three Hong Kong starts and was desperately unlucky last time, badly held up in the straight before finishing a close-up third. He deserves another chance. #12 Juneau Pride is a promising three-year-old on the rise for Size and is poised to chase back-to-back wins as he moves up into Class 3 on a light weight. #2 Aeris Nova produced his best Hong Kong effort two starts ago when third to Super Legends but had no luck last time, finding himself tight for room late before finishing a close-up sixth. #1 Beauty Crescent remains a longstanding maiden in Hong Kong despite multiple chances, but he is reliable on a place line, having finished in the money 12 times from 20 starts.

Race 8: THE TVB CUP (HANDICAP)

#2 Raging Blizzard has emerged as a star sprinter this season and is chasing a hat trick of wins. He has been dominant in his last two victories and remains the one to beat on current form. #6 Gorgeous Win had to settle for second behind Raging Blizzard in two runs before franking that form with an eye-catching win last time. Barrier 2 should allow him to settle closer in the run and give Raging Blizzard something to chase. #5 Magic Control may find himself with an easy lead and should give a sight. He is expected to improve after fading to sixth behind Ka Ying Rising at Group 1 level last time in what was a fast-run race. #3 Copartner Prance returned to form with a strong third to Raging Blizzard last start and remains in contention, though his trial between runs raises some questions. However, he has a good draw, and Purton back in the plate is a bonus.

Race 9: TVB MIDLIFE, SING & SHINE 3 HANDICAP

#8 Silvery Breeze is appealing on the quick nine-day turnaround and has been honest in three runs since his surprise debut victory at long odds. Importantly, his chances are boosted by drawing an inside gate again. #4 Lo Rider reared at the start last time, lost significant ground, and effectively blew his chances, yet still stormed home late into seventh, beaten three lengths. He was an all-the-way winner over this trip in his final run in Ireland before import and should relish stepping up in distance third-up in Hong Kong. #3 Californiatotality oozes consistency as a four-time winner and three-time placegetter from 15 starts, making him hard to overlook. #14 Legend St Paul’s gets another chance after being held up for most of the straight last time in his first attempt at Class 3. With barrier 1 and clear running, a better showing is expected.

Race 10: TVB HEROES IN WHITE HANDICAP

#6 Triumphant More resumes off a 56-day let-up and rises to Class 3 after leading all the way at this course and distance to secure his second career win at just his third start. With little speed engaged on paper, he looks set to enjoy a soft run on the pace and has every chance to continue his winning ways. #4 Hong Lok Golf follows a similar path, also rising to Class 3 after going 2-for-2 in Class 4. The form around him is strong, and he is a horse on the rise. #5 Call Me Gorgeous is third-up in Hong Kong and has been dealt wide draws in both local runs. He closed off well for fifth behind The Boom Box last time and is heading in the right direction. A mid-draw should allow him to settle closer in the run. #3 Majestic Express rarely gets the best of barrier draws but is consistently in the mix and continues to build towards a second local win.

Race 11: TVB THE FADING GOLD HANDICAP

#2 Sky Trust was forced to jump from barrier 12 last start yet stormed home late to finish second behind Bundle Award, a strong form reference for this race. He has tactical versatility and is usually positioned closer to the speed. If he reverts to those tactics from pole position, he should be well placed to go one better. #3 Masterofmyuniverse is a rising talent from the Size stable with two wins from four starts, having strung together back-to-back victories. The step up to 1400 meters looks ideal, though barrier 14 presents a challenge. #4 Storming Dragon is yet to break through over 1400 meters but has finished runner-up twice from three attempts at the trip. He was last seen charging home for fifth after being ridden quietly from a wide draw, and his prior win suggests he remains a major player. #6 Equatorial showed improvement first-up last start but had excuses late, unable to be fully tested. His form appears to be trending upwards, and he could surprise at a price.