Mugens seeks redemption at Sha Tin

Luke Middlebrook

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

Race 3 sees a small but quality field contest the Class 2 race over the mile. Smart five-year-old MUGEN aims to atone for a last-start defeat in a highly rated race.

The Pierre Ng-trained gelding has been one of the standouts around Sha Tin this season, winning three out of five races and placing a further two times. However, in his last start, he was sent off at an extremely short quote of $1.2 and could only manage second place. On that occasion in the small field, he presented well at the top of the straight, but the one-length deficit to the eventual winner, RED LION, at the 400m mark seemed to be the deciding factor, given the neck margin at the wire.

It looks promising for MUGEN's chances of redemption this week, especially considering that RED LION went on to finish third, a length behind CALIFORNIA SPANGLE, in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup subsequently.

Meantime, promising three-year-old GORGEOUS WIN is on track to continue his winning ways when he steps out in the final race of the card, the Class 3 race over 1200m.

GORGEOUS WIN is aiming for a winning hat-trick this week and his fourth win in six attempts since bursting onto the scene this season. Though his recent victories haven't been by the biggest of margins, they have still been convincing, while also ensuring that he hasn't faced a rapid increase in ratings. Essentially, they have been soft scores.

GORGEOUS WIN doesn't face a tougher task in terms of competition this week but does go up 4lbs in the weights and has the burden of carrying 135lbs as a three-year-old, which could make him more vulnerable than he has ever been.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Young Horizon looks a solid good chance based on last start and he has since held his form with a decent trial. The one to beat in a moderate Class 5 contest. Tsuen Wan Glory winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to go on with it from the low draw. Hearty Wish drops down in grade and start following, can go close here. Hero Icon will win in this grade very soon and expect a bold run. Patch Of Watch dropping in class and will find this much easier then last start. Start to follow.

Race 2: Noble One has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Purton jumps back in the saddle from a low draw and they look the ones to beat from there. Great Days looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. He should have favours in the run. Smart Leader will win in this grade very soon and look for him flashing home late. Sweet Diamond caught wide last start and still ran well. The wide draw is a concern but his form is good enough. Timestorm had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. With luck in the run, he can run well.

Race 3: Mugen looks the one to beat based on current form. Having his first at the mile is the query but the small field should ensure a sedate tempo. His turn of foot will prove him hard to hold out. Superb Boy looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He is the testing material. Flaming Rabbit can improve 2nd-up from a break and he should be on-pace for a long while. The Golden Scenery can upset some more fancied rivals on best form. All For St Paul’s should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. If left alone, he will give some cheek.

Race 4: The Perfect Match has trialled well for debut and should be rated a winning chance first-up. Metro Warrior last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. He is well rated and has a bit of a class edge on some of these. Super Commander change of trainer recently and watch betting. Prosecco has been placed last three starts, deserves a win soon. He will get back in the run and be storming home late. Glory Elite surprise tactics adopted last run when being ridden forward.

Race 5: Golden Rise looks a good chance based on last start when third to Patch Of Theta which is strong form. Daring Pursuit a last start winner who trialled well since and looks to have plenty of upside. With a good steer from the apprentice, he should prove a strong winning chance. Flying Mojito had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. He should run an improved race from a better draw here. Smart Fighter every chance last start but still ran a good race and has since turned in a decent trial. Barrier 12 is far from ideal how- ever. Beauty Glory down in class in this race, start to follow.

Race 6: Voyage Samurai nice four-year-old with a good chance to bounce back for a win here after checking in runner-up to Patch Of Theta last start which is the standout form line. Drawn well in gate 4 and should receive every chance from there. Golden Darci improving type and getting close to a win. Patch Of Time fresh up from a break and should run well. Betting could be telling. Jumbo Fortune always dangerous in this grade and finds a winnable race. River Views raced wide last start and is better than that form. Can improve.

Race 7: Superb Kid form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Still lightly-raced has has the best form on the board here and should prove the one to beat. Beauty Missile has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon after remaining a maiden still from 15 attempts. A win would not shock here however. Satirical Fan well prepared for debut and is worth considering. Viva Graciousness turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and is improving all the time with racing. Beauty Fit had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Has been honest this season without winning.

Race 8: This is a hot race by Class 4 standards. King Miles turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly on debut but he also had plenty of excuses in the run as he was taken wide and raced very wide and without cover. Storming Dragon newcomer who has trialled well for debut on numerous occasions and looks to have better than Class 4 ability. Super Legends nice 3yo with a good chance here. Sunny Da Best had no luck last start but keep following. Sea Sapphire well supported last start and won accordingly He will be out of trouble hard up on the pace.

Race 9: Winning Data easy last start winner who looks talented enough to measure up in Class 3 and appears to get all the favours from his inside draw on the light weight. Flamingo Trillion had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Overdue for a win this season but just needs things to fall into place. Fallon drops down in grade and start following. Has strong 4YO Series form but will get back and race for luck. Beato caught the eye last start when running home well. Frantanck showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight and will do the same here.

Race 10: Gorgeous Win smart three-year-old who is the one to beat and only has to defy the rise in weight to continue his winning ways. Smart horse on the up who should take a power of beating again. James Tak another nice three-year-old with a good chance to cause an upset here after a nice run last start. Kaholo Angel looks a solid good chance based on last start and he is always a chance in a race like this. Golden Long video replay showed last run was very good. Turin Starspangled well prepared for debut and must be respected but keep an eye on the betting.