Howdeepisyourlove for G3 Sha Tin success

He Jiong

Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Wednesday for an exciting 11-race fixture, featuring the Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (1000m) and the Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m)

The Bauhinia Sprint Trophy features a small field of just five runners, with three horses expected to be the main contenders for the win.

Heading the list is the John Size-trained Howdeepisyourlove, who comes off a strong fifth-place finish in the Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint 24 days ago. With an explosive turn of foot, the Deep Field gelding is well positioned to return to the winner’s circle in this small field, despite carrying top weight.

Sharing similar form to Howdeepisyourlove in recent starts, Beauty Waves finished just a nose behind the former in their last meeting. Had he not been held up from the 400m to the 200m, he likely would have reversed the result.

Unlike Howdeepisyourlove and Beauty Waves, who have both contested at the highest level, Magic Control boasts an impressive record of two wins and one placing from three attempts over this track and distance. With more upside to come, it would come as no surprise to see him take top honours in this feature race.

Impressive debut winner The Boom Box looks set to continue his winning ways in the Class 4 Handicap over 1200m.

Having trialled well leading up to his debut, it was no surprise to see The Boom Box attract late betting support. Despite jumping from an awkward draw, the Spirit Of Boom gelding settled off the pace and unleashed a devastating turn of foot in the straight, comfortably overhauling his rivals to score a 0.50-length victory.

With another strong trial since, The Boom Box appears to be in excellent form. Facing a similar Class 4 field this week, he remains a strong contender, even with the top weight.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Fun Elite finds a highly winnable race, where he stands out as the form choice, and the apprentice claim ticks another box. Shotgun a newcomer who has trialled well for his debut, he should enjoy a nice trip from pole position, especially with Bowman aboard. Savvy Twinkle has shown ability in trials, watch for betting support. Riding High will find this easier than his last start and improvement is expected. Spicy Spangle has tactical speed and will run well under the right race shape.

Race 2: Smashing Express showed immediate improvement on his Class 5 debut last time out and looks one to follow. Gluck Racer appears to be highly competitive in the cellar grade, and should run well if he handles the rise to 1800m. Turtle Again caught the eye running home powerfully last start and must be respected with a more favourable jockey booking. Go Go Go has the ability and is always dangerous in this grade. However, the wide draw and top weight raise concerns. Red Maverick remains a maiden after 13 starts, but looks a lightweight chance here.

Race 3: The Boom Box an impressive debut winner, he has since trialled well and looks poised to secure back-to-back victories in a field without much depth. Thriving Brothers caught wide last start but still ran well. With better luck in running, he can open his local winning account. Island Breezes should relish the reapplication of blinkers and could improve into the placings with Purton aboard. Invincible Lucky let down well in a slowly run race last start. Worth considering. He Was You showed improvement with a fast-finishing sixth last start. But the wide draw is a major concern.

Race 4: Magic Control a specialist over the 1000m straight course, he stands out on collateral form in terms of weights. Rates highly. Beauty Waves finished strongly into sixth despite being held up in the straight in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint last start. He looks a strong contender in this feature. Howdeepisyourlove will relish the drop from a Group 1 feature, and the small field suits his sit-sprint style. He looks a top contender despite carrying a big weight. Whizz Kid an underrated type, he could surprise at odds with his best form.

Race 5: Brilliant Express is overdue for a win and enters this race off an eye-catching trial. From a decent draw, he looks poised to break through. Dragon Joy scored an easy win in this class last time out and remains a strong chance despite the awkward draw. Devas Twelve a proven performer at this level, he can upset some more fancied rivals if he finds his best form. Circuit Mighty has dropped a lot in ratings and could surprise at odds in a race of this nature. Run Run Timing his last run was much better than it looks and he could sneak into the placings with a smoother run.

Race 6: Yuen Long Elite with a much better draw compared to his last two starts, he should play a key role with Purton remaining aboard. Solid Win has been placed three times from his last five starts and looks overdue for a win. I Am The Boss has shown improvement recently, and a win wouldn’t be surprising here. Oriental Surprise attacked the line strongly late in a slowly run race last time out, and could secure a Top 3 finish with a genuine pace. Phoenix Light could surprise at value with the drop to Class 4, where he boasts a great record of two wins and three placings from seven starts.

Race 7: Legend St Paul’s is edging closer to a win after being placed in all three starts. With Purton aboard, he is primed to shed his maiden tag. Flying Luck flashed home into third despite being badly held up last start. He can make amends with better luck in running. Beauty Alliance won well last start in this class, but needs to cope with a wide draw this time. Smiling Collector appeared to need his first-up run and could improve with added fitness. Only U looks suited by the switch back to the turf track and could place at value.

Race 8: Patch Of Theta a highly promising type, he is ultra-consistent and primed to secure his first Group victory with a lightweight. California Spangle finished a solid fourth in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint last start. He could be hard to run down if given a soft lead, despite carrying top weight. Beauty Joy stormed home for a strong third in the G1 Hong Kong Mile in his latest outing, while the slow pace made his performance more appealing. Green N White will relish the drop to 1400m, where he has a great record, and looks a lightweight chance. Red Lion the drop in distance should work in his favour, and he is not out of it.

Race 9: Sweet Briar is better than his recent form suggests and could bounce back with the drop to a more favourable distance. Storming Dragon comes off a fast-finishing fourth, and from a low draw, he should run well again. Majestic Express let down well to finish third last time and must be rated a strong chance in this below-par Class 3 field. Chateauneuf looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start, and could make amends with a smoother run. Eighty Light Years will find this easier than his last start and could place at odds.

Race 10: Dancing Code appears suited by the switch back to the turf track and gets all the favours (a good draw and apprentice claim) to deliver a commendable performance here. Lifeline Express with a racing style of getting back and charging home, he will make his presence felt under the right race shape. Romantic Son has shown his ability and could break through locally in a race like this. Prawns Eleven backing up quickly from last week, he could surprise at odds if he shows his best form. Endued ignore his last start, where he was significantly hindered by a riderless horse. He deserves another chance.

Race 11: Mickley stormed home to score a brilliant win last start and is well placed in the same class to secure a double. My Wish a winner of his last two starts, he has been in career-best form and should remain competitive if he sees out the mile. Voyage Samurai a consistent frontrunner, he is well placed to go one better after finishing a solid second in Class 2 last time out. Steps Ahead has been consistent since day one and appears ideally weighted. Star Mac generally gets back and charges home late, and should run well if they overcook it in the front. - iRACE Magazine