Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 29th.
A 10-race card rounds out the year of racing in Hong Kong! We've highlighted some bets we're keen on throughout the day; find them here!
Sha Tin Racing Tips: Sunday, December 29th
This is a good race with a few chances. I really liked the debut performance of (7) Sparkling Star, who ran 3rd over this track and distance, beaten a touch under 2L. They went back from barrier 9 on that occasion, but he certainly caught the eye reeling off the fastest final 400m of the race (22.22sec). I'm hoping they are slightly more positive from barrier 8 today because if he's within striking distance on the turn, he's probably got the best finish in the race. Another horse that caught the eye last start was (10) Oversubscribed. He raced at Happy Valley last start, where he ran 6th, beaten 2.5L. He drew barrier 11 on that occasion and went back to a clear last before finishing very strongly. His final 400m was also the clear fastest of his race (22.30sec) and it's not easy to do what he did at Happy Valley. From barrier 5 he will be much further forward today and should give a bold showing. He's already been $8.00 into $5.00. Moreira was due to ride (3) Destine Jewellery but is out with the flu. Alexis Badel takes over the ride and he's the current favourite for the race. He ran well for 3rd on debut at this track and distance, but he did get every chance from a good draw. He draws barrier 11 today and while Size runners typically improve with each start, I'll be taking him on today. (11) Brilliant becomes a player after drawing barrier 1, which is a big advantage over 1200m here. I'll be backing Sparkling Star and saving on Oversubscribed.
Save: (10) Oversubscribed $5.00
Moreira was due to ride (11) This One's For You but is replaced by Keith Yeung, who was riding the horse prior to last start anyway. He's been right around the mark all prep and with any luck, surely goes close today. He's had foru starts this prep, placing in two of those, and the other two have been big runs as well. hen he ran 6th second up, he had very little luck in the straight but still ran home well. Then last start, he went back made a move at the 650m mark, came widest on the turn and made up a stack of ground to finish 4th, beaten 2.4L. Alex Lai rode him on that occasion and so the jockey change today is a positive. Drawn well in barrier 4, today should be his day with a good ride. The value could be Purton's mount (1) Clear Choice at $9.50. He's had three runs back from a spell and now drops into Class 4 for the first time this season. He's run well over this track and distance on the dirt before, Purton jumping on a class-dropper is always a huge sign, and he's drawn well. Definitely having something on.
Value: (1) Clear Choice $9.50
(11) This One's For You
$3.10
Again, zoning in on the Moreira (now Schofield) and Purton runners here, both former Australian horses. I don't usually go with a horse making its Hong Kong debut but (8) Kung Fu Fighter goes on top. He used to be trained by Patrick Payne in Australia and in his last prep, he showed plenty of ability. Now trained by David Hall, he's had three trials in readiness for his HK debut here, and Purton jumping on for this trainer at his first start is a big eye-catcher. Drawn well, I expect him to run very well. (2) Be Ready has had two runs in his first HK preparation and worked home nicely last start. Drawn awkwardly but with some more improvement he won't take long to win one.
(8) Kung Fu Fighter
$3.80
(12) Fantastic Show has put the writing on the wall with his recent performances and gets a big jockey change today, which should give him every chance of winning just his second race. He's had three runs back from a long spell. First up he drew wide, went back and finished off evenly, but his last two runs have been sensational. Second up he came from a clear last on the turn to run 3rd and basically did the same thing last start when being beaten a short-half-head. Drawn better in barrier 7 today, Grant Van Niekerk takes over from Alex Lai and if he's close enough on the turn, I expect him to win. Purton jumps on (6) Breeze Of Spring for Peter Ho, who he doesn't ride for often. The horse ran super first up but was a touch flat last start. Big jockey change with Zac replacing Callan (and previous to that Ben So). Drawn well, and can definitely win. Will bebacking Fantastic Show and saving on Breeze Of Spring.
Save: (6) Breeze Of Spring $4.20
(12) Fantastic Show
$4.20
Moreira was due to ride (5) Holy Heart to close out the day, but is replaced by Keith Yeung. This horse has flashed home in his past two starts and from a good draw today, surely goes very close to winning once again. He reeled off 23.74-22.97 for his final two sectionals last start, his final 400m being quite clearly the best of the race. He was beaten a head on that occasion, but from barrier 5 he can sit midfield and be close enough on the turn to pounce. He's never missed a placing at this distance and he meets a few horses he ran better than last start, so I expect him to be winning this with even luck.
