Condtions favour Youthful Deal at Sha Tin

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday for a 10-race turf and dirt fixture at Sha Tin, one week out from the unparalleled excitement that is the Hong Kong International Races.

Not much has gone right for trainer Frankie Lor’s dirt specialist, Youthful Deal, in recent starts. However, he gets conditions in his favour this week in the Class 2 Handicap over 1200m on the all-weather track.

Youthful Deal put together a hat-trick of impressive wins at this course and distance from late March to early June this year. His season concluded with an average 12th-place finish when he encountered a good-to-yielding turf track that didn’t suit. In his first race of the current term, he remained on turf and encountered another rain-affected track, resulting in a moderate sixth-place finish. Second-up, he returned to his preferred dirt surface but was up in trip to 1650m for the first time in his career, which seemed suspect.

Despite finishing eighth by six lengths, it was a better run than it appears. Youthful Deal had excuses as he was held up at various stages from turning for home and after being steadied for room at the 150m mark, he lost all momentum. After 39 days to recuperate from that race, Youthful Deal was back at the trials and won his 1200m heat easily. A he returns to his best distance on race day this week, he should be more competitive.

Trainer Mark Newnham has certainly been doing a good job with stable transfer and he should be able to land back-to-back wins one of those – All Is Ready in the Class 5 Handicap over 1200m on the all-weather track.

All Is Ready is on his third start for the freshman trainer after 19 runs for Ricky Yiu and after a fair first-up fourth over 1400m on turf, the five-year-old broke through stylishly for Newnham second-up at this track and distance with a decisive 1.75-length win.

He has since trialled well, suggesting he has maintained his form, and Newnham may be able to get him higher in the handicap still.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Fiery Flying looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. No excuses under JMac from barrier 2 this week. Boom Alliance drops down in grade and start following. He should be in the finish. Starship Eighty recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Still a maiden but runs this season have been good enough for a race like this. Precision Goal faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Improved effort. Green Laser could sneak a place given has done so in the past.

Race 2: All Is Ready changed stables to M Newnham recently and has improved, as seen when winning smartly last start. He can go on with it. Lucky Fun drops down in grade and start following. Hasn’t had much luck at the bottom of Class 4 this term and can improve here. Charming Steed every chance last start but still ran a good race. Not won for a long time but has been going close. Miracles a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, which he should from barrier 1. Happy Tango looks a solid good chance based on last start and he loves the track and distance.

Race 3: Mission Bravo well supported last start and won accordingly and should be able to repeat the dose if he gets the race run to suit. Amazing Teens go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Returns to the all-weather, where he’s best performed, and can improve. Nordic Star down in class in this race and should perform better. Lucky Banner video replay showed last run was very good after a mid-race move, can improve on that. All Are Mine recent runs have been encouraging and can run well.

Race 4: Ka Ying Rising newcomer who has trialled well for debut on numerous occasions and will be favoured to win first-up. Telecom Dragon last start winner who remains in the same grade and has trialled well enough since. Experience on his side should account for a lot here. Strathpeffer remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after going close in recent starts. Happydearhappydeer has been very well prepared with several trials, watch the betting. Joyful Life had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. Should come on second-up.

Race 5: Greenwich drops down in grade and start following. Runs at the bottom of Class 3 were good enough for a race like this and he should take beating if he handles the all-weather first time under race conditions. Flying Dragon good performance when second down the 1000m straight last week. Three-time winner at the track and distance should carry him a lot way here. Judy’s Great having second start and can improve with experience after needing the run first-up. Euro Rocks down in class in this race and should perform better. Everyone’s Victory down in class here and can surprise.

Race 6: Youthful Deal had excuses last start over 1650m and can improve in this race. Back to 1200m is key to his chances and he won’t have many excuses from barrier 2. Majestic Star has a good record over this race distance and JMac jumps in the saddle – improvement can be expected. Flying Ace looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Needs to map closer to be a better winning chance, so his position in the run is vital here. Packing Treadmill narrowly beaten last start and goes close here. Ping Hai Galaxy follow if supported on the tote.

Race 7: Yellowfin disappointing last start when beaten as a short-priced favourite but worth giving another chance here in an open race. Adefill backing up quickly from last week, when he had excuses in the run, and can run well. Fiery Diamond showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight to hold second. Red Aclaim will be suited by the switch back to all-weather track for the first time in Hong Kong, and could improve because of that. Super Win Dragon generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.

Race 8: Wide-open race here. Speed Sword had genuine excuses last start on debut when slow to begin and crowded for room. Still ran well late. Expecting big improvement second-up. Northern Beaches remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after going close plenty of times. Pleasant Endeavor has a top jockey in the saddle and that will help his chances. Sparkling Knight has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. Metro Warrior a proven performer at this level and rates in the chances on true form.

Race 9: Meepmeep turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability for trainer John Size. He will be favoured to score second-up. Holy Lake has improved since the blinkers were added and he will gain a sweet run from his low draw chasing back-to-back wins. Ka Ying Cheer nice 4yo with a good chance here. Barrier 12 is far from ideal but he has the early speed to overcome it. Dream Pursuer remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here. Will get back and be running on. River Views should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way.

Race 10: Blue Marlin nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. Unfortunately drawn wide again, but JMac can overcome with early intent. Massive Action should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Favoured by the C+3 course and will give a big sight. Never Too Soon winner of last two starts and looks a top chance. Golden Samurai every chance last start but still ran a good race, consider again. Pins Prince probably better suited in Class 4 but has drawn well low and that will give him a chance for Purton/Size.