Welcome to our horse racing preview and betting tips for racing at Sha Tin on Sunday, October 27th.
We've only got nine races on today's card and every race will be run on the all-weather track (dirt). We have an early start, with the first race set for 3.15pm AEDT.
Check out our best bets from today's card below!
Sha Tin Racing Tips: Sunday, October 27th
Best Bet: Race 6 - (2) Dollar Reward
Race 1
Average race to kick things off. (3) I'm The Conquist had no luck at all last start and may be able to improve here, he was good two runs back when finishing 3rd. (4) Roman Odyssey could be a chance at odds with Purton taking over from Ben So. The horse had no luck last start and that's a big jockey change third up from a spell. Not getting heavily involved early, there's better races to come.
Value: (4) Roman Odyssey $10
(3) I'm The Conquist
$3.80
Race 2
Pretty confident (9) Above goes close here. He motored home first up over 1400m on the turf course here and should be suited stepping up in trip to 1800m. He ran home in the second-fastest final 400m of the race last start. Last time he raced over this distance he won by 2.5L and although that was in weaker class, his first up effort suggests he's capable of winning in this class over this distance. Moreira takes the ride and draws well in barrier 3. I think the value is (2) Good Fit, who loves the dirt. He's got seven wins to his name on the all-weather track, including three at this distance. He's had two runs back now, drew wide last start but draws perfectly in barrier 6 today and he actually recorded a much faster final 400m than (1) Enfolding in the same race last start. Enfolding is becoming the biggest cat in Hong Kong, with five consecutive placings. He always runs well but just can't seem to get his head in front.
Race 3
I think it's well worth sticking with (5) Hidden Spirit here and the $4.40 on offer looks more than acceptable. He's won his past two starts, both at this track and distance, and he should improve today second up. He recorded comfortably the fastest final 400m of the race in his victory last start, so despite the rise in the weights, I think he's still off a very winnable mark, especially from barrier 4, which is the most successful barrier at this track and distance (15% winning strike rate). (3) Regency Gem has been on the receiving end of some poor rides this prep and hasn't had any luck. I've been very keen on him in his past couple of starts and he definitely rates as a great winning chance again today. (11) Master Bernini ran 2nd to Hidden Spirit last start and gets a small swing in the weights. Trainer Tony Millard has sent nine runners around on the dirt this season and only one of those has missed the top four. Moreira sticks with him so should go well again.
Race 4
Tricky little race. I'm going to put my faith in (4) Glorious Artist each way at $6.00. He was last seen running in the G1 Korea Cup, where he finished 4th. Makes his return to Hong Kong today and he goes very well on this surface, with three wins and three placings from seven starts on the all-weather track. Purton jumps aboard and last time he raced here he won by 2.5L with the champ aboard. (1) Elusive State looks the logical danger from the soft draw. He has five wins from 15 starts at this track and distance, but he's had a strange prep, kicking off at 1400m, then dropping to 1200m and now straight up tp 1650m. (7) Buddies has won four of his past six starts and now rises in class. Purton notably jumps off him to ride Glorious Artist. The Size runners (5) Raging Blitzkrieg and (8) Enrichment aren't hopeless on this surface.
(4) Glorious Artist E/W
$6.00
Race 5
Found this race very hard to get excited about. The only runner I could make a small case for is (1) Goldie Flanker at each way odds, but Ben So is in the saddle and that doesn't fill me with much confidence. This horse was beaten 9.5L first up, but he can do that. He finished in the same position first up last prep, and then came out and ran 2nd at his next start, which was over this track and distance. Add in the fact he drops from Class 3 to Class 4 today and draws well, and he looks a chance.
(1) Goldie Flanker E/W
$9.00
Race 6
Keen to stick with (2) Dollar Reward. It took him a while but he's suddenly found form, with two wins on the trot at this track and distance. Both have been in this class as well, and he showed a good turn of foot to score quite impressively last start. He recorded comfortably the fastest final 400m of the race in doing so, so he may be able to make it a hattrick today even despite the rise in weights. Purton sticks with him and he draws well in 3. (8) Fortune Happiness won well last start and looks the danger, but he does face a rise in Class today.
Race 7
(2) Silver Fig goes on top. He bolted in by 3L first up at this track and distance, and then ran home strongly into 3rd from the wide draw last start. Draws slightly awkwardly again in barrier 9 but he's never missed a place at this track and distance, so rates highly again. (3) Most Beautiful is at double figure odds and I'll be backing him. He's had two runs back from a spell and ran home well from the back of the field from a wide draw last start. Trainer Danny Shum has had 11 starters on the dirt this season, for four winners. (7) Team Fortune is knocking on the door.
Value: (3) Most Beautiful $12
Race 8
Another race I wasn't confident in, but (3) Good Beauty should be in the finish. He ran 3rd last start behind a good horse in Band Of Brothers. He should come on from that and he's drawn well again in barrier 3, which should allow him to sit on the speed. Purton takes over the ride and in an open race, he looks a solid chance. (4) Vigour Fame looks the obvious leader in a race with no tempo, which should enhance his chances on the dirt.
(3) Good Beauty E/W
$5.00
Race 9
(3) Coby Oppa is a good horse and he returns from a spell today. He won three races in his first campaign and all three were at this track and distance. In fact, he's had four starts over the 1200m on the dirt, for three wins and a 2nd. Trialled twice leading into today, Moreira goes on and he looks very hard to beat. (1) Encore Boy bolted in first up and although he's drawn awkardly again, he'd have to be rated highly after that performance last start. He takes a hike in the weights as a result of that win which is the query. (8) Utopia Life has opened his campaign with two 2nds over this track and distance. Draws the inside gate so should get his chance again. (10) Elite Patch ran 2nd to Encore Boy first up and gets a nice weight swing. Drawn well in barrier 2 and is a chance.
