Aurora Patch to get it right at Sha Tin

He Jiong

Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Sunday for an exciting 11-race card, with competitive action expected throughout the day.

Quality sprinter Aurora Patch looks well placed to make amends for his narrow last start defeat when he returns to Sha Tin this Sunday for the Class 3 Handicap over 1200m on the All-Weather track.

Aurora Patch has been in career-best form this season, recording three wins and four placings from nine starts. After an impressive victory over this track and distance three runs ago, the son of Showtime had excuses in his following start, covering ground throughout before finishing seventh.

He bounced back strongly last time out, racing on the speed and sticking on gamely to finish second, beaten only a neck.

While Aurora Patch shapes as a leading contender with Hugh Bowman up, Blazing Wind, who met trouble and finished within a length of him last time, and last-start winner Pi Legend, stepping up in grade, appear the main dangers.

In-form four-year-old Aerovolanic looks primed to complete a hat-trick of wins in the Class 3 Handicap over 1400m.

Aerovolanic has shown marked improvement in recent starts, finishing in the money four times from his past five outings, including two wins. After an easy Class 4 victory two runs ago, the son of Frosted made a seamless transition to Class 3, scoring in emphatic fashion on debut in the grade last time out.

On both occasions, he showed good early speed before drawing clear late to win by two lengths.

Despite a nine-point penalty for that latest win, Aerovolanic remains the one to beat given his dominant form. An interesting runner is Sky Jewellery, who showed plenty of ability before an injury-enforced break and a bleeding episode in a trial, leaving some query as to whether he can return to his previous level. – iRACE Magazine

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Firefoot comes off a fast-finishing fourth over this track and distance in Class 4, and from a decent draw, he looks primed to run a big race on his Class 5 debut. Foremost Teddy drops back to Class 5, where his best form lies, and appears well placed with the ap- prentice claim. Meepmeep his recent runs suggest he can bounce back anytime in this grade. Spangle Fortune endured a tough trip first-up and should produce an improved effort with better luck in running. All Are Mine has found the line well late in his recent starts and must be respected with Purton aboard.

Race 2: Win Speed boasts solid Class 4 form, and with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim, he could prove hard to run down dropping to Class 5. Viva Chaleur scored an impressive win over this track and distance last start, and a double looks well within reach. Glory Cloud had excuses last start (raced wide); the drop to Class 5 and the booking of Joao Moreira are positives. Triumphant Warrior has tactical speed and can produce a strong on-pace showing with the apprentice claim. Colourful Winner resumes after bleeding; the market will be the best guide.

Race 3: Tourbillon Golfer ideally placed with a 10lb claimer aboard, he has drawn well and shapes as a leading contender. Run Run Sunrise a progressive 3YO, he has been in great form and looks primed to secure a second career win. Mapogo has trialled well since his honest debut run, but is only worth considering if not overbet. Perfect Triumph finished well last start, and with Moreira aboard, he looks one to follow, especially from a good draw. Zouper Fellow scored a strong on-pace win at long odds last start, but repeating that performance remains a question.

Race 4: Francis Meynell has been knocking on the door and looks to have found a highly winnable race to finally break through. The All Rounder appears well weighted to make an impact and must be included among the better chances. Decision Link comes off a facile Class 5 win and remains a chance stepping back up to Class 4. Proud Box encountered traffic last start and could run a cheeky race with a smoother trip. Bucephalas could sneak into the placings at long odds if allowed to dictate from a wide draw, especially with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim.

Race 5: Absolute Honour went close last start and has drawn well to make amends with Purton staying aboard. Amazing Duck ideally placed with a 10lb claimer aboard, he usually performs well in slowly run races. Mega Mastermind led from start to finish last start and should have more rating points in hand as a progressive 3YO. Prestige Ricky possesses a strong turn of foot and will make his presence felt late if the pace suits. Incanto Star has mixed form but looks capable of causing an upset on his day, despite the awkward draw.

Race 6: Bull Attitude finished strongly for fourth from a wide draw last start, and with a better gate, he looks poised to make amends. Shanghai Style stormed home for third despite a tardy start last time out. With a clean jump, he should be highly competitive. Supreme Agility has shown a strong liking to the AWT surface and should play a key role. California Star with a more conservative racing style, he needs the race shape to suit, especially from a wide draw. Chill Kaka will relish the return to the AWT and the drop in class; looks one to watch with the apprentice claim.

Race 7: Armour War Eagle boasts strong Class 3 form and shapes as a leading contender dropping to Class 4, particularly from a low draw. Juicy Dragon has shown consistent form on the AWT and looks the second-best here. Light Years Glory attacked the line strongly late last start and must be respected with Bowman aboard Flowing Riches is expected to make the running given his tactical speed and will give them something to catch with the apprentice claim. One Man Show has not been beaten far in recent starts but looks more of a place chance.

Race 8: Aurora Patch from a favourable draw, he looks poised to go one better after a close second last start. Blazing Wind held up at a crucial stage last start and should finish in the money with a clearer passage. Lady’s Choice weakened late in a fast run race last start, and with a kinder tempo, he could surprise at odds. Romantic Son has struck a purple patch of form, and with Nichola Yuen’s 10lb claim, another encouraging run looks imminent. Pi Legend made all in Class 4 last start and remains a chance on his return to Class 3 with Moreira jumping aboard.

Race 9: Aerovolanic has been in career-best form and looks primed to complete a hat-trick after an impressive win on his Class 3 debut last start. Sky Jewellery resumes off an enforced break after bleeding in a trial, and the market will be the best guide. Uranus Star raced on the speed to finish second in a slowly run race last start, and should run well again under similar conditions. Everyone’s Star had genuine excuses (raced wide) last start and deserves another chance with Moreira aboard. Perfectday should be suited by the rise to 1400m based on his racing style.

Race 10: Robot Lucky Star has trialled well for his return and is ideally weighted to run a big race, despite stepping up to Class 3. Su- per Express looks overdue for his third career win but the wide draw could prove tricky. Gold Patch appears to have scope and is expected to produce another strong performance on his Class 3 debut after a tenacious Class 4 win. Ka Ying Attack beaten by a smart type last start and should run well again from a favourable draw. South Star his fourth-place finish last start was better than it reads, given the adverse circumstances (raced wide).

Race 11: Patch Of Cosmo has performed well in the 4YO series and should play a key role on his return to handicap conditions, especially with Purton aboard. Winning Wing placed in a G1 feature last start and rates highly dropping back to Class 2, where he boasts a strong record. Stunning Peach another galloper who should improve with the drop from a Group feature to Class 2. Joy Of Spring finished a close second in this class last start, and with Moreira aboard, he could go one better. Ka Ying Generation has never been consistent but could spring a surprise on his day.