Templegate’s Sha Tin Tips: Your best bets for Sunday in Hong Kong as the action continues behind closed doors
SHA TIN
LIKE THAT took a big step forward from his debut when winning comfortably here over 5f last time out. There should be plenty more to come and he can confirm the form with Smiling Face.
Sunny Star has a good draw and showed plenty when winning on debut here last time. He has a penalty but should be right there again.
LEAP OF FAITH has Joao Moreira back on board for this return from a break. He went close a couple of times here earlier in the year and has every chance from a perfect stall two draw.
Zac Purton takes over on Armor Star who was a promising fourth on debut and should run well despite stall 11.
FULL POWER won well over course and distance in March before not getting home over further here last time out. He still looks on a fair mark and can get back to winning ways.
Monster Kaka is looking for his first win in Hong Kong but has improved lately and his rider’s claim could make the difference.
THANKS FOREVER went close in the Group 1 Chairman’s Cup here last time and will find this easier. It’s a while since he won but his quality can carry him home.
Hot King Prawn was just behind the tip in that hot contest last time. He won a big handicap two starts ago and has a handy draw over his favourite trip.
Waldorf has been consistent at Happy Valley and has place claims over his best distance.
Wishful Thinker is another dropping in grade from the Chairman’s Cup but he needs to improve against the big two.
GOOD LUCK FRIEND is a model of consistency having followed a good win here with a head-bobbing second last time out. This is a slight hike in class but he loves the course and distance.
Zac Purton has got off my fancy to ride Biz Power who was just under two lengths off the pace in a similar race last time. Stall nine isn’t ideal but he’s got every chance.
Hafeet Alain was a useful handicapper for Adrian Nicholls before moving to HK. He was last seen winning at Newmarket in November so watch for a market move on his debut out here.
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KINDA COOL could have had more luck of the draw but looked a nice prospect when finishing second on debut over 5f here 21 days ago. There should be a lot more to come and Purton is doing the steering.
Gallant Legacy got the job done well over course and distance latest and has every chance despite an 8lb rise in the weights.
XPONENTIAL has promising 10lb claimer Jerry Chau in the saddle and he’s been knocking on the door with a third and second heading into this contest. He likes this course and distance and comes from a handy low stall.
Yee Chong Pegasus is another consistent performer who will make a late bid under hold-up king Antoine Hamelin.
EXULTANT looks the one to beat after winning the prestigious Group 1 QEII Cup here last time out. He goes up in distance here but has won three of his five attempts going this far.
Furore chased him home last time with Eagle Way an unfancied outsider in third. That trio can confirm the placings.
Time Warp was a little unlucky in fifth and can get a bit closer today given he’s a past Group 1 winner over shorter.
Chefano was an easy Group 3 scorer here latest and has plenty of stamina. His staying power could steer him into the frame.
DEFINING MOMENT can give us a good run despite being in stall 12. He was even wider when scooting in here two runs ago before the step up in trip didn’t suit latest. He’s won two of his three starts over course and distance so should run well.
Enzemble has a cracking record at the trip and won here two runs ago before a close third latest. A repeat of that could be good enough.
Champion Supreme dug deep when winning over a furlong further here latest and can hit the places again.
World Famous is another who likes it here and is well drawn.
BEAUTY SMILE has been running well in strong races, including when a neck behind Fantastic Show here two starts ago. The form of that race looks really solid and he has much more to offer.
At a potentially big price, Prime Minister is worth a look on his Hong Kong debut. He’s very nicely bred and won four times from five runs in New Zealand. He has moved to a top yard and has been working well.
TRANSCENDANT has been snookered by car-park draws on his past two runs and finally gets better luck with stall eight here. He is proven in this class and has no issues with the trip. Joao Moreira takes over on board and can steer him home.
Glorious Spectrum went close over a furlong shorter last time and is rarely out of the frame. He won’t be far away, while Purton takes over on Happy Fun who has gone close a couple of times in similar contests lately. The champ was on board the last time he won in October.