Seasons Wit for Sha Tin success

Luke Middlebrook

Trainer Jamie Richards can continue his good from with three-year-old Seasons Wit in the Class 3 1000m Handicap at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Seasons Wit is on his second Hong Kong start this week after arriving a one-time winner and four-time placegetter from five starts in Australia under the name Eros. Making his local debut over this distance at Happy Valley 25 days ago, Seasons Wit turned in a promising run into second place. The Capitalist looked the winner at one stage in the straight, where he took the lead inside the 200m, but condition told over the final few strides and he was narrowly beaten by a neck.

Seasons Wit has since trialled ideally in blinkers, which he wore to victory on his final start in Australia, so it looks key to his chances on Sunday. Zac Purton remains in the saddle and barrier No 9 is a decent draw for the Sha Tin straight course.

Elsewhere, progressive four-year-old Excellent Fighter can score two wins on end when he rises to Class 3 in the 1200m Handicap.

Excellent Fighter debuted with a big win down the Sha Tin straight in mid-December, bungling the start but coming with a barnstorming run to win narrowly by a head.

Second-up, he began fairly again which dampened his chances, still closing off hard and fast into fourth and beaten one length. Third-up, the Ricky Yiu-trained gelding stepped up to 1200m but drew wide but performed well in a fast run race to check home fourth.

A month between runs, Excellent Fighter broke through for his second career win last start, leading all the way from barrier No 10 to score easily by 2.50 lengths. With more to come, he can handle the rise in class and finds a winnable race.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Hong Kong Hall ran out of condition last start and will be fitter now second-up and gets his chance to score. Sight Hero hammered in the betting last start but bungled the start, charging home late. He is a roarer, so can mix his form. Happy Soul consistent form lately and can score here. Classic Moon good performance when storming home for third place last start and can be followed. Golden Luck second start after being in the market first-up and will be fitter, improvement to come.

Race 2: Superb Daddy has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. From the low draw, he will map a chance in a wide-open race. Dragon Pride looks a solid good chance based on last start and is always a threat in Class 5. He just needs luck from barrier 14. Over The Moon drops down in grade and start following. Murray’s Partners narrowly beaten last start and goes close here if he can turn in a repeat. Hang’s Choice best run to date was last start and appears to be improving, the low draw affords all hope.

Race 3: Speedy Smartie caught the eye last start running home powerfully into fourth on debut. He looks hard to beat second-up with Purton riding from barrier 3. Moduleconstruction looks overdue for a win, placing third in all three starts so far, and enters this race in good form. Imperial Magee has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve from a low draw. Noble Boyz change of trainer recently and watch betting, he could be an improver. Chilli Baba has shown ability and gets his chance to win here.

Race 4: Winwin Thirtythree has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. A typical Class 5 with many chances, but from barrier 3, he should map ideally. Fortune Master well supported last start and won accordingly. With luck from barrier 10, he can remain competitive. Young Horizon will win in this grade very soon, each-way claims. Give Way Please has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Alloy Star generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Barrier 2 could see him run a race at a price.

Race 5: Lost Child recent barrier trial was good, suggesting a big run can be expected. He has performed well without much luck on each of his two starts so far and gets his chance here. Publicist faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape and the low draw ensures the map favours him. Galvanic was not disgraced last start when beaten by a very smart horse and he is another genuine winning chance. Ariel go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Gallant Hero generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. He has ability, but his racing pattern hurts his chances.

Race 6: Owners’ Praise had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Eighteen Palms remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here. The switch to Sha Tin should suit and he has ability. Thunderboltaurus improving type and getting close to a win, and he looked well in a recent quiet trial. Darci Joy was an easy last start winner and must be respected again. Dragon Delight fair run last start and place chance in a race such as this

Race 7: Excellent Fighter rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up after an impressive all-the-way win last start. He has more to come. Colourful Emperor has trialled well for debut on several occasions, showing great gate speed, and should be rated a chance. It looks as though he’ll be trying to lead from pillar to post. Mark The Moment has shown ability and gets his chance to win here. Beauty Inspire has been steadily improving and do not dismiss. Ace One fresh up from a break and should run well, but the market could be telling.

Race 8: Seasons Wit turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. Blinkers go on second-up, which he wore to victory in Australia, and he can win second-up. Pleasant Endeavor last start winner who retains good form and can run well again. Nicconi County good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and he has drawn well for the straight course here. Talents Supremo video replay showed last run was very good. Cheval Valiant last start winner who rises in class but can measure up.

Race 9: Ching nice four-year-old with a good chance here after an easy last-start win. He has drawn ideally low, from where he should map with every chance again. Happy Together go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here after an excusable run over longer last start. Sinba a one-time winner that is well placed at this level, he should have more to offer. The Best Peach good performance when storming home for third place last start. Massive Action should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way.

Race 10: Jumbo Legend nice four-year-old with a good chance here but in a wide-open race. He should enjoy switching to this track and distance. Solid Impact consistent form lately and can score here with the right run. Beauty Mis- sile having third start and may improve here, but he needs luck from barrier 13. Happy Daily appears to be very well suited by the track and distance of this race and barrier 4 should provide a good run in transit. Universal Horizon rising in class without winning and meets better quality horses but can measure up.