Luke Middlebrook
Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Sunday for a 10-race turf and dirt fixture, one week out from Champions Day.
Hopefully progressive four-year-old Hava Nageela can kick off the day in style as aims to secure back-to-back wins in the Class 3 1650m Handicap on Sha Tin’s all-weather track.
Hava Nageela has shown ability since day dot after making his local debut six starts ago in early December. However, the Frankie Lor-trained gelding encountered plenty of bad luck along the way, which dashed his winning hopes though he still was performing well.
After storming home into second place two starts ago when ridden negatively, it paved the way for him to be hard to beat at his subsequent start, and that he was.
From barrier No 1 on this track and distance, he duly saluted as a heavily backed odds-on favourite, cruising away by 2.75 lengths. In just the small field of seven, now that the penny has dropped, he can go on with it.
In the final race of the card, trainer Caspar Fownes’ four-year-old Straight Arron looks hard to hold out in the Class 2 1800m Handicap.
Fownes has turned Straight Arron's form around after the highly spruiked Australian import showed little in three starts for trainer David Hayes.
The Fastnet Rock gelding won impressively by 1.25 lengths over this distance on his first start for Fownes, before an eye-catching fifth in the slow-run Hong Kong Derby where he made up good ground against the race shape.
Straight Arron is well placed at the weights on 54.5kg, given he was 0.25 lengths ahead of Sword Point in the set-weights Derby, and that horse is 2.5kg worse off on Sunday. The up-and-comer looked well in a recent trial and should be getting the race run to suit.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Hava Nageela was an easy last start winner and he should be able to repeat that performance again here in the small field. The one to hold out. Rocket Spade has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Ample winning chances of late but he’s a model of consistency. Secret Vision has finished close up recently and can run well under Purton. So We Joy finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and is always a chance on this track and distance. Skyey Supreme should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, he’ll give a massive sight.
Race 2: Amazing Teens more than capable of winning again in this race given that he has drawn barrier 1. Hard to overlook the Bow- man/Size combination. Asian One was an easy last start winner and must be respected. He’s flying after a stable change and looks to have more to come3. Billionaire Secret good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, but he will likely be dictated to by the wide draw again. High Cloud caught the eye last start when running home well and is improving. Fast Buck had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Drawn 2, he will map kindly.
Race 3: Dan Attack talented newcomer who looks ready to win here after turning in several impressive trials for Purton and Richards. Barrier 10 for the straight course is ideal. Star Club another debutant who has trialled well and should be rated a chance, but barrier 2 is not the best. Like That unbeaten in this class and must be a big chance as an experienced runner. Shinkansen newcomer who has caught the eye at the trials and can run a race first-up. Innoconstruction recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting a good run can be expected after he had vet excuses last time.
Race 4: War Weapon has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Thunderboltaurus has shown ability and gets his chance to win here in a race that lacks depth. The Hulk last start winner who retains good form and can run well as has drawn barrier 1 again, from where he’ll map kindly. Darci Joy was a winner two starts ago and appears well placed here on best form. Looking Cool has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve at an each-way price.
Race 5: An open race with a few leading chances drawn wide. Everyone’s Victory is worth taking a punt on at his second run back in Class 4 after catching the eye last start when ridden negatively. Shining Fortune was an easy last start winner and must be respected, but he has barrier 11 to overcome. The Best Hero consistent performer of late and worth considering. He has drawn low and goes forward, great each-way chance. Lucky Banner caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds. I Give showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight.
Race 6: Superb Capitalist looks one of the more interesting runners on the card after turning in an impressive trial win on the AWT. He tries the surface for the first time under race conditions and should give a massive sight under Chung’s 3.5kg claim. Adefill winner of last three starts and looks a top chance. Gummy Gummy has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Toronado Phantom backing up quickly from a good last start effort and will relish a fast-run race. Youthful Deal last start winner who retains good form and can run well again.
Race 7: Galvanic recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting a big run can be expected. He is ready to score his first career win and will get all favours from barrier 2 under Purton. All Riches drops down in grade and start following. He will lead them up and, if rated well, could be hard to get past. Lost Child more than capable of winning again in this race, but barrier 13 isn’t ideal. D Star form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Blue Marlin has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone, he’s improving all the time.
Race 8: Midori Beauty resuming from a break and recent trial win was impressive. Barrier 3 should ensure he maps with all the favours. Brave Dreams last start winner who retains good form but has barrier 12 to overcome. If the pace is on again, he’ll be hard to hold out. Good Buddy turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and is consistent. Wonder Kit every chance last start but still ran a good race. Noble Win showed improvement at a recent trial and expect a good run with Size and Purton combining from barrier 2.
Race 9: Beauty Inspire finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start from a wide draw. He comes into barrier 3 and trialled impressively in between runs. He’s ready to get on the board locally. Solid Impact nice horse who is a model of consistency and is the other leading chance. California Voce well prepared for debut, having trialled nicely, and is worth considering. Run Run Buddy racing consistently of late and expect another big run with luck from barrier 11. Endeared newcomer who has trialled well for debut and should give a sight.
Race 10: Straight Arron caught the eye last start when running home well in the Derby. Back in trip and on 54.5kg, he looks awfully hard to hold out here. Sword Point form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Barrier 4 should ensure he maps well for Bowman. Alacrity rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up and he clearly has more to come. Sweet Encounter last run in the Derby was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Have to respect with Purton riding. Champion Dragon good effort last start leading all the way to win, he’ll aim to do the same here.