[FREE PROGRAMS] Hong Kong Sha Tin - March 26, 2025
Race 1 - SWAN HANDICAP
#8 Tradition is likeable on the quick seven-day turnaround after a better-than-it-reads fourth over the extended mile at Happy Valley. He was left racing wide from the 700m but stuck on well in the straight, beaten only two and a half lengths. That was his first foray into Class 5 and he can improve on that effort second-up. #12 Yeaboi goes well fresh with two wins and a second from five first-up attempts. He was a winner at this course and distance two starts ago before backing it up with a strong late run into third when stepping back in trip. Barrier 12 is a concern, but he stands out on form. #4 Yoda’s Choice remains an 18-start maiden but has been runner-up in four of five attempts in this class. He looks set to receive a soft run up front and will be giving a sight. #2 Meepmeep drops into Class 5 for the first time and can be followed now. He was last seen checking in a luckless fourth at this course over 1650m when held up late and unable to be fully tested. Still a maiden after 11 starts, but a win looks close.
Race 2 - SPOONBILL HANDICAP
#6 The Khan is sure to relish an inside draw this time after jumping from barrier 13 over 1200m on turf last start, where he wound up strongly to charge home into third. This marks his first attempt on the all-weather surface, but a soft run from gate 2 should ensure he gets his chance to ring up win number two in the grade. #5 Yeah Buddy is another who can capitalise from a good draw in barrier 3 as he steps down into Class 5. His recent efforts at the bottom of Class 4 have been encouraging, and the drop to the cellar grade looks likely to bring about sharp improvement. #9 Patch Of Watch finally broke through for a long-overdue win last time when afforded a sweet run on the pace, overcoming barrier 10. The track pattern favoured him on that occasion, but once again he’ll be making his own luck up front. #4 The Prime catches the eye stepping into Class 5 and drawing barrier 1, with Hugh Bowman taking the reins. His form has been lacking and his recent trial was plain, but the setup is there to turn things around.
Race 3 - PEACOCK HANDICAP
#5 Chill Kaka is starting to hit his straps. Last start he got well back over 1200m and powered home late into second against the race shape. He steps up in distance here, but now into his fifth career start and trending the right way, a maiden win looks well within reach. #9 Spangle Fortune is going to need luck from a wide draw, and he hasn't had much go his way of late, often caught wide. He was a winner over this course and distance four starts ago, beating Precision Goal—a formline that reads well here. #1 Thesis broke through stylishly two starts ago before backing it up with a solid third. That form is at Happy Valley, but he has performed well enough on the all-weather in the past, which puts him in the mix if he gets across from a wide gate. #3 Von Baer is on his second attempt in Class 4 and can improve as he rises in distance. His overseas wins came over 1400m, while he placed up to 1600m, which suggests this trip will suit.
Race 4 - SPOONBILL HANDICAP
#10 Cheer For South will receive a sweet run from barrier 4 and, despite being a 22-start maiden, his form since switching to the all-weather has been solid. He has posted two runner-up efforts and was a luckless seventh when trapped wide throughout. In a wide-open race, he gets his chance to finally break through. #2 Hinokami Kagura won’t have many excuses as he drops into Class 5 for the first time and draws well in barrier 2. His form has been trending upward since transferring to Chris So’s yard, and a breakthrough win looks close. #4 Sky Prophet arrives off the back of a strong trial and is worth forgiving for his last start, where he raced wide without cover and was well beaten. He placed third over this course and trip three runs ago and is capable of bouncing back. #6 Flying Romantic resumes off a 56-day let-up and turned in his best effort last start when blinkers were applied, finishing second to Ho Ho Star over this trip on turf. From gate 1, he should be handy to the speed and gets his chance.
Race 5 - KESTREL HANDICAP
#8 Looks Outstanding steps out for his third career start and is improving with more racing. He caught the eye on debut with a strong fifth from a wide draw, then was crowded at the start second-up and ran a fair seventh. He can take a positive step forward here, especially with blinkers going on for the first time to sharpen him up. #3 Natural High led from pillar to post for a dominant win last start, scoring by over three lengths. If the track favours leaders, he’ll take some running down again, though barrier 11 might force him to do a bit too much early. #4 Patch Of Time draws ideally in gate 4 as he tries the all-weather for the first time. His last-start second on turf was a good return to form and he can build on that here. #2 Solid Shalaa returns after a long break and is likely to improve with the run, but his trials have been encouraging and he brings solid course and distance form. The mid-draw and booking of apprentice Ellis Wong are both positives.
Race 6 - PEACOCK HANDICAP
#5 Forever Folks returns to his happy hunting ground after a fast-finishing second over 1800m, where he was caught wide from the 800m but still closed off strongly. He’s drawn well in the middle this time, while several key rivals have drawn awkwardly, which could give him the edge to get his nose back in front. #3 Precision Goal has risen sharply in the handicap and may be nearing his ceiling, but he looks set to enjoy a comfortable lead from a soft draw and will be giving his usual bold sight in the run home. #6 Viva Chaleur should be kept safe and is still chasing a breakthrough win after 24 local starts. His form has been improving since dropping into Class 4, with three placings from nine runs, including a last-start third over this course and distance. #1 Stormi will need luck from barrier 13 but shapes as a knockout chance at odds now dropping into Class 4 for the first time. He was a prolific performer on the all-weather overseas and is beginning to show signs of settling in. His last-start eighth here was better than it reads—held up at a key stage before finishing just over three lengths off the winner.
Race 7 - KESTREL HANDICAP
#3 Rising Force has shown promise at the trials leading into his debut for the Ricky Yiu stable. He’s displayed good gate speed in his work, so expect him to utilise that here and race on the pace from a favourable inside draw in barrier 3. It’s a wide-open Class 4 contest, but he looks to be in with a shout. #1 Monta Frutta returns to Class 4 where he’s one from one. His recent form at the bottom of Class 3 has only been fair, but he’s begun to hit his straps in his last two runs, and this is a much weaker contest. #2 Fortune Warrior has been in good form since transferring to David Eustace. He won well two back and followed up with a close-up third—once again, he’s in the firing line. #6 Vulcanus closed off nicely for fifth last time in a race that lacked tempo. He’s on the verge of a Class 4 win on recent efforts, often drawing wide and running on strongly—a pattern likely to repeat here from barrier 10.
Race 8 - FLAMINGO HANDICAP
#10 Fighting Machine turned in a no-show from a wide draw over 1400m on turf last time, but his prior form at this course and distance was promising—posting multiple placings, often from awkward gates. With barrier 3 now in his favour, he can turn his luck around. #14 Lucky Touch rises to Class 3 without a win, but his recent form at the top of Class 4 under big weights has been outstanding. He was beaten by the barrier last time when forced to steady early before launching late into second against the race shape. While gate 9 isn’t ideal, it’s not the worst. #13 New Forest is trending in the right direction after three local starts. He has early speed and looks the likely leader stepping away from barrier 4, with his third at this course and distance two starts back holding him in good stead. #7 Perfect Team will appreciate if there’s speed in the race, as he typically settles midfield and finishes strongly—just like last start when he ran on from ninth into second.
Race 9 - EGRET HANDICAP
#5 Gummy Gummy sets his sights on a first win in over a year and a half but looks to get all the favours here, having put the writing on the wall last start with a fast-finishing second. With a ton of speed engaged, he’s going to receive a sweet run off the pace from barrier 2 under Hugh Bowman and looks hard to hold out. #10 Dragon Air Force will also be suited by a strong tempo. After stringing together back-to-back wins in Class 4, he stepped up to Class 3 last start and missed by a head on the line, proving he’s right up to this grade. #8 Must Go defeated Dragon Air Force on that occasion and was luckless subsequently when caught wide throughout. Forgive that run and give him another chance. #6 Mask Rider remains untapped, having raced just three times in Hong Kong, including a surprise debut win at long odds and a close-up third last start. Barrier 3 will provide a soft run just off the speed, and he should be well within striking range when the pressure goes on inside the 400m—especially if the leaders overdo it.