Tim Carroll

This Sunday sees a competitive 11-race card from Sha Tin on both the Turf and All-Weather tracks getting underway at 4.30am - live on Sky Sports Racing. There are four Class 3 contests on the card with race 8, The Junction Handicap, over 1 mile on the dirt, offering more than £200,000 in prize-money. 

Now onto this week’s selections.

Race 1: Class 5 Sa Po Handicap (4.30am) (1 mile) (dirt)

1 CELESTIAL HARMONY goes up 6lb for winning by a narrow margin over course and trip last time, and he does meet the runner-up, Phantom Cyclone, on 5lb worse terms, which purely from a number’s perspective is enough to turn around a 0.75 length margin, but there’s a few reasons to think this fellow can go back-to-back. 

The selection was not just having his first run on this track, but he was having his first spin for Brett Crawford and he was on his first outing in over two months, which would suggest there could be more to come. It’s worth noting that he was the only pace runner in the finish last time with the race setting up kindly for the closers, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest the run can be marked up a tad. 

Dangers: 

12 Phantom Cyclone was runner-up to the selection last time, so we are hoping for a repeat here, and although he’s yet to win in twenty local starts, he has shown improvement since joining this yard this season and he ran through the line strongly last time. 

2 Courier Magic was 2.5 lengths fifth behind the selection last time having been given plenty to do from a high stall, he’s better drawn here and on 7lb better terms.   

5 Perfect Peach has been unplaced his last two, but he did win on turf from a 5lb lower mark earlier in the season and Purton takes the ride, but he’s yet to place in four goes on this track.   

Race 2: Class 5 South Wall Handicap (5.00am) (6 furlongs)

8 YEE CHEONG RAIDER is a long-standing maiden, but he shaped with a bit of promise when fourth over course and trip last time, which was his run for trainer Brett Crawford and his first spin on turf in nearly a year. 

The selection was given plenty to do from a high draw that day, but ran through the line with plenty of purpose, beaten just a length. Whilst his non-winning profile is hardly inspiring, however, it looks like his new handler, who has had plenty of success this season with well-tried types that have found their way to his care, has him in good shape. If that’s the case, the selection looks to be on a more than workable mark having placed from up to 15lb higher, and he’s better drawn here.       

Dangers: 

11 Verbier goes up 6lb having recorded the second win of his career last time and whilst both those victories have been at Happy Valley, he has placed here in the past, and the yard are in blistering form. 

9 Majestic Delight is winless in 15 starts but has gone close a few times this season including last time when runner-up, two spots in front of the selection, and he should have the gun run close to the pace from the low draw.   

1 Winning Cigar is yet to place in 7 starts but he drops in grade having run a career best in fourth beaten just over two-lengths last time, and he’ll find this more to his liking.

Race 3: Class 4 Nga Tsin Wai Handicap (5.30am) (6 furlongs)

5 MALPENSA was sent off second elect on debut in December but did himself no justice by becoming fractious in the stalls then running greenly in the race, so much so he was ordered to trial by stewards before being allowed to race again.  However, he shown improvement in two subsequent starts and should continue his progression here. 

The selection was given plenty to do from the outside draw when coming from last to run fourth at his second start in January, but then took a further step forward to finish runner-up over course and trip last month when again given enough to do, but beaten a narrow margin, and the form looks solid with the next two in behind subsequent winners. 

Dangers: 

1 Crossborderdude is a low mileage winner from the John Size yard that could well win this despite top weight as he does have a favourable draw and plenty of scope, but chances are he’ll be short enough in the market. 

6 Perfect Triumph is a debutant from a yard flying that has moved nicely in his three trials and with Bowman booked, a market watch is advised.   

7 Russet Glow has been sent off at big prices both career starts but showed improvement to hit the frame over course and trip last time, and whilst he was well held by the first two, he’s with a leading yard, has plenty of scope and remarkably, has drawn stall 1 for the third time. 

Race 4: Class 4 Nga Tsin Wai Handicap (6.00am) (6 furlongs)

4 HAPPY BRETHREN was kept safe in the market when running better than the bare result when fourth over course and trip on debut last month.  Given he was making his introduction, there’s no way of telling what the plan was that day, but he was squeezed up at the start and any thoughts of pressing forward soon went out the window. 

The selection made up good ground late, and although he didn’t finish at a rate of knots, he was strong through the line seemingly finishing with something in the locker. He’ll be better for the run; he has plenty of upside and hopefully he’ll be sharper from the gate.   

Dangers: 

3 Flying Sniper is a debutant, and the booking of Purton would suggest a forward showing is expected which is no surprise given he has moved nicely in a few recent trials without being asked any questions, and he has a favourable draw. 

5 Mr Incredible is a debutant from a yard that have landed a few touches this season, he arrives having won a recent trail and a market watch is advised. 

1 Nyx Gluck broke his duck over 7-furlongs at just his fourth start in December, and although he has been turned over three times since, he has worked through the line his last two, and although he drops back in trip, they may be looking for a stronger gallop to aim at. 

Race 5: Class 4 Nam Kok Handicap (6.30am) (1 mile) (dirt)

7 HAPPY UNIVERSE was runner-up to California Star, who he meets on 7lb better terms, over course and trip last time with half of these in behind. In all fairness, although on better terms, the winner that day did win comfortably enough and the pull in the weights alone probably wouldn’t be enough to turn the form around. 

However, the selection, who was having his first spin on this track that day, had a poor race shape after a tardy start from a high draw, given plenty to do before circling the field to grab the silver. Although he’s no leader, he does normally sit handy, and with a far kinder draw this time, I’d imagine Richard Kingscote will look to have him closer to the pace, like when he won on the turf here at the end of last season.  

 Dangers: 

5 California Star won what comfortably looks the best form race for this last time out over course and trip, and whilst he goes up 7lb, he won with a bit in hand that day, but he does have a tricky draw to contend with. 

13 Firefoot picked up the bronze in the aforementioned race, and like the selection, he too had a far from ideal set-up that day, planted wide most of the way, and looks right in the mix with more luck in the run. 

2 Super Love is unknown on this track, and he’s never been over the mile, but he won a solid Class 4 over 7-furlongs here in November when he sat up on the pace and he’s drawn in 1 with form rider, Andrea Atzeni taking over.   

Race 6: Class 3 Lok Sin Tong Cup (Handicap) (7.00am) (5 furlongs)   

10 TURQUOISE VELOCITY is a lightly raced 4yo sprinter that’s won two of three career starts, which have all been over course and trip. The Francis Lui inmate goes up 7lb for his latest success when he had a few of these in behind, and although he only won by a nose that day, given his low mileage profile, there should be plenty more to come. 

He draws high again, which is the preferred side on the straight course, and given his natural pace, he should be able to bag the grandstand rail, which is always seen as advantageous. 

Dangers: 

1 Youthful Spirits has been unplaced his last five, but they have all been in tougher races at a level above this and whilst he concedes weight all round, he draws perfectly on the outside, which should see him bang there from the off. 

12 Looking Bright, who won a maiden at his second and final start in Australia, is yet to score locally in five goes but he has shaped with some promise a couple of times including when runner-up to the selection last time who he now meets on 5lb better terms.   

7 Fast Responder doesn’t do a lot of winning, he’s more of a consistent type, which doesn’t help his cause with the handicap, but he meets the selection on 9lb better terms have finished just under 3-lengths fifth behind him last time.   

Race 7: Class 4 Lung Kong Handicap (7.35am) (7 furlongs)    

2 PAPAYA BROSE made a winning debut over 6-furlongs here last month despite being unwanted in the betting (21.00), which does concern me a tad as the connections are usually on the ball, and the yard leads the trainers title this year. 

But putting all that aside and looking at the performance purely on face value, he was impressive, quickening up like a decent type in the making when pulling away from his rivals. The form from the race has a bit of shape with the runner-up filling the same spot since and the fourth a subsequent winner. He has been lumped 8lb for that, but he obviously has plenty of upside and he should enjoy stepping up to 7-furlongs. 

Dangers: 

1 Endeared is a hard knocking veteran that has been unplaced his last two over a less than suitable 6-furlongs, which sees his mark slip 2lb and that has him dropping into a Class 4 for just the second time this season having been narrowly denied by a nostril the last time he was seen at this level in January. 

4 Light Years Glory, who won on debut last season, is still low mileage and bounced back to form last time when beaten a narrow margin by a promising type completing back-to-back wins, which was his first try over this trip, and he drawn to have the gun run. 

7 California Bay, who was runner-up both starts in Australia, is still a maiden after a further thirteen local spins, but he has run with merit in defeat his last two, only beaten a lip in second when he went from the front last time, but Purton jumps off to ride Endeared.   

Race 8: Class 3 Junction Handicap (8.05am) (1 mile) (dirt)

7 ROMANTIC THOR, who won (known as Capulet) the Dee Stakes at Chester when with Aidan O’Brian,  shaped with promise when placed here at just his second start in December of 2024, but the wheels fell off after that, withdrawn from the Hong Kong Classic Cup at the end of last season due to lameness, then unplaced his first five starts this campaign. 

He’s obviously better than what he’s shown and maybe there’s been some signs in the morning because he met with support when having his first spin on this track last time, finishing third behind Sky Vino, who he meets on 11lb better terms for a length defeat. The selection draws low and he should end up on the back of the likely leader, Telecom Fighters, with the run of the race. 

Dangers: 

2 Dragon Air Force was runner-up to Sky Vino one spot in front of the selection last time, and although that race set up kindly for the closers, he had a far from ideal trip and there’s a solid gallop on offer here. 

1 Talents Ambition was unplaced on turf last time, but he enjoys this track having been placed at a level above this here in January, however, he concedes up to 20lbs to his rivals and hasn’t has a tricky high draw. 

11 Allcash bombed at Happy Valley last time been he’d been placed two of his previous three over course and trip, he has favourable draw, and the handicapper has eased him 1lb. 

Race 9: Class 4 Lung Kong Handicap (8.35am) (7 furlongs)  

9 AMAZING DUCK been frustrating to follow having not won since successful over course and trip just over two years ago, which came from a 13lb higher mark, but he has been runner-up two of his last three including last time out when 0.75 lengths behind Run Run Smart, who he meets on 5lb better terms. 

The selection is a pace runner and unlike is rival from last time, he does have a helpful draw and whilst I’m not convinced, he’ll look to lead, he doesn’t need to and he should end up on the back of the two likely front runners (Run Run Smart, Devas Twelve), with a strong tow throughout. 

Dangers: 

1 Eighty Light Years hasn’t won since April 2024, but this will be his first spin at this level since winning over two-years ago, he was runner-up here just four runs back in a stronger contest and whilst he goes from the top of the handicap, he should have all the favours from the inside draw. 

2 Run Run Smart defied market expectations when making all over course and trip last time at just his second try at this trip, but that was a pace dominated race, he goes up 6lb for that and will have to get across from the outside draw if wanting to repeat the same tactics. 

7 Tycoon Express has shaped with some promise doing his best late without threatening from high draws in two career runs, and his has plenty of upside, but he faces a similar scenario here with yet another high draw. 

Race 10: Class 3 Kowloon City Handicap (9.10am) (6 furlongs)

3 RED SEA, who was Group 2 placed in New Zealand, ran with plenty of promise on his local debut when third over course and trip last month. The selection went off second favourite that day and may well have won if not for having to work hard early from a high draw to get to the front but only picked off in the closing stages. 

The Jamie Richards 4yo is entitled to come on a bundle for his first spin in well over a  year, and unlike last time when he had to spend a few pennies to cross over, this time he’s perfectly drawn in 1 and will probably look to dictate form the front.   

Dangers: 

4 Smart Golf is an exciting prospect that hacked up over course and trip last time and he looks the main threat, but he has been lumped 9lb for that, and he’s a pace runner with an awkward draw.  

2 Helene Supafeeling, who was a twice winner (known as Port Light) for Archie Watson won over course and trip on his local debut in December and has run with merit in defeat his last two, however, although he’s won over this trip, he’s probably want’s further to be seen at his best. 

6 Quantum Cloud, who won a juvenile contest at his second and final start in Australia, was justy under a length when one spot back in fourth behind the selection on his local debut and although I don’t see why he’d turn the form around, it was a solid introduction and he’s entitled to improve. 

Race 11: Class 3 Carpenter Handicap (9.45am) (7 furlongs) 

3 GHORGAN, who was placed in both the 2024 German and Italian Guineas, seemingly has taken a bit of time to find his local legs but has shown definite improvement recently with two placed efforts, running a local best last time when runner-up over course and trip to an undefeated 3yo that looks one right out of the box. 

The selection doesn’t win that day, but he was briefly held up in the straight, having to shift off the rail from in behind several runners, hitting the line with purpose.  He goes up 1lb for that but carries 7lb more, which shows this is a lessor contest, and one he should go close to winning with a repeat from last time.   

Dangers: 

2 Mighty Masts a thrice winner in Australia, has shaped with a bit of promise all three local starts with his best result when runner-up over 6-furlongs in January, but he’ll find this a bit more to his liking having finished sixth behind some leading 4yos on the Derby trail over a mile last time. 

1 Riding Together made all over course and trip last time when friendless in the betting, he goes up 7lb for that which sees him at the top of the handicap, but that was deeper contest and he’ll give a bold sight with a repeat effort. 

11 Packing Glory is a low mileage 4yo that won over 5-furlongs on debut in November, he’s been placed his last two over this trip including last time when having his first spin at this level, but the step up to 7-furlongs isn’t an obvious move.   

SUNDAY’S PLACE POT

Today’s Place Pot will be races 6 through to 11. All up we will be playing 27 combinations (3x3x1x3x1x1), which will cost £2.70 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck. 

LEG 1- 1 YOUTHFUL SPIRITS 10 TURQUOISE VELOCITY 12 LOOKING BRIGHT

LEG 2- 1 ENDEARED 4 LIGHT YEARS GLORY 7 CALIFORNIA BAY

LEG 3- 7 ROMANTIC THOR

LEG 4- 1 EIGHTY LIGHT YEARS 2 RUN RUN SMART 9 AMAZING DUCK

LEG 5- 3 RED SEAS  

LEG 6- 8 GHORGAN