This Saturday sees a competitive 11-race card from Sha Tin on both the turf and All-Weather tracks get underway at 9.00am - live on Sky Sports Racing. The feature of the meeting is race 8, the Class 2 Peacock Handicap over 1m, offering more than £310,000 in prize-money.

Now onto this week’s selections...

Race 1: Sunbird Plate Maiden Stakes (9.00am) (5f)

7 QUANTUM WUKONG ran better than the bare result when fourth on debut over 6f and although nearly three lengths in arrears that day, he was snagged back to near last from a high draw and was then hampered when taken wide around the bend by a rival.

The drop back to 5f doesn’t look the most obvious move and is probably more to do with race scheduling, but the small field certainly helps if they elect ride cold again, he’s entitled to come on for the debut effort and is well drawn.

Dangers:

6 Jedi Spurs is a debutant that has won his two trials when making all on both occasions, he’s from a yard that likes to have them ready to roll and a market watch is strongly advised.

1 Chancheng Sparkle was one spot behind the selection on debut when they made their runs from similar positions and like his rival that day, he ran through the line with a bit of purpose despite some traffic problems in the straight.

4 Sharp Planet was well held over 6f last time when he hung and as a result was forced to race wide throughout, but he was runner-up over 5f on debut the start prior and should enjoy returning to the straight course.

Race 2: Class 5 Shearwater Handicap (9.30am) (6f)

3 ROBOT KNIGHT has recorded two wins and both have been on the dirt track including over this trip last time for which he goes up 6lb, but he’s only had a handful of starts on the turf, running well enough in defat a couple of times, including when picking up third spot over course and trip at his penultimate start.

The selection is currently on a mark of 39, but he won at a level above this from 4lb higher last season. Whilst he doesn’t have to lead, he does like to punch forward and should have all the favours from the inside draw.

Dangers:

8 Country Dancer has won just two of 29 starts but he’s a late closer in a race with a decent gallop on offer and he drops a further 2lb in the handicap to sit 6lb below his last winning mark.

4 Always Fluke has been a tad underwhelming his last two, but one of those was on yielding ground and he had placed from higher marks in three of his previous four starts this season.

6 Crazy Treasure is a low-mileage maiden placed his last two, but he’s had a few setbacks and hasn’t been seen since September 2024, however, he moved nicely when placed in a recent trial and a market watch is advised.

Race 3: Class 4 Swan Handicap (10.00am) (7f)

1 FLASH CURRENT has gone winless this season, but he takes a drop in grade having contested some solid Class 3 races with his best result being when runner-up in a race that has seen plenty of subsequent winning form to a rival now rated 28lb superior that he was only getting 1lb from.

The selection was last seen at this level in June of last year when winning over course and trip, and with the 2lb local allowance claim, he effectively runs from a 1lb lower mark. The one concern is that they usually like to ride him cold and there’s no more than a modest gallop on offer, but he draws low and he does enjoy this trip.

Dangers:

9 Francis Meynell, who was a twice winner for Michael O’Callaghan, is yet to open is local account in 16 starts, but he has been gradually improving, runner-up in two of his last three including last time when he punched forward, and they may look to go from the front here.

4 Sky Deep is low-mileage four-year-old that opened his account over course and trip in March of last year but wasn’t seen again until earlier this month when held but running well enough in defeat, and he should come on plenty for that.

11 Mighty Fighter is a thrice-raced maiden that shaped with a bit of promise when picking up the bronze over 6f last time and although well held by the first two that day, he did give the impression the step up to this trip would suit.

Race 4: Class 4 Flamingo Handicap (10.30am) (1m 1f)

14 ON THE LASH placed once in 15 starts during his first two seasons but has now won three times this campaign, including over course and trip last time for which he goes up 6lb which sees him moving up in grade.

This will be his first time at this level since December 2024 when he was in no form at all, and this does present a tougher challenge. However, whilst he doesn’t have to lead, he does like to punch forward, he goes from the very foot of the handicap with a 10lb claim, which sees him in receipt of 12-25lb from his rivals, and he may have a bit more to offer.

Dangers:

2 Enthralled doesn’t do much winning but he’s an honest type that goes up 2lb for a nose defeat in second over 10f last time and although now toward the top of the handicap, he has won and been placed from higher marks in the past.

6 Absolute Honour, who was a twice winner (when known as Surpass) for Aidan O’Brien, hasn’t lived up to that early promise, but he did break his local duck over the mile two back before a solid effort in defeat when placed over this trip last time and Zac Purton sticks solid.

9 Amazing Gaze is a maiden after 11 starts but he has shown signs of ability a few times and although unplaced over course and trip last time, he was only beaten just over a length and is worth including in exotic type bets.

Race 5: Class 4 Sand Martin Handicap (11.00am) (6f) (Dirt)

3 HAPPY SHOOTER, who opened his account over this trip on the turf track in February, was last seen when unplaced at Happy Valley and although he’s now had 12 starts for that solitary success, he ran with merit his only go on this track when runner-up over this trip last month.

On that occasion he finished less than a length behind a rival that was recording his third win on this surface during current campaign, with the first two well clear of the others. Whilst a couple of the likely market principles have high draws or try this surface for the first time, the selection should have all the favours, probably behind the leaders, from stall 2.

Dangers:

1 Juicy Dragon recorded his second win on this track in his last four starts when dotting up over this trip last time but, although it’s impossible to argue, he does go up 9lb for that and is now at the top of the handicap.

5 One Man Show, who won a maiden his only start in Australia, is yet to open his local account in 10 goes, but he has been placed on this track three times, including when runner-up on his most recent start, and he’s perfectly drawn for a pace runner.

2 Pejibaye, who returns after a setback, is a promising four-year-old that will be having his first start since finishing runner-up on the turf at Sha Tin last December and although he’s never raced on this track, he did win when last seen on the dirt in a trial.

Race 6: Class 4 Swan Handicap (11.30am) (7f)

7 POLAR PATCH loses the services of Purton, which is always a slight concern, but the Mark Newnham three-year-old maiden has shaped with a bit of promise when picking up the bronze his last two starts, the most recent which was over course and trip when he was doing his best work late.

He never threatened the first two that day, but the run can be marked up as it was a pace dominated race with the selection the only runner to make up any notable leeway on the first two. Although we lose Purton, we gain a 2lb claim, plus a 1lb drop in the handicap.

Dangers:

1 Meaningful Dragon was having just his second start since July last year, defying market expectations when winning over course and trip last time and although now at the top of the handicap under a 6lb penalty, he’s a scopey type entitled to come on further for that.

6 Romantic Laos is a hard-knocking seven-year-old that doesn’t do a lot of winning these days, but he’s run well enough in defeat a few times as he continues to descend the handicap, and he should have a gun run from the low draw.

11 Gorgeous Green, who gains the service of Purton, is yet to open his account in seven goes but he has shaped with some promise including when placed over course and trip last time and he should have more to come.

Race 7: Class 4 Anser Handicap (12.05pm) (6f)

3 SUPERB SPIRIT was a beaten favourite on debut but made amends last time when winning over course and trip having once again been heavily supported. Along with the selection, three of the next four home all line up here, thus, it very much looks the best form pointer for this.

The Francis Lui three-year-old finished less than a length in front of Lucrative Eight that day and purely on numbers, the runner-up would be entitled to turn the form around on 6lb better terms. However, the selection took a moment to get going but was strong through the line, suggesting he has plenty if improvement to come, and he should have the gun run from the low draw.

Dangers:

6 Lucrative Eight has been placed all three starts including when runner-up to selection last time who he meets on 6lb better terms, and he did cut the breeze outside the leader that day and like the selection, he’s open to further improvement.

1 Island Buddy was third behind the top two selections last time, thus we are hoping for a repeat, but he went from the front that day, he’s well drawn to do exactly the same here, and a change of rider sees him on 2lb better terms with the second and 8lb with the winner.

7 Incredible Moment, who opened his account at his penultimate start, was fifth behind the selection last time and whilst I don’t see why he would turn the form around, he is now on 7lb better terms.

Race 8: Class 2 Peacock Handicap (12.35pm) (1m)

3 PACKING ANGEL has always shown plenty of ability and looked set for a big future when closing out last season beaten a nose third in the Derby despite a campaign that was mostly centered around shorter trips. However, he had to have bone chips removes from both knees after that and was off for 10 months.

It has taken a few spins to get him right, with the selection running with merit in defeat when third at Sha Tin three back before recording his first win since January 2025 over the mile at Happy Valley at his penultimate outing. He was then fourth last time in what was a strong Class 2, but he was ridden cold and the race was run outside standard turning into a sprint home, thus the run can be marked up, and he should get a stronger gallop to aim at here.

Dangers:

1 Sagacious Life, who was a Grade 1 winner in Brazil, on the back of a couple of quick local wins, was the pick of Purton in the first two legs of the Classic Series, and although things didn’t work out there nor the Derby, he looks a promising type and arrives after a short break having looked sharp in a recent trial.

5 Max Que can probably be forgiven a below par effort last time when having his first try on soft going, which he may not have enjoyed, he had won four and been placed five of his nine starts this season prior that and it would be no surprise if he were to bounce back.

2 Soleil Fighter is a hardy type making start 15 of the current campaign, and although he rarely wins, he rarely runs a bad race and with an apprentice on top claiming 10lb for the first time this season, he is effectively running from 5lb below his most recent winning mark in February.

Race 9: Class 3 Snipe Handicap (1.05pm) (6f) (Dirt)

3 TURQUOISE VELOCITY will be a bit of a swing as he never raced on the dirt, but he’s a talented type that has won four of his seven starts during his first season, and he’s a naturally quick horse, which is usually a good fit for this track.

Whilst he’s never raced on the dirt, the selection, who has a favourable draw in gate 4, made all when he won a trial here last December, which is the only trial he’s had on the track and although he’s taking on some proven dirt performers in what is a strong Class 3, he still has upside and if he takes to the surface, he should give them plenty to think about.

Dangers:

2 Blazing Wind has been a revelation since switching to dirt, winning three times on this track during the current season including last time when he dotted up, but the handicapper has lumped him 11lb and he has a tricky draw to contend with this time.

11 Notthesillyone runs at this level for the first time having gone up 7lb for winning over course and trip last time and although he dives into deeper waters, he’s a four-time winner on the track this season carrying a massive 21lb less than las time.

1 Victory Sky was nearly six lengths in second behind Blazing Sky last time and a change of rider sees he’s just 3lb better off, but he ended up further back than ideal after a tardy start and he does draw the inside here.

Race 10: Class 3 Spoonbill Handicap (1.40pm) (1m)

8 BIG RETURN moves up in grade under a 7lb penalty and will be seeking to land a four-timer, which is never an easy thing to do, but he looks a slow burning type that has taken big steps forward since joining Jamie Richards, and he could have more to offer.

The selection, who is undefeated dover this trip on turf, won by half a length last time, but that race was run slowly into a headwind and turned into a bit of a sprint for home, thus the effort to pick up from midfield was better than the bare margin would suggest. He has more on his plate at this level but with 14lb less to carry than last time, he looks worth a play in an open contest.

Dangers:

2 Endued, who has won over course and trip twice this season, is a consistent type but that means he continues to sneak up the handicap even when not winning, but he arrives having run with merit in defeat once again last time in second, and he’s sure to run his race again.

3 Pope Cody’s only local win was from a 4lb lower mark last September, but he’s run well enough in defeat several times, including when sixth the Derby, he arrives having been placed over 9f last time and whilst he’s likely to be ridden cold, there is a solid gallop on offer.

4 Power Of Vitam, who won a maiden on his second and final start in Australia, defied market expectations when winning on his second local start in February and although turned over his next three, he was given plenty to do when runner-up at Happy Valley last time and looks better suited on the larger lay-out of Sha Tin.

Race 11: Class 3 Owl Handicap (2.15pm) (7f)

3 SUPER EXPRESS has been a frustrating type for followers, winning twice but runner-up in seven of his 10 starts to date. To be fair, he has finished second best to some nice types, and I doubt it has anything to do with his attitude.

The selection has been a beaten favourite his last two, but both were from high draws, and he did too much work without ever getting to the rail last time, a run that can be forgiven. Although I’m not convinced, they will want to lead here, he has a far better draw this time which should see him able to punch forward without gassing early, and connections have added a first-time pacifier.

Dangers:

12 Baby Sakura was two lengths in behind The Red Hare, who he meets on 7lb better terms when fourth over course and trip last time, but he’s a twice-winning three-year-old with plenty of upside.

7 Aerovolanic, who placed on yielding ground last time, won back-to-back races over course and trip in February and March and he did have the selection back in second in the most recent of those, but he is on 9lb worse terms with that rival here.

4 The Red Hare recorded his second win of the season when successful over course and trip last time and although he goes up 7lb for that, he won well and a repeat would see him right in the mix.

SATURDAY’S PLACEPOT

Saturday’s placepot will be races 6 through to 11. All up we will be playing 108 combinations (3x1x3x2x2x3), which will cost £10.80 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck!

LEG 1 - 1 MEANINGFUL DRAGON 6 ROMANTIC LAOS 7 POLAR PATCH

LEG 2 - 3 SUPERB SPIRIT

LEG 3 - 1 SAGACIOUS SPIRIT 3 PACKING ANGEL 5 MAX QUE

LEG 4 - 2 BLAZING WIND 3 TURQUOISE VELOCITY

LEG 5 - 2 ENDUED 8 BIG RETRUN

LEG 6 - 3 SUPER EXPRESS 7 AEROVOLANIC 12 BABY SAKURA