Cruz runner to Tango at Happy Valley

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Wednesday for a nine-race fixture on the all-weather track.

The highlight on the card comes up in Race 4 as just a small field of eight gallopers contest the Class 2 1650m Handicap.

Heading the weights is dirt specialist Kings Shield. It has been just about one year since the Frankie Lor-trained gelding last saluted the judge in first place and he is first-up off a 24.25-length beaten margin into ninth place in the Grade 3 Seoul Cup (1800m) in early September. He does reunite with Zac Purton for the first time in a while, and the champion jockey boasts two wins from three rides on the seven-year-old.

Lor’s other entrant, All For St Paul’s, continues to find improvement and is second-up off his all-the-way win over the mile on turf 25 days ago. He tries the AWT for the first time in his 31-start career, but he loves to jump and run and will be giving a sight.

However, trainer Tony Cruz’s five-year-old Berlin Tango looks like the one they all must hold out under apprentice Angus Chung.

Berlin Tango is third-up into this week's race after winning well over this distance at Happy Valley last start. The five-year-old will relish the switch to this track and distance, based on his big win here six starts ago when he flew home late to win by 1.5 lengths over Kings Shield.

But for Lor, his chances remain strong across the night, with four-year-old Youthful Deal looking to atone for a last start defeat in the Class 4 1200m Handicap (Race 6).

Youthful Deal is at career start number four and second-up after failing first-up as a well backed odds-on favourite. Leading them up in a 1200m race on Sha Tin's turf track, Youthful Deal looked full of running but his run quickly came to an end at the 300m and he weakened sharply into ninth, beaten 4.75 lengths.

Purton stated in the stewards' report that his mount "became very stirred up in the Parade Ring prior to the race which he believed had a bearing on the horse’s failure to finish the race off in the straight". Having trialled well since, Youthful Deal deserves another chance.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Jazz Steed will win in this grade very soon and this race shapes as a great opportunity to get the win, stepping away from barrier 2. Wins All a proven performer at this level and rates a serious winning chance from barrier 1. Call Me Lu change of trainer recently and gets Purton in the saddle. Diamond Soars faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape and with luck from barrier 10. G One Excellent never far away from the winner and could sneak a place.

Race 2: Jolly Honour will win in this grade very soon and he looks to get his chance here from barrier 4. Run Des Run turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly, as he usually does, and he will get back and run on late from barrier 11. Speed Force last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss, he can improve big time from a good gate here. Winning Steed was slow to begin last start but made good ground late last start. Go Ballistic had excuses last start and forget the run, chance to improve on best form here.

Race 3: Asian One change of trainer recently and can improve after an eye-catching trial recently. He looks ready to win. Regency Gem generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Euromissile has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. From barrier 4, he can map a chance. Raging Blaze remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here from a good gate. Steel Win can improve second-up from a break at this track and distance.

Race 4: Berlin Tango last start winner who retains good form and can run well again switching to this track and distance and getting the aid of Angus Chung’s 10lb claim. All For St Paul’s should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, he could take catching if left alone. Kings Shield can upset some more fancied rivals on best form if he shows up. Apache Pass will be suited by the switch back to AWT track and expect improvement. So We Joy has a better chance on this track and should run well.

Race 5: Fiery Diamond was an easy last start winner and he looks to get all the favours again to be hard to beat. Killer Instinct unbeaten in this class and must be a big chance in race like this. Brilliant Life down in class here and can surprise, watch the betting. Lucky Ruby caught wide last start and still ran well, he remains a chance. Starry Night had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, but barrier 10 is awkward and he might be ridden for luck.

Race 6: Youthful Deal disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here from the good gate and with Purton sticking with him. Trader drops down in grade and start following. He looks hard to beat from the good gate and with Chung’s 10lb claim. Likely to try and lead all the way. Yellowfin remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after showing promise. Proud Dragon will win in this grade very soon, good each-way claims. Joyful Genius fresh up from a break and should run well.

Race 7: Yes We Can scored a big win last start and he looks to get his chance to repeat the dose here. Sure Joyful improving type and getting close to a win, he looks capable of improving into the money. Infinite Power has ability and is always dangerous in this grade, he can give a sight from the low draw under the apprentice claim. Mission Bravo should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Green Laser best run to date was last start (first start for a new trainer) and appears to be improving.

Race 8: Super Win Dragon was an easy last start winner and he looks to get his chance to go on with it here. California Vanes had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, expect better with Purton on from a good gate. Ice Legend looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form, he will get back and run on strongly. Jolly Ruler last start winner who remains in the same grade, he can be competitive again. Faulds change of trainer recently and can improve.

Race 9: Handsome Twelve more than capable of winning again in this race as it is no harder than his last start win. Chancheng Prince good performance when returning to form last start, a repeat of that sees him right in this. Viva Hunter had excuses last start and forget the run. Lightning Bolt was eased early before catching the eye late, likely to do the same here from a wide draw. Helene Wisdom Star go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay, he could be good each-way value.