Super Express set for quick double at Sha Tin

He Jiong

As the third day of the Chinese New Year ushers in fresh fortune and festive energy, Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin on Thursday with a vibrant 11-race card set to bring thrilling action and prosperous excitement throughout the day.

Ultra-consistent four-year-old Super Express looks well placed to secure back-to-back victories in the Class 3 Handicap over 1400m.

The son of Ten Sovereigns boasts two wins and four placings from six starts and resumed in mid-January with a solid runner-up effort before making amends in style last time out. Well supported in the market, he showed good early speed to settle just off the pace from an awkward draw before quickening decisively in the straight to score by three-quarters of a length over this track and distance.

Super Express still appears to have ratings in hand and shapes as the runner to beat despite the rise in weight. That said, the rapidly improving Aurio looks the main danger with champion jockey Zac Purton aboard.

The Pierre Ng-trained Aeroinvincible looks well placed to build on his eye-catching last-start performance in Thursday’s Class 4 Handicap over 1400m at Sha Tin.

After two unplaced efforts over the extended mile at Happy Valley, Aeroinvincible appreciated the drop back to 1400m — the trip at which both of his career wins have been recorded — and responded with a much-improved showing. Sent straight to the lead, the Per Incanto gelding set a strong tempo and battled on gamely in the straight, going down by just 0.75 lengths.

Facing an average Class 4 field, Aeroinvincible can prove a big winning chance. Gallant Epoch, runner-up in another 1400m race on the same day, looms as a key rival, though the sectional data points to Aeroinvincible having the advantage.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Majestic Delight suited by the drop back in distance and looks well placed to break through from a favourable draw. Always My Folks had excuses last start (blood in the trachea) and deserves another chance, given his solid previous form. Noble Deluxe scored an easy on-pace win on the AWT and should run well again even with the return to turf. Come Fast Fay Fay let down well to finish sixth from a wide draw last time out, and from a better gate, he should go close. He Was Me produced his best run in Hong Kong last start and could be on an advantageous mark.

Race 2: Prestige Hall comes off a slashing second over this distance and shapes as a leading contender, despite drawing wide again. Hayday showed marked improvement dropping back to Class 4 last time out and looks one to follow from a low gate. Yee Cheong Glory with a strong turn of foot, he will make his presence felt if the pace suits. Papaya Brose has shown ability in trials and is worth considering with Bowman aboard on debut. Never Settle flopped when heavily backed last start, but a Top 3 finish wouldn’t surprise this time, given the below-par Class 4 field.

Race 3: Glorious Success had drawn well and looks capable of causing an upset in this open contest. Time To Fire held up at a crucial stage last start and could make amends with better luck in running. Master Trillion will relish dropping to Class 4, where his best form lies, and should run well from a low draw. Bucephalas boasts a 50% strike rate in this class, but the wide draw and top weight pose a challenge. Forever Folks scored an easy win on the AWT last start and should run well again, despite the switch back turf, where he has previously performed well.

Race 4: Baby Sakura has responded well in trials and looks primed to deliver a forward showing on debut. Good Luck Happy badly held up and finished a luckless second last start. With a clearer passage, he could make amends on his Sha Tin debut. Master Phoenix encountered traffic in the straight last start and deserves another chance. Kiama posted the second fastest final 400m in a slowly run race last start and could finish in the money with a more genuine tempo. Elite Golf outperformed market expectations to win last time out, but the widest draw remains a concern.

Race 5: Crossborderdude overcame a wide draw to secure a narrow yet impressive win last start, and from an inside gate, he’s poised to go back-to-back. Circuit Champion turned in an eye-catching debut run, and with added experience, he could go one better. Sunny Q ran on well late from a wide draw last start, but has to cope with another awkward gate this time. Voyage Captain has shown improvement in recent trials, and a solid debut performance wouldn’t surprise. Thunder Prince has not been beaten far in his last two starts and should not be overlooked.

Race 6: Soleil Fighter looks a standout on collateral form and must be considered a leading contender with Purton aboard. Top Dragon ideally placed at the weights, he should map well from a low draw and be highly competitive. Encountered boasts an impressive record in Class 2 and should be right in the mix even under top weight. Stunning Peach has mixed his form of late but could prove a value pick with a light weight on his back. Beauty Eternal has shown signs of regaining form recently and could cause an upset.

Race 7: Aeroinvincible stuck on well for second after setting a frantic pace last start, and with a kinder run likely from a low draw, he could go one better. Gallant Epoch a natural frontrunner, he has been in consistent form recently and looks poised to continue his strong run, despite the wide draw. Good Luck Babe the drop in class works in his favour and the engagement of Purton ticks another box. Lucky Mcqueen has placed three times from his past five starts and appears to be edging closer to a win. Amazing Fun finished a slashing second in a race with franked form last start.

Race 8: New Future Folks his fast-finishing ninth last start was better than it reads, given that he recorded the second-fastest final 400m off a slow tempo. Happy Index scored an easy win last start, though aided by a perfect run, and is chasing a double with Purton staying aboard. Thunder Kit found the line well late after a tardy start last time out, and with a clean jump, he should figure in the finish. The Unique Star his local debut was encouraging but he will need some luck from a wide draw. Together We Value finished a slashing second on his local debut and the rise in trip could suit him better.

Race 9: The Auspicious with his versatile running style, he is well weighted in this staying contest. Prestige Good narrowly denied after making the running last start, and should run well again under similar conditions. Gentlemen Legacy has gone close in his last two starts and remains a strong chance, despite carrying top weight. Seraph Gabriel finished strongly for second after receiving heavy market support last start, and looks one to follow. Le Zonda his local debut was a pass-mark and he is open to further improvement with Purton taking the reins second-up.

Race 10: Hot Delight defied the widest draw to score an impressive debut win last start. With more upside to come, he’s primed to secure successive victories, despite stepping up to Class 3. Helene Supafeeling an awkward jump blunted his winning chances last start and he could make amends with a cleaner getaway. Mount Everest finished a creditable fifth on his Class 3 debut last start and has drawn well to make an impact. Armour War Eagle looks capable of bouncing back anytime in this grade if things fall his way. King Of Fighters has trialled well for his return and could sneak into the placings at long odds.

Race 11: Super Express a progressive 4YO, he won well second-up and looks poised to secure a double in Class 3. Aurio has been in career-best form this season, and with Purton aboard, he looks the second-best in this field. Positive Smile has scored his last two starts in style and remains a chance, despite rising back to Class 3. Flash Current caught the flashing home powerfully last start and is worth considering if his odds still present value. Do Your Part his recent form has been consistent, making him hard to overlook in this field.