He Jiong
Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Saturday for an exciting 11-race card, with competitive action expected throughout the day.
The Class 3 Handicap over 1600m this Saturday shapes as a clash between two promising four-year-olds, both of whom could emerge as serious contenders in this season’s 4YO Series.
Highly regarded by trainer David Eustace, Dazzling Fit bounced back from a luckless first-up sixth—when badly held up late—to score a tenacious victory in this grade last time out. Despite travelling three-wide in midfield throughout, the son of Ribchester still found strongly in the straight to overhaul his rivals by a head over this track and distance.
Despite a rise in the weights, Dazzling Fit looks well placed to go on with the job while remaining in Class 3. However, Invincible Ibis looms as a major threat. Trained by Mark Newnham, the four-year-old is chasing a hat-trick of wins after making light work of a quality field on his Class 3 debut last start.
In-form four-year-old Fit For Beauty shapes as a leading contender in the Class 4 Handicap over 1600m.
Resuming from a let-up in mid-November, Fit For Beauty has continued to progress, recording a win and a second from his past two starts. The son of Vanbrugh broke through at this level with a comfortable one-length victory in his penultimate run, before producing another eye-catching effort last time out, flashing home late for second despite an awkward jump.
Given his racing pattern, the step up to 1600m looks ideal, and with champion jockey James McDonald retaining the ride, Fit For Beauty should prove hard to hold out.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Gale Saga boasts a strong Class 5 record and the drop in distance should work in his favour, with both wins recorded over 1400m. Circuit Fiery has shown consistent form of late and looks overdue for a maiden win. Double Show capitalised on an inside draw to score an easy last-start win, and a double would not surprise as he draws well again. Island Golden hindered by a wide draw last start, and with a favourable gate, he is expected to show improvement. Euro Rocks appears to be a lightweight chance and could place at long odds.
Race 2: Amazing Partners has trialled well for his debut, and an inside draw on the C+3 course gives him a solid chance of delivering a strong performance. Glaciated should map well from a favourable gate and be highly competitive given his solid recent form. Sunny Q suited by the drop back in distance and will make his presence felt with a genuine tempo. Ka Ying Warrior possesses tactical speed and will give them something to chase if he can cross early from a wide draw. Straight To Glory his last run was better than it looks and he could cause an upset with a smoother trip.
Race 3: Von Baer given his solid form in Class 4, he shapes as a leading contender dropping to Class 5, especially from a low draw. Rattan Galaxy was not beaten far last start and could surprise at odds on his Class 5 debut. Bling Bling Genius signalled his readiness after a fast-finishing second at his first attempt in Class 5 last time out. Only U with a good turn of foot, he will need a genuine pace to produce a strong finish. Zetta Force finished strongly from a wide draw last start, and with a better gate, further improvement is expected.
Race 4: Packing Glory an impressive debut winner, he looks to have scope and is primed for a double in Class 4, despite the weight rise. Alsonso will relish the drop in class and should play a key role in this below-par Class 4 field. Turquoise Velocity has shown tactical speed and won his last three trials, making him an intriguing newcomer to watch. Get Friendly led and stuck on well for third on debut, and with natural improvement, he must be respected. So My Folks should derive plenty of benefit from his debut run and improvement is expected.
Race 5: Emblazon resuming from a two-month break, his previous form suggests a commendable first-up run looks imminent. Pejibaye has been in great form of late and must be considered a strong contender, though the wide draw remains a concern. Malpensa has shown ability in trials, and with Purton aboard, he looks one to watch on debut. Great Spirit let down well to finish second last start, and with a better gate, he could go one better. Ka Ying Resilience a natural frontrunner, he could be hard to run down if allowed an uncontested lead.
Race 6: Nyx Gluck has trialled well since his fast-finishing third last start, and with J-Mac staying aboard, he looks a standout from a low gate. Bright Day raced wide last start, and with a more economical run likely from a better gate, he could make amends. Gallant Epoch suited by the drop in distance and expected to produce a strong on-pace showing. Packing King well prepared with several trials for debut and the betting market should provide the best guide. California Bay a maiden runner with mixed form, he is worth considering if his odds present value.
Race 7: Fit For Beauty flashed home late into second despite a tardy start last time out. With a clean jump, he’s primed to go one better. Smart Fat Cat narrowly missed in a slowly run race last start, and with Purton staying board, he is well placed to make amends. All Round Winner had excuses last start (raced wide) and should show improvement with better luck in running. Amazing Duck led most of the trip and stuck on for third last start. He could make all if allowed to dictate the pace. Audacious Pursuit scored a tenacious win in this class last start, but the wide draw poses a challenge this time.
Race 8: New Future Folks ran a close second in a race with franked form last time out. He is worth considering despite an awkward draw. Celestial Hero suited by the rise to 1200m after finding the line well late over 1000m first-up. Akashvani held up at a crucial stage last start, and could bounce back with a smoother run. Lifeline Express may have needed his first-up run and could show improvement with added fitness. Super Legends showed improvement when making all in a recent trial and looks a value pick.
Race 9: Bottomuptogether attacked the line strongly late last start and should go close to winning if he re-adopts his usual positive racing style. Crimson Flash appears well weighted to extend his excellent form, despite meeting a strong field. Lady’s Choice should produce an improved effort after rising to a more suitable distance. Patch Of Stars defied the wide draw and rise in class to score on his Class 2 debut last time out, but has to cope with another awkward gate. Gorgeous Win caused an upset last start and should run well again with a genuine tempo.
Race 10: Sky Joy a highly progressive four-year-old, he overcame a wide trip to score a strong win last start and is poised to secure a double despite drawing wide again. Master Of All with his positive racing style, he could hang in there all day under the right race shape. Silo caught the eye with a slashing third first-up, and with J-Mac remaining in the saddle, he shapes as a strong contender. Kempes was far from disgraced last start and could finish in the money with a smoother trip. Do Your Part has drawn well and remains a solid chance, despite rising back to Class 3.
Race 11: It looks a race between two promising four-year-olds. Dazzling Fit defied a wide trip to score a tenacious win last start. He should play a key role with J-Mac aboard. Invincible Ibis has drawn well and, with Purton engaged, looks primed to complete a hat-trick. Brilliant Express held up in the concluding stages last start and deserves another chance, given his strong Class 3 record. Fortune Boy likes to get back and charge home late. He will make a strong late surge if the pace suits. Anode has mixed his form of late but could place at long odds if things fall his way.
This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.
