Sha Tin 25th January Tips

HONG KONG RACING SUNDAY 25 JANUARY G1 MEET

SHA TIN

Hong Kong Wrap Up

Looks like a great card today with two Group One races and some very special runners engaged. Race 7 and Race 8 are both Group One races and I am sure you will get a thrill out of these two races. Peniaphobia just continues to improve and looks a very exciting type but may not have it all his own way today as he has drawn a touch wide over this course and Amber Sky should lead them out and if not pressured too much will make a race of it at nice odds. In the other G1 we have Able Friend which will most likely be unbackable as his form in winning last start is extremely hard to go past. However he may not get the same fast pace as last start which should make things a bit closer. Enjoy the day and the very special racing at Sha Tin in Hong Kong and get amongst the winners and the exotics.

 

Track and Conditions: Turf B+2 Course with the exception of Races 1-3-6 which will be on the All Weather Dirt Track. Track will be rated well on both surfaces.

Expected Weather: Cloudy with one or two rain patches and a top temperature of 18 degrees. Wind will be from the east gusting up to 40 Km/h at times which will cause a cross wind from east to west but also pushing up the straight causing a headwind. This will assist on paced runners as the wind should be fresh providing a tail wind down the back straight. 

Best Bet: Race 10 No 9 Brilliant Shine

Best Value: Race 7 No 2 Amber Sky

Exotic Races: Race No’s 7-8-9-10

Quaddie:-

Race 7:1-2-5-7 Race 8: 1 Race 9: 6-5-12-2 Race 10: 9-11-14-12

 

Race 1: — Time: 8.00am GMT—Distance: 1650m—Class 5 – AWT

Top Pick: No 1 Glorious Avenue

Value Selection: No 5 Croatia

Exotic Inclusions: No 4 Follow The Wind and No 2 Mister Marc

Race Overview

Glorious Avenue Dropped back to this class for the first time last start and almost got away with it. Meets Croatia 5 Lbs better at the weights this time and there does not look much between them. I expect they will attempt to get cover from their wide gates and bring it home over the concluding stages. Glorious Avenue retains Zac Purton in the saddle who will be looking for a big day today. Croatia dropped back to this class late last season and has shown improvement this season. Prefers this surface and recorded a nice win last start over this distance and surface and still looks weighted ok at his point. Not drawn great in gate 9 but this is a class five and will get his chance once again today.

 

Race 2: — Time: 8.30am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 5 Golden Scalpel

Value Selection: No 6 Towering Storm

Exotic Inclusions: No 11 Money Café-No 7 Oxford Charlie / No 1 Percy Jackson

Race Overview

Golden Scalpel has been going very well for Joao Moreira lately and has put together two very nice runs which resulted in him winning over the 1800m last start at Sha Tin. Closed off very well on that occasion indicating that he may be very well suited over this distance today and he should be well positioned in the running to suite. Towering Storm will have no problem with this distance and has not been too far away lately but will need to find cover from gate 13 and if so can get himself into the finish once again. Retains regular hoop in Neil Callan in the saddle and should be at each way odds here. Percy Jackson Is dropping back in class today and that has to help you would think in a fairly ordinary class four. Carries top weight but has run well over this distance at class three so he does look a bit of a chance here. Drawn well and should get a nice trail in the running and he does have a senior hoop in Douglas Whyte in the saddle today which has to be a bonus. Going to throw him in as my BOLTER today.

 

Race 3: — Time: 9.00am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 4 Real Fit

Value Selection: No 1 Hello Kimberley

Exotic Inclusions: No 11 Kingston Jumbo and No 8 Bee There Ahead

Race Overview

Real Fit appeared to have excuses two starts back and came out and ran a very nice 2nd last start on this surface. Comes up with a nice draw today in gate four. Only up 2 Lbs and retains Douglas Whyte in the saddle. Looks a real chance on his last start performance. Hello Kimberley does seems to like this surface and has been very consistent on the dirt. Been up to class three for a bit of a look but certainly looks much better suited today at class four even with top weight. Zac Purton in the saddle and looks a good chance here.

 

Race 4: — Time: 9.30am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 12 Unique Happiest

Value Selection: No 1 Sunny Pearl

Exotic Inclusions: No 4 Solar Kingdom and No 7 Tones

Race Overview

Unique Happiest has gone very close at his last two starts over this distance and has came up with the rails draw today which should see him well positioned in the running as there will be plenty of pace on here and he should slot into a nice rails position. Gets a senior hoop in Brett Prebble in the saddle today which you would expect will certainly help. Sunny Pearl has been bouncing up and down at class four and class three recently and does look much better suited today at this class. Comes up with a nice draw in gate five and should get a nice trail in the running and he does retain Mattie Chadwick in the saddle as well. Certainly looks a nice chance today and the distance does suite. Expected to be at nice each way odds.

 

Race 5: — Time: 10.00am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 7 Shining Champion

Value Selection: No 3 Gentilis

Exotic Inclusions: No 10 Lucky Day and No 2 Our Folks / 9 Why Why / No 14 Super Talent

Race Overview

Shining Champion has been very consistent this season. Just got up last start over this distance at this class and still looks well weighted today. Comes up with a very nice draw in gate five and retains his last start winning  hoop as well  and appeals as another very good chance here. Gentilis has been very consistent since arriving in Hong Kong with the exception of a couple of runs. One being last start when he did not settle prior to jumping and had a fair few issues in the running and featured strongly in the steward’s report. Can certainly get back on track here and has Zac Purton back in the saddle today for the first time this season. Can certainly turn things around today.

 

Race 6: — Time: 10.30am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 1 Autumn Gold

Value Selection: No 14 Rock The Tree

Exotic Inclusions: No 8 Supreme Fresh and No 10 Scimitar

Race Overview

Do not like this race at all, far too much inconsistent form, maybe Autumn Gold with the class drop today as he has been doing all his racing at Class two this season and although well beaten on most occasions the last time he raced at this class and distance he did win with the same weight he carries today and it was also on this surface. Has not got great early speed but just the same should get into a nice position in the running. Looking at Jockey moves we can see that Gerard Mosse has opted for Supreme Fresh today which also appeals as a good chance as he has been consistent this season and never far away over these type of distances. Should get a nice run in transit and still looks nicely weighted. Rock The Tree has been going along well this season at class four and deserves another crack at this class and will trot around with just 111 Lbs on his back after the claim. Appeals as a bit of value.

 

Race 7: — Time: 11.00am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 1 Peniaphobia

Value Selection: No 2 Amber Sky

Exotic Inclusions: No 5 Bundle Of Joy and No 7 Smart Volitility

Race Overview

Peniaphobia has been in sensational form this season and can go very close to chalking up another quality race. Just missed in a G1 sprint last start and has to be the one to beat here today at set weights. Only queary is that he has drawn the widest gate but should be able to negate that in a eight horse field and is certainly expected to be in the finish here. Amber Sky does look much better suited over this distance as he has speed to burn early and his gate speed is very good. Should lead here and they will need to chase him down over the concluding stages as he has came up with a very nice draw. Certainly appeals at each way odds.

Race 8: — Time: 11.35am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 1 Able Friend

Value Selection: No 4 Ambitious Dragon

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Gold-Fun and No 3 Blazing Speed

Race Overview

Able Friend has been on fire over this distance this season and made very easy work of it last start at G1. Has to be the one to beat once again at set weights after toying with them under similar circumstances last start. Have to throw in Ambitious Dragon here with a bit of a chance and he will be at nice each way odds as well. Now an eight year old who has came back after some setbacks but just loves this distance and certainly has to go in as the value and an exotic inclusion in a race which does look a bit void of early pace.

 

Race 9: — Time: 12.10pm GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 6 Eioico

Value Selection: No 5 Longwah Amber

Exotic Inclusions: No 12 World City and No 2 Ovett

Race Overview

Eroico went very close last start at this class over this distance and actually drops 1 Lb today and has drawn the rails as well. Retains Joao Moreira in the saddle and does appeal as a good hope once again today. Longwah Amber got right back on track last start with a good start to finish win over this distance and still looks well weighted today. He drew the rails last start and bounced very well but will have to content with gate 10 today but if Brett Prebble can get him into a good position he can certainly run well here.

 

Race 10: — Time: 12.45pm GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 9 Brilliant Shine

Value Selection: No 11 High And Mighty

Exotic Inclusions: No 14 Pikachu and No 12 Universal Union

Race Overview

Brilliant Shine is really jumping out of his skin this season after winning his last two races at this class. Has certainly improved out of sight and does deserve a go at this class today. Gets a 5 Lb drop in the weights but thought he would get a touch more. However has came up with a very nice draw and should get a very nice trail in the running . High And Mighty Does look the danger here and has only had the three starts in Hong Kong but already looks a very nice type suited to these conditions. Has Brett Prebble in the saddle once again today and certainly has appeal if he stays at current each way odds. Up in class but gets a 14 Lbs drop in weight and certainly appeals as the weight runner here from gate 6. Being the last race on the card I feel we have to look at a bit of value as two of the Quaddie races do look to lack value so let’s have a look. There is a bit to like about the lower weighted runners in this race. Universal Union goes up to this class for the first time today but his Class three form has been excellent and drops 14 Lbs with the class rise. Drawn wide which is a bit of a concern but has the weight off his back to make a go of it here. Pikachu  also goes up to class two today after winning at class three last start all be it by a very small margin. Gets 12 Lbs of his back today but has drawn wide. Have the feeling there will be a fair bit of pace in this race which may help and he does come across as a nice type over this distance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sha Tin Hong Kong Racing Preview

Our resident Hong Kong racing expert has put together his race by race previews for Sundays Sha Tin card. If you’re based in Europe you can place bets via Bet365 via their international section.

Most interestingly for European horse racing fans is Dundonell running in race 3. This former Roger Charlton trained individual won a Group 3 and listed contest in the UK before being sold off to Hong Kong, as well as a creditable 4th in the Breeders Cup Turf in 2012.

Race 1 – Top Pick:                      –    No. 10 Ah Bo – P
Value Selection:          –    No. 1 Blizzard – T
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 7 One More World – P and No 4 Lean Journey

Race 2 – Top Pick:                      –    No. 2 Mellifuent
Value Selection:          –    No. 1 Good Luck Boy – T
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 5 Faithful Boy and No 13 Excitable Boy / No 8 Timely Arrived

Race 3 – Top Pick:                      –    No. 1 Dundonnell – T
Value Selection:          –    No. 4 Tour De Force
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 7 Guru’s Dream and No 5 Kabayan

Race 4 –Top Pick:                      –    No. 1 Jun Ju – T
Value Selection:          –    No. 9 Everyone’s Choice – T
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 5 Kids And Win and No 2 King On Earth – B

Race 5 – Top Pick:                      –    No. 9 King Of Patch
Value Selection:          –    No. 1 Health Wise
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 2 Born To Win and No 5 Supreme Profit

Race 6 – Top Pick:                      –    No. 2 Dashing Fellow – T
Value Selection:          –    No. 1 Demokles
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 3 Unique Joyous and No 12 O’Socoole

Race 7 – Top Pick:                      –    No. 5 System Overload – P
Value Selection:          –    No. 10 Top Act – P
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 6 Industrailist Way – T- P and No 11 So Caffe / No 4 Level Player – P

Race 8 – Top Pick:                      –    No. 1 Divine Calling – T
Value Selection:          –    No. 10 Gaint Treasure – T
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 3 Beauty Only and No 8 Appinati – P

Race 9 – Top Pick:                      –    No. 8 Radiand Bunny – T
Value Selection:          –    No. 2 Big Four
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 12 Thunder Flyer – P and No 10 Short Squeeze – P

Race 10 – Top Pick:                      –    No. 7 Got Fly – T – P
Value Selection:          –    No. 1 Packing Llaregyb – T
Exotics Inclusions:     –    No. 5 Ashkiy
r – T and No 2 Winning Leader – P

Want 4/1 on Sprinter Sacre today?

Quite simply the best horse in training in 2013. Sprinter Sacre set the jumps world alight with sensational performances that regularly saw him going off at long odds on in every run. In fact, on his last 9 runs he’s gone off at 4/9, 4/5, 1/6, 2/5, 1/5, 1/4, 3/10, 1/9, 2/9.

In the 3pm at Ascot today he makes his long awaited return after having heart complications. The Nicky Henderson trained animal is apparently looking as good as ever. Even if Sprinter Sacre is 80% ready, he’ll take all the beating later today.

At 8:30am today Coral are enhancing Sprinter Sacre to 2/1 for £10. He’s currently 10/11 to win the race. So that’s more than double the odds!

Heres how to get 4/1*:

  1. Sign up to Coral here
  2. Take Coral up on their 2/1 offer
  3. Head to the 3pm at Ascot and put your £20 on Sprinter Sacre to win
  4. Watch the worlds best horse win and enjoy your returns of £48.18

*It’s actually just below 4/1 due to Sprinter Sacre currently being 10/11, it could drift to 1/1, which means you’ll get 4/1, which is entirely possible!

Enjoy the winnings!

£5 returns £355 on our 70/1 best bet over Christmas

Fancy 71/1 on a 14/1 horse? Want to potentially win £355 from £5 if this hotly tipped horse wins for us? Sure you do. That’ll pay for Christmas no? That Xbox One you purchased for your son, all paid for!

On Saturday the 27th the main race of the day takes place in Ireland, the Dial-a-bet chase. This is a 2 mile 1 furlong jumps race taking place as Leopardstown at 13:20pm. The horse in question is Bright New Dawn. This horse has been well backed from 20/1 to 14/1 in the last few days and will go off single figures for the big feature race!

The shrewdest of shrewd punters have been tipping him up in the lead up to Christmas, and for a £5 bet to win £355, we’re onboard with this gamble.

How to get £355 back from £5

  • Head to Winner and open an account 
  • Then go here
  • Put £5 on Bright New Dawn, once the bet is placed you’ll receive your £20 free bet
  • Put £20 free bet on Bright New Dawn
  • Cheer on the horse to victory (hopefully!)

 

Bet365 Gold Cup Preview

Without wishing to sound like an old fuddy-duddy, the Bet365 Gold Cup still needs translating to the Whitbread Gold Cup to understand its significance. Sponsors come and go but certain races like the Hennessy have a fixed place in the National Hunt calendar and the Whitbread is the traditional end-of-season staying chase.

It’s been a while since it has captured the imagination like it used to with the likes of Diamond Edge, Special Cargo and Mr Frisk, but it can still produce a thrilling climax to the National Hunt season. We are now paying for the fine bank holiday with a return to miserably wet weather and the going is currently good to soft at the Esher track. It shouldn’t change too drastically so there won’t be any excuses on account of the ground.

Godsmejudge missed his appointment at Aintree this season after a couple of disappointing displays but bounced right back to his best in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr. He couldn’t quite provide us with a winner there but ran right to the line to finish second and must have sound claims tomorrow. Wayne Hutchinson is back on board and my only reservation is that the race is quite soon after his last effort.

Bury Parade is worthy of consideration but he has been raised again by the handicapper for a defeat last time. He ran on strongly to finish second and hasn’t shown any signs of his refusal to race earlier in the season. I’m just going to pass him over on account of his big weight.

Many of the others are on a retrieval mission after failing at Aintree or Cheltenham including Burton Port and Hadrian’s Approach. Burton Port was backed for the Grand National but got no further than the second fence. It is interesting to see AP McCoy back on him here but I’m not convinced that his second in the veterans’ chase showed him to be back to his best.

Spring Heeled foiled our selection, Cause Of Causes, at the festival and has a 9lbs penalty for that victory. I’m not sure that it will be soft enough for Rigadin De Beauchene but it may be worth having a saver on Same Difference. He was second here a year ago, although that did follow a win at Cheltenham. He has been a long way short of his best this season but his fifth last time suggested he could be on the way back.

Godsmejudge at 12-1 BetVictor

Same Difference at 10-1 Bet365

Sandown Friday Preview

The Gordon Richards Stakes card at Sandown has been given something of a revamp and has attracted a fine quality card for Channel 4 viewers on Friday.

The star of the show is Telescope who reappears in the feature event for Sir Michael Stoute. Last season he was hyped out of all proportion before and after the Derby but proved himself a quality colt when winning the Great Voltigeur at York.

The original plan had been the Epsom Derby but a rushed preparation failed to get him ready in time. He then won at Leicester by 24 lengths before failing at odds-on at Haydock. Stoute felt that his critics were hard on him at the time and must have revelled in his York victory. Whether he can be another Harbinger is open to question but I’d be disappointed if he cannot win this.

There is a cracking field in the Bet365 Mile and I cannot split Garswood, Montiridge and Top Notch Tonto. The latter’s prospects will increase if the rain keeps falling while Garswood is yet to fulfil his true potential. Richard Fahey couldn’t seem to settle on his best trip last season and this is his first tilt at a mile since the 2000 Guineas.

Montiridge travels so easily in his races but does not always find a lot in the closing stages. You just can’t help but love Top Notch Tonto with his white legs! It is like watching one of those old westerns when he comes galloping through. I’m going to pass on this one but all three will win races this season.

Gosden and Buick are continuing on their merry way and I expect Western Hymn to boost his Derby prospects with a win in the Classic Trial. I like Newbury as a track for spotting future winners and there was plenty to like about the way he knuckled down to win there last time. Truth Or Dare and Sir Jack Layden have the best form in the book but both are well exposed. I’d be more worried about Red Galileo stepping up on last year’s form but Western Hymn should give us a nice double with Telescope.

Channel 4 are also showing the Esher Cup at 1.40 and there are a couple of horses for your notebook here too. Sacred Act and End Of Line both hold Group 1 entries and the market will be a good guide to their respective chances.

Telescope at 11-10 Paddy Power

Western Hymn at 4-6 Bet365