Ho hopes to be a Dream Winner at Sha Tin

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues on Sunday for a 10-race fixture at Sha Tin.

Sunday marks top jockey Vincent Ho’s return to the saddle and Sha Tin and it also sees the return of promising four-year-old Dream Winner, who Ho aims to remain unbeaten on when they tackle the Class 2 Handicap over 1000m.

Ho missed the first two meetings of the new season due to injury, but his return is timely as he and Dream Winner vie for a fourth straight win. The Frankie Lor-trained gelding couldn’t have been more impressive stringing together three wins on end at this track and distance last term, and this season could see him rise to a level where he competes against Hong Kong’s best.

With just a small field of five going to post, Dream Winner’s first run for the season shapes as a good starting off point with bigger goals in mind.

In race 7, a Class 3 Handicap over 1200, keep an eye on in-form trainer Pierre Ng’s progressive four-year-old Greenwich, who was sent off a well-backed odds-on chance last week, but missed the start and was simply too far back in the run.

He wound up late in the straight to be the best of the rest, checking in a half-length into second place. With a clean jump, he can improve, and Ng will be hoping to put a few hard luck stories behind him and add another winner to the tally.

It’s a hot race, however, and trainer Francis Lui’s unbeaten four-year-old JOYFUL HUNTER piques plenty of interest. He tries Sha Tn for the first time after posting two very impressive victories at Happy Valley last season.

The field also boasts other talent such as trainer Douglas Whyte’s Dragon’ s Luck, LUCKY Encounter for David Hayes, and Tony Cruz’s speedsters, Super Fortune and California Vanes.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Self Improvement trialled very well in blinkers and looks ready to win first-up. Fiery Diamond should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and expect a better performance. Imperial Magee caught the eye last start when running home well and he should be doing the same here. Euro Rocks resuming from a break and trialled well recently, he is open to improvement this preparation. California Cible resuming from a break and the recent trial was okay. Betting market best guide.

Race 2: A typical wide-open race with plenty of chances here. All Is Ready changed trainer to Mark Newnham and trialled very well recently, he should run a big race for the new trainer. Sure Joyful drops in class here and finds a suitable race, start to follow. Miracles well placed and looks a chance in race like this. M M Nebula change of trainer recently and can improve. Noble Steed good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. If the pace is on, he’ll be coming home strongly.

Race 3: Dream Winner highly promising four-year-old from the Frankie Lor yard who showed a stack of ability last season, winning three-straight, and looks headed much higher this season. Whizz Kid a fast beginner who can run well for Purton in the small field of six. We Are Hero goes well first-up from a break and should be respected given his strong track and distance stats. Carroll Street has a great first-up statistic and must be rated a chance. He will be trailing and pouncing late. Kurpany could sneak a place in a race like this.

Race 4: Another wide-open Class 5 contest. Smart Leader backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again with fitness on his side. Sunny Baby generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home, but Purton could make use of the low draw if he wants to. Chiu Chow Brother change of trainer recently and watch betting, could be one to improve here. Fortune Master has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon, but the wide draw is the concern. Millennium Falcon down in class in this race and should perform better.

Race 5: Man Star down in class in this race and should perform better. Purton takes the ride, the trial, was good enough and, at his best, he’s too good for this field. Cool Blue will be suited by the switch back to AWT track and from barrier 1, he should map a chance. Flying Dragon can bounce back a winner anytime in this class, start to follow. Colourful Prince a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead, he should give a sight. Trader has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Drawn out in 10, but has early speed and could come across easily enough.

Race 6: Lucky Eternity improving type and getting close to a win. From barrier 1 under Bowman, this race presents the perfect opportunity for him to get on the board. Entrusted down in class in this race and should perform better. Blinkers go on first time also, which is interesting for the seven-year-old. Looking Cool has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. Pakistan Friend winner of last two starts and should run another big race here. Cyber Patch showed improvement at a recent trial and may improve on his third career start.

Race 7: Handy race here with some in-form sprinters lining up. Joyful Hunter quality type who remains unbeaten and looks to have good upside. He rises to Class 3 for the first time, but looks headed higher. Greenwich backing up quickly from a good last start effort where he had no luck and should be in the finish. Dragon’s Luck consistent form lately and gets barrier 1. He gets all the favours. Lucky Encounter nice four-year-old with a good chance here. California Vanes a last start winner who trialled well since.

Race 8: Dream Pursuer will win in this grade very soon and his last start was much better that in reads. Hopefully Bowman makes use of barrier 3. Ka Ying Warrior resuming from a break and trialled well recently, he should improve on his first-up failure last season. Wide Blue Yonder can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and barrier 2 will provide the right run. Podium blinkers have been added and can surprise. Diamond Forever change of trainer recently and can improve. Watch the betting.

Race 9: Owners’ Praise drops down in grade and start following. With Purton on from barrier 1, he is hard to oppose. Champion Instinct had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Super Winner backing up quickly from a good last start effort when winning well and can run well again. Copartner Ambition had vet excuses last start and forget the run. He was favourite that day and should run a race here. King Of The Court has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon.

Race 10: Superb Boy more than capable of winning again in this race after an easy last-start win. He should map perfectly from barrier 2 and be hard to hold out. E Legend should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way from barrier 1. Hyper Dragon Ball has shown ability and gets his chance to win here, but Purton will need to be at his best from barrier 12. Royal Pride caught the eye last start when running home well and he could run a race at odds here. Lightning Bolt eased early before going on to make late ground. Hard to catch but does have some ability.