Mighty Stride to close off Sha Tin meeting

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday for a 10-race fixture, highlighted by the running of the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup over 1200m and the Group 3 Centenary Vase Handicap over 1800m.

In the final race of the 10-race programme, promising four-year-old Mighty Stride can atone for a last-start defeat when he returns to Sha Tin in the Class 3 1200m Handicap.

The Ricky Yiu-trained up-and-comer has displayed a ton of ability in his short three-start career, stringing together two wins on end in Class 4 – which included a debut win over rising talent Super Sunny Sing – before testing Class 3 waters for the first time last start. 

Put simply, it was a train wreck of a run. With the pace slackening mid-race, he was awkwardly placed on several occasions before being held up for clear running from upon straightening until approaching the 150m.

Once clear, he finished strongly, but it was too little too late and he had to settle for second place, beaten 1.50 lengths. Holding form with a strong trial since, Mighty Stride, with luck on his side, can get back to his winning ways.

Elsewhere, in-form five-year-old Money Catcher is all set to continue his winning ways when he steps out in the Group 3 Centenary Vase Handicap over 1800m at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Money Catcher has been racing in a rich vein of form this preparation but has been honest as day is long since debuting locally in January last year.

Though it took the Frankie Lor-trained gelding 13 starts to shed his local maiden tag after arriving a one-time winner and four-time place-getter from eight races in New Zealand, Money Catcher has not finished outside of the placings on eight occasions while not beaten far.

Money Catcher has put it all together this term, winning twice from six, including two Group 3 wins which was on his last start when he claimed the Group 3 January Cup (1800m) at Happy Valley. In just a small field of six, Money Catcher looks to get all the favours in the run from gate four under Silvestre De Sousa.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Beauty Nova last run suggested a win was very near. In a weak race, he looks the clear stand out as the one to beat. Encore well-placed and looks a chance in race like this, he can improve here. Chiron ran the fourth fastest sectional time last start for an eye-catching seventh place. Drawn well low to improve. One Step Ahead generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Hunky Dory change of trainer recently and can improve, he could surprise at odds here.

Race 2: Perfetto looked very good in a recent trial on the back of a runner-up finish. Ready to win. Mach Ten last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. He can improve into the money here. Oscar Glory has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. If left alone, he’ll give some cheek. Darci Joy had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, can surprise with luck in the run. Turquoise Alpha another who had genuine excuses last start when caught wide, but on prior good form, he can bounce back.

Race 3: Super Fortune should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way under the 10lb claim and stepping away from barrier 10 which is ideal for the straight course. We Are Hero racing in career-best form at the moment and was an easy last start winner. Barrier 1 looks the question mark here. Run Run Cool go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Quadruple Double has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. Happy Mission caught the eye last start when running home well on debut and improvement is to come.

Race 4: Daring Pursuit more than capable of winning again in this race after an impressive second-up win last start. He seems capable of rising in the handicap some more. Sixth Generation looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form and a low draw under SDS ticks many boxes. Universal Horizon good performance when storming home for third place last start. D Star progressive three-year-old who was well supported last start and won accordingly. Dragon Delight drops down in grade and start following.

Race 5: Timestorm had no luck last start but keep following. Chilli Baba turned in a very nice debut win over 1000m and looks to have good ability. Drawn wide rising to 1200m second-up looks the query. Super Highway go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Galvanic finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start for an eye-catching debut run into seventh. Smart Leader generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Purton takes the ride and has to be kept safe.

Race 6: Supreme Lucky well supported last start and won accordingly. Holds his form with a quiet trial and barrier 4 should see him map to get all the favours. Excellent Fighter finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and the rise to 1200m third-up highly suits. Brave Dreams nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance for Purton. Red Titan had excuses last start and forget the run, he can improve with a quieter ride. King Of The Court last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss.

Race 7: Money Catcher last start winner who retains good form and is the one to beat again in the small field of six contesting the G3 1800 Handicap feature race. SDS should get the dream run from barrier 4. Running Glory turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and he looks suited on the light weight. Senor Toba will find this easier than last start and can run well on true form. Looking Great drawn well and should gain a nice run in transit, but place chances seem best. Ka Ying Star has early speed and can always surprise with the right run.

Race 8: Lucky Sweynesse top class four-year-old who has dominated his races this season, apart from a luckless run in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint, and who looks hard to beat in this race. Wellington clearly is the testing material after his slick G1 Hong Kong Sprint win. First-up here, and is three from four fresh. Sky Field looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form, he’ll be making a late bid. Sight Success last start winner who retains good form and can run well again. Duke Wai video replay showed last run was very good and he can run well at an each-way quote.

Race 9: Drombeg Banner well supported last start and won accordingly, leading all the way. He looked good in a trial since and has drawn well low to get another good run throughout. Romantic Charm newcomer who has trialled well for debut and should be running a big first-up race. Casa Cosmo ran the third fastest sectional time last start and is on the improve. Third-up in Hong Kong here and Purton takes the ride. Erimo looks a solid good chance based on last start, when fourth in a solid run mile race. Happy Together caught the eye last start when running home well, but he was entitled to off a fast early tempo.

Race 10: Mighty Stride simply had no luck last start and overlook the run. Plenty of good horses lining up here but Ricky Yiu’s horses a flying and he can bounce back with Bowman taking over the reins. Dragon’s Luck nice four-year-old with a good chance here after posting two wins and a third from three starts so far. Mark The Moment last run suggested a win was very near and keep safe. California Rad ran home well over 1000m last start but has turned in a strong trial win since and the rise to 1200m suits. Not Usual Star won at big odds last start but can go on with it.