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Aug 22, 2023

Sha Tin preview and tips: Sunday, June 4

Racing is at Sha Tin on Sunday for a 10-race programme that includes two races

Racing is at Sha Tin on Sunday for a 10-race programme that includes two races at Group 3 level. Here is our preview of the meeting. The first on the card is set to jump at 4pm local time (6pm AEST), with the last at 8:50pm (10:50pm AEST).READ: Sha Tin presenter selections

Race 1 - Class 4 (1600m) NORTHERN BEAST (4) can open up proceedings with a win. The David Hall-trained galloper ran on for 3rd on debut on May 13 and just needs an even tempo or better here to go a couple of spots better. Look for him to settle back from the barrier. HAPPY DAY (2) didn't quite handle the Soft track last time and can land closer after running 6th behind Master Of Fortune. Zac Purton rides and has picked up 144 wins this season, 66 more than his nearest rival. FOREVER FOLKS (3) is anther that draws wide but comes in with some solid form, winning at the track and trip two starts ago. He ran on for 3rd at his latest and should be strong late in the piece. DARCI JOY (1) is next best. Selections: 4-2-3-1

Race 2 - Class 4 (1200m)We head to the All-Weather Track and this looks to be an open race. COOL BLUE (7) has been edging closer at his last couple of starts and went down in narrow fashion behind Smokey Bear on May 10. He can settle closer in the run this time from the better barrier and gets his chance. MEGA BONUS (6) missed out behind IMPERIAL MAGEE (1) on the AWT on May 10 but meets the winner 2kg better at the weights and ticks boxes with Purton to steer from barrier 3. COLOURFUL PRINCE (11) was a narrow 3rd in the same race as Cool Blue last time and is also in the mix. Selections: 7-6-11-1

Race 3 - Group Three (1600m)The Lion Rock Trophy is one of the two big races on the afternoon and BEAUTY JOY (1) can push the favourite, BEAUTY ETERNAL (3). Beauty Joy was held up when 3rd behind California Spangle two starts ago and landed in front of that horse when runner-up behind Golden Sixty in the Champions Mile on April 30. Nothing wrong with that form. Beauty Eternal has won five of eight and gets his crack at this level. The John Size-trained galloper ran on to fill the exacta behind Red Lion over the 1400m on May 13 and would have finished closer with a better run in transit. CIRCUIT STELLAR (4) might lead them up in the small field and was 3rd in the same race as Beauty Eternal last time. FANTASTIC TREASURE (6) saves ground from the barrier and can land in the first four. Selections: 1-3-4-6

Race 4 - Class 4 (1200m)Going with HONG KONG HALL (6) in Race 4. The David Hall-trained galloper battled over the 1000m at his most recent start but was excellent over the 1200m prior to that when leading before being run down late. He can bounce back with Hugh Bowman on board. GREENWICH (5) creates interest. The three-year-old makes his debut and comes in with a couple of impressive trial performances. Monitor betting. GREEN N WHITE (4) will get back from the barrier and caught the eye when running on to fill the exacta behind Lucky Encounter on April 30. He is worth sticking with. BABY CRYSTAL (1) has won or placed in five of six and must be included. Selections: 6-5-4-1

Race 5 - Class 4 (1400m) LADY'S CHOICE (10) can go close in Race 5. The three-year-old is yet to win in six career starts but has placed at his past two and will be strong late in the piece with Purton to steer. SPEED FAY FAY (12) was a winner at Sha Tin two starts ago and has since finished runner-up behind Storm Legend. The six-year-old can tuck in just behind them from the barrier. STURDY RUBY (6) has drawn wide at his past two starts and ran on from the tail to finish a one-length 4th behind All Is Good on May 7. The Manfred Man-trained galloper can settle closer in the run this time around. PROSECCO (1) might lead and can stick on for a first four finish. Selections: 10-12-6-1

Race 6 - Class 3 (1200m) FLYING ACE (2) should be hard to beat in Race 6. The five-year-old has had just the six career starts, winning four of those in what has been a bit of a stop-start career. He resumed with a solid 3rd behind WINNER METHOD (1) on May 13 and will strip fitter for this assignment. There are a number of ex Aussies in action and market might be the best guide for the likes of HELIOS EXPRESS (9). He was sent over after a dominant Benalla win on debut last year and gets the tick of approval from Purton. HAPPY GOLF (8) had excuses when 8th on May 13 and won two on the trot prior to that. Include. Selections: 2-9-8-1

Race 7 - Group Three (1200m) LUCKY SWEYNESSE (1) is the one to beat in the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase. The four-year-old comes in with the picket fence formline having won his past five starts and was emphatic at Group 1 level on April 30, defeating Courier Wonder by three lengths in the Champions Sprint Prize. The one to beat despite the hefty impost of 61kg. Only danger is VICTOR THE WINNER (7), who is five from seven. The Danny Shum-trained galloper rises from Class 2 and might lead from the inside barrier. He will take a bit of running down with the 52kg. COURIER WONDER (3) and SIGHT SUCCESS (2) fight out the minors. Selections: 1-7-3-2

Race 8 - Class 2 (1200m) YOUTHFUL DEAL (12) goes on with the job in Race 8. The Frankie Lor-trained galloper has been flying on the All-Weather Track of late, winning two on the trot and gets the surface again. Look for him to settle handy from barrier 5 and take some running down with the 53kg on his back. SUPER WIN DRAGON (10) strung together three wins at the track and trip earlier this preparation and has been solid since jumping in grade and distance. He was 3rd behind Hava Nageela over the 1650m last time and drops back to the 1200m. ADIOS (8) might head forward and is another that likes the surface. CAMPIONE (3) is in the mix. Selections: 12-10-8-3

Race 9 - Class 3 (1400m) HOSS (4) just needs to transfer his Happy Valley form and overcome the wide gate to take this one out. The Jamie Richards-trained galloper has won three of his past four and ran on from the tail to defeat Party Warrior on May 3. Zac Purton will look to keep them in his sights in the early to middle stages. CHIU CHOW SPIRIT (6) returns from a two-month break and might settle handy. He placed at his last two starts and has had a trial in the interim. STORM LEGEND (9) is a last start track and distance winner that rises in grade but carries just 51kg after the claimer for Ellis Wong. He draws to get the run of the race. CALIFORNIA VOCE (2) has had two starts since coming to Hong Kong and ran on to fill the exacta behind Brave Dreams in the most recent of those. Include. Selections: 4-6-9-2

Race 10 - Class 3 (1400m)We close off with a Class 3 over the 1400m and SOLID IMPACT (4) can end the day a winner. The five-year-old comes in with six weeks in between runs and was a winner when fresh back in February before placing in four subsequent runs. SEIZING THE MOMENT (3) overcame a wide run before cruising to a nice win on May 7 and draws to be right in the mix again with Purton on board. HAPPY DAILY (11) likes the track and trip and ran on for 3rd at his latest. The son of Pins can challenge late. HYPER DRAGON BALL (6) faded badly at his latest but was excellent prior to that and can be included in what is an open race. Selections: 4-3-11-6