HK Group 3 – 1400m – Turf
Sunday 6 March 2016
Sha Tin
Hong Kong selections
PACKING LLAREGYB (A Schutz)
Five wins in 23 HK starts, including twice over this course and distance. Winless in last 14 starts since HKG3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m, handicap) in November 2014. Seven starts this season and best when running-on 1.25L 4th in HKG3 Centenary Vase (1800m handicap) on 6 Feb. Previously 3.25L 5th in HKG3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup over this distance on 1 Jan. Deep closer. Handles a sound surface.
DIVINE CALLING (C Fownes)
Runner-up in 2015 HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile. Sole HK success came on debut in a Class 2 1400m in October 2014. Raced three times (all over this distance) this season, best efforts when a nose 2nd to his Classic Mile conqueror Beauty Only in Class 1 Kwangtung Handicap in September, followed by 2.5L 4th (DH) in HKG3 Celebration Cup on 1 Oct. Settles close to the speed. No ground worries.
ALL YOU WISH (C H Yip)
Four-time course and distance winner, all during 2012/13 season when crowned Champion Griffin. Though failed to reach the summit, he did show himself to be a useful type when twice placed in the HKG3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m) in 2014 & 2015. Ran 9th in this race 12 months ago. Unplaced in all his four starts this term, including last time when 4.5L 8th in Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup on 10 Feb. Deep closer. No ground issues.
BORN IN CHINA (K W Lui)
Smart UK import that won the 2014 Britannia Handicap (1600m) at Royal Ascot (1600m). He started this term with consecutive wins in Class 3 and Class 2 1200m contests at Happy Valley. Promising effort penultimate start when 1.25L 2nd behind the highly-regarded Amazing Kids over 1200m at Sha Tin on 9 Jan. 2.25L 5th in a Class 2 1200m at Happy Valley last time on 3 Feb. Usually settle midfield. Appreciates good going.
DASHING FELLOW (J Moore)
All 5 wins from 17 starts have been achieved at 1400m. Made all for latest win in November, edging out subsequent Hong Kong Classic Mile/Classic Cup victor Sun Jewellery in the Class 1 Panasonic Cup. Extended to the mile for the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile, but found wanting late on to finish 9L 9th. Can lead or race close to the speed. Relishes a sound surface.
SUPER LIFELINE (A T Millard)
Won this race emphatically in 2014 but winless since. Ran 4th both in this race last year and the Macau Hong Kong Trophy (1500m) at Taipa. Best of seven starts this season a 2.5L 3rd to Contentment in HKG3 Celebration Cup (1400m handicap) in October. Also 1.5L 2nd latest in Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup on 10 Feb. Often settles handily. Relishes a sound surface: untried on soft ground.
APOLLO'S CHOICE (D Hall)
Winner over 1600m. Very consistent in six starts this season, including runner-up three times at the mile at Sha Tin. Decent 1.75L 4th when returned to shorter trip last time in Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup (1400m) on 10 Feb. Usually settles midfield. Act on any going.
EROICO (J Size)
All four HK wins achieved over 1200m at Sha Tin. 1400m should not be a bar to winning with three 2nds and a 4th from 4 runs at the distance. Placed twice in his six starts this term: best when 2L 2nd to top dirt performer Gun Pit in a Class 1 1650m on Sha Tin’s all-weather track in November. Fair 1.5L 4th in a Class 2 1200m at Happy Valley on 3 Feb. Usually races handy. No ground concerns.
TRAVEL RENYI (R Gibson)
Winless in 6 starts last season. Has shown significant improvement to win 3 of his 4 runs this term. Seeking for his 3rd consecutive win after posting big efforts for a 1.75L win in a Class 3 1400m in November and again over this distance last time when winning a Class 2 at Sha Tin (with Super Lifeline in 6th) on 24 Jan. Usually settles midfield. Relishes sound going.
Macau selections*
Master Of Puppets (K C Wong)
Owned by Yip Yuk Kit, the K C Wong trained Master of Puppets is rated 117 points. It can handle good to heavy track condition from the distance of 1200M to 1500M. It managed 7 wins and prefered to lead during the run. It scored 2 winners this season over the distance of 1200M. Master of Puppets had previously participated in the HKMT twice.
The Alfonso (J Lau)
Currently rated 110 points, J Lau trained The Alfonso, owned by Chen Ching Lung and Dato K S Yap. The Alfonso was the winner of the Macau Derby last season. It raced in Australia and performed consistently. It kept its form after coming to Macau and has had 3 wins and placed twice in its 7 runs. The Alfonso had a win in 1000M last November after a long spell. Its last win was the Winter Trophy (G2) showing excellent form.
Bobo So Cute (M C Tam)
Bobo So Cute is trained by M C Tam, rated 100 point and is owned by Chan Sui Wah. As a 3-year-old last season, it had 7 wins. It ran 2nd in the Macau Guineas (G1) last season and was a winner in Grand Lisbon Cup (G3) in MHKT Day. 5 out of 7 wins are in 1500M. Yet to win in current season but ran third twice in group races.
Sheng Li Win (Y C Fung)
Sheng Li Win is trained by Y C Fung, rated 98, is owned by Frank Wong. All 7 winners in Macao were run over sand at distance between 1050M to 1600M. A winner of Sand Mile (Group 3) last season on the MHKT Day. It was placed 3rd three times out of 6 starts this season. Prefer to race from the rear.
Valiant Soldier (Pat Lee)
Owned by Keith Lam, the Pat Lee trained Valiant Soldier is rated 95. It had 4 wins last season at the age of 3. It won twice this season in higher class races. Its 6 wins were all over the distance of 1200M, as the horse is getting mature, it should be able to handle the 1400M.
*Comments on Macau selected runners are provided by the Macau Jockey Club.