Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin

Luke Middlebrook

Progressive four-year-old, LADY’S CHOICE, can resume with a first-up win in the Class 4 Handicap
over 1200m.

LADY’S CHOICE raced nine times last season and was rarely beaten far in his first four runs before
finally running into the placings on his fifth start when he stormed home late to pick up third place.
The Michael Chang-trained gelding retained his good form thereafter and then strung together two
wins in a row for his final two runs of the season.

Zac Purton was aboard for LADY’S CHOICE’s two successive victories and is set to continue riding him this week, following a good-looking trial on 22 September. Resuming in a winnable contest, LADY’S CHOICE looks poised to continue his winning streak and rise to Class 3.

Three-year-old gelding RUBY SAILING can put a string of second-place finishes behind him and
breakthrough in the Class 4 Handicap over 1000m.

The Manfred Man-trained gelding was a consistent performer in two starts in Griffin races last
season, finishing as the runner-up both times to the standout Griffin of the season, Ka Ying Victory.
Manfred Man will be hopeful three-year-old Ruby Sailing can land a first career win. Photo: HKJC
RUBY SAILING made his Class 4 debut first-up at this track and distance 21 days ago, being sent off as $3.3 favourite and narrowly beaten in a head-to-head battle by the smart-looking debutant ridden by Zac Purton, Champion Method.

Purton will take the reins on RUBY SAILING this week, and he has drawn an ideal barrier 13 for the
straight course. Naturally, the gelding should be more race-fit second-up, and he finds himself in
what appears to be a winnable contest.

Track Spy

Video Replay Stars

Race 6 – 2 PRECISE EXPRESS
He makes his Class 4 debut second-up this week after a better run into seventh place than it reads.
Over the final 150m of the 1400m race, he raced tight between two runners and as a result, had
some difficulty obtaining clear running. He was only beaten 4.75 lengths in the end. On true form, he
looks well placed to be competitive on the class drop, and can start to be followed.

Race 10 – 4 OUTGATE
He drew wide at this track and distance last start and showed good gate speed. But the jockey had
to use him up in the middle stages to find the lead by the 1000m. The race was run at a true tempo
and the race pressure seemed decent as he had two horses outside of him on the lead from the 800m. He led till the 100m, until his run came to an end, beaten 1.75 lengths into fi fth. Improving
with racing, it won’t be long until he picks up a spot in the top 3.

Sectional Time Stars

Race 3 – 5 CALL ME DANDY

His first-up fourth-place finish was better than it reads as he struck a slowly-run race. This is
highlighted by the fact that he let down with the third-fastest final 400m in the race despite mapping
third in the run. He was only 0.75 lengths off the winner and should be running a race second-up.

Race 7 – 2 SPIRITED EXPRESS

His first-up run was full of promise. Eased back early from barrier 9 at Happy Valley over 1650m, he
wound up late and let down the third-fastest in the race to check in an eye-catching fourth place,
beaten 1.5 lengths. Fitter now second-up, he finds a race where he can figure.

Luke Middlebrook’s Selections

R1. 7-1-2-5
R2. 3-6-4-10
R3. 5-2-7-6
R4. 1-7-4-2
R5. 8-1-3-6
R6. 9-2-4-5
R7. 1-2-8-6
R8. 2-6-3-1
R9. 9-5-3-6
R10. 8-7-4-2

Betting Strategy:
R2 #3 Win
R3 #5 Each-Way
R4 #1 Win
R6 #2 Each-Way

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Splendid Star form is good and must be rated a solid chance as he rises to a winning distance. He should take holding out. Loyal Ambition recent runs have been encouraging and can run well as Bowman replaces the apprentice. Superb Daddy consistent performer of late and worth considering. Owners’ Star generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. He may need the run first-up, but his three wins over the distance warrant respect. Turtle Again turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly for his best run to date.

Race 2: Ruby Sailing narrowly beaten last start and goes close here as Purton takes the ride from an
ideal gate for the straight course. He is ready to win. Yee Cheong Spirit well prepared for debut and
is worth considering. Trials have been good but he has drawn the wrong part of the track. Travel Golf
every chance last start but still ran a good race. Consider again. Multidarling improving type and
getting close to a win. Always Awesome resuming from a break and recent trial was good enough to
suggest he can run a race fresh.

Race 3: Call Me Dandy last run was much better than it looks in a slowly-run race. Second-up from
barrier 3, he ticks boxes (read “Track Spy” for more information). Armour Eagle looks overdue for a
win and enters this race in good form. He will be getting favours here under Bowman from barrier 2.
Galaxy Patch has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance, watch the betting. Naboo
Legend ran on well in a recent trial and could improve with Purton engaged to ride. Sakewin showed
good speed to lead last start and gave a good sigh.

Race 4: Lady’s Choice winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to pick up where he left off
last season. The wide draw doesn’t help, but a good steer from Purton will ensure every chance. Ka
Ying Cheer has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance on debut. Pins Prince has a top
jockey in the saddle (Bowman) and that will help. He returned to from with an okay fourth last start.
Sight Hero can upset some more fancied rivals on best form. Young Life Forever well supported last
start and won accordingly at Happy Valley.

Race 5: Moduleconstruction nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance to score
first-up in an open race with a few winning chances. Dragon’s Luck can improve second-up from a
break from a good draw with Purton in the saddle. He showed ability last season, but then bled, so
there are health concerns. Pulsar Strider faded late last start, chance to improve under right race
shape. Compassion Spirit turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Fast Victory having
first start and watch the betting odds, his trials have been sound.

Race 6: Lucky Eternity last run suggested a win was very near. He had every chance, but was first-up, so he gets another opportunity here second-up and with Bowman remaining in the saddle. Precise Express down in class in this race and should perform better (read “Track Spy” for more
information). Snowalot finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and should
improve further here. Smiling Collector faded late last start, chance to improve under right race
shape. Aestheticism backing up quickly from last week, can run well at odds.

Race 7: Super Sunny Sing turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly first-up. Fitter-now
second-up and should be bouncing back to his winning ways. Spirited Express caught the eye last
start when running home well last start (read “Track Spy” for more information). The Best Peach
goes well first-up from a break and should be respected. Meaningful Star nice horse who is a model
of consistency and looks a chance with luck from barrier 10. Beauty Live has shown ability and gets
his chance to win here.

Race 8: Feature race of the day and the small field and even bunch of horses makes for a competitive
Group 3 Handicap. Stoltz winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to win this as Purton aims
for back-to-back wins in the race. Whizz Kid narrowly beaten last start and goes close here on the
light weight. Kurpany caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds, maybe he can go on with
it. Sight Success resuming from a break and the recent trial was okay. He has class on his side here.
Adios placed last start and looks a chance to run well again.

Race 9: Ever Blessing every chance last start but still ran a good race. The low draw and the rise in
distance look key to his chances second-up. Divine Era turned in a nice effort last run when finishing
strongly. A proved track and distance performer, he should be going close here with a good ride.
Perfetto showed no interest last start, forget the run. He should improve with Purton back in the
saddle. Golden Bull was slow to begin last start but made good ground late, the run was good.
Karma will be suited by the rise in distance and can run well.

Race 10: Blue Marlin rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up and go close
to making it bac-to-back wins. Circuit Mighty ultra consistent galloper and who can play a part in the
finish. He is overdue for another win. Outgate showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good
sight (read “Track Spy” for more information). Hyper Dragon Ball has been knocking on the door and
win won’t surprise anyone. Majestic Colour has a chance based on past form in this class of race,
start to follow again.