It's a rare all-weather meeting at Sha Tin this Wednesday, with nine races on the dirt and plenty of opportunities for runners who handle the surface. Raging Warrior looks ready to break through after an encouraging debut, Firefoot gets an excellent chance to make amends for his controversial last-start defeat, while Bustling City can bounce back in the feature sprint.
We've narrowed the meeting down to our top two selections in every race, with the strongest bets highlighted below.
All race times AEDT (Sydney time). Races 6–9 are after midnight on Thursday, 29 October.
Race 1 — 9:45pm · 1650m · Class 5 · Wa Mei Shan Handicap
Happydearhappydeer was heavily supported first-up but blew the start before charging home to be beaten just a neck. He now draws barrier one and gets another excellent opportunity to break through. Team Happy is chasing three consecutive wins and should be prominent in a race lacking obvious early speed, although the seven-pound rise makes his task tougher.
Happydearhappydeer has proven dirt form, an ideal draw and an encouraging first-up performance. Team Happy is the obvious danger with winning momentum on his side.
BetBunkerHas proven dirt form, an ideal draw and an encouraging first-up performance.
Chasing three consecutive wins and should be prominent, though the seven-pound rise makes his task tougher.
Race 2 — 10:15pm · 1650m · Class 5 · Wa Mei Shan Handicap
Winning Diamond produced his best Hong Kong performance when runner-up at Happy Valley last start and looks to be improving since joining David Eustace. He tackles the all-weather for the first time but has trialled encouragingly on the surface and draws barrier three. Oriental Surprise has been racing consistently, has placed on the dirt and gets valuable weight relief with Nichola Yuen aboard.
Winning Diamond appeals as an improving lightweight with a favourable draw, while Oriental Surprise brings more established all-weather form.
BetBunkerAn improving lightweight with a favourable draw and encouraging trial form on the surface.
Brings more established all-weather form and gets valuable weight relief with Nichola Yuen aboard.
Race 3 — 10:45pm · 1200m · Class 5 · Tsim Mei Fung Handicap
Conrad The Great has been knocking on the door and was beaten just a nose over this course and distance last start, with the first two clearing out from the remainder. He now draws barrier one and should enjoy an economical run. Daily Trophy has been excellent in two starts this preparation, including a strong finishing fourth after covering ground last time, but barrier ten presents another challenge.
Conrad The Great has the strongest combination of recent form, course-and-distance experience and an ideal draw. Daily Trophy is the danger if he gets luck in running.
BetBunkerThe strongest combination of recent form, course-and-distance experience and an ideal draw.
The danger if he gets luck in running, despite barrier ten presenting a challenge.
Race 4 — 11:15pm · 1800m · Class 4 · Tiu Yue Yung Handicap
Firefoot was first past the post last start before losing the race on protest and has been remarkably consistent on the all-weather. His recent record reads exceptionally well, and barrier one gives him every chance to enjoy the perfect run. Turin Mascot drops into Class 4 for the first time and should appreciate the easier opposition from barrier two. Yoda's Choice is also dangerous fresh.
Firefoot brings proven dirt form, excellent recent consistency and an ideal barrier. Turin Mascot is the main threat with the class drop in his favour.
BetBunkerProven dirt form, excellent recent consistency and an ideal barrier after losing last start's race on protest.
Race 5 — 11:45pm · 1200m · Class 4 · Shek Uk Shan Handicap
Raging Warrior made an excellent impression on debut, finishing strongly into third over this course and distance despite racing greenly. He has trialled well since, draws barrier five and looks ready to take a significant step forward for the in-form David Hall stable. Leading Dragon is expected to push forward from barrier two and could prove difficult to catch if allowed to control the tempo.
Raging Warrior has considerable upside after a promising debut and should be better for the experience. Leading Dragon is the danger with his early speed and favourable draw.
BetBunkerConsiderable upside after a promising debut and should be better for the experience.
Race 6 — 12:15am · 1650m · Class 4 · Tin Ha Shan Handicap
Happy Universe resumed with an excellent third over this course and distance, beaten only narrowly despite carrying topweight. He should strip fitter second-up and has a solid record on the all-weather. Joltin caught the eye charging home from near last to finish fifth, beaten only half a length, and now draws barrier four, which should allow him to settle much closer.
Happy Universe brings the stronger established dirt form, while Joltin is an appealing improver with a significantly better racing setup. Night Purosangue is another genuine chance from barrier one.
BetBunkerAn appealing improver with a significantly better racing setup after drawing barrier four.
Race 7 — 12:45am · 1200m · Class 4 · Shek Uk Shan Handicap
Giant Leap was narrowly denied over this course and distance last start and has been racing consistently enough to suggest another victory is close. He draws barrier eight but should be competitive with a suitable run. Wolf Coming had little luck last start, finding himself badly held up behind runners, and deserves another chance. Mega Captain also has claims second-up.
Giant Leap has the strongest recent finishing form, while Wolf Coming is capable of sharp improvement with clear running. A competitive race without an overwhelming standout.
BetBunkerHas the strongest recent finishing form after being narrowly denied last start over course and distance.
Capable of sharp improvement with clear running after being badly held up last start.
Race 8 — 1:15am · 1200m · Class 3 · Hebe Hill Handicap
Bustling City looked a rising star of the all-weather when winning consecutive races over this course and distance, including a dominant seven-length victory. He was beaten as a short-priced favourite last start but went too hard in front and was only caught late. Barrier one gives him an excellent opportunity to control his early effort more efficiently. Lucy In The Sky has been consistent all season and draws barrier three, while Blazing Wind is capable of improving sharply back on his preferred surface.
Bustling City has outstanding course-and-distance form and looks the horse to beat if he gets a more measured ride. Lucy In The Sky is the consistent danger.
BetBunkerOutstanding course-and-distance form, including a dominant seven-length win, and looks the one to beat with a more measured ride.
Race 9 — 1:50am · 1650m · Class 3 · Pyramid Hill Handicap
Dragon Air Force endured a luckless run when third over this course and distance last start, encountering interference before finishing strongly. He now draws barrier three and looks beautifully placed to make amends. Nezha has developed a strong liking for the all-weather and was beaten just a nose first-up, suggesting another big performance is close. Lucky Sam Gor has the ability to feature but must prove himself on the dirt.
Dragon Air Force combines proven course-and-distance form with an improved barrier, while Nezha is a genuine threat after an excellent first-up performance.
BetBunkerCombines proven course-and-distance form with an improved barrier after a luckless run last start.
Best bets
Best bet – R5 – 11:45pm – 6 Raging Warrior. An excellent debut third, encouraging subsequent trials and a favourable barrier make him one of the most promising runners on the card. He looks ready to open his winning account.
Next best – R8 – 1:15am – 4 Bustling City. A talented all-weather sprinter who has already produced a dominant seven-length victory at this track. He had excuses last start and should be difficult to beat if he gets a more controlled run in front.
Best value – R6 – 12:15am – 10 Joltin. Caught the eye finishing strongly from the rear last start and now gets a major barrier improvement. He should settle closer and can give the favourites plenty to worry about.
Other strong chance – R4 – 11:15pm – 6 Firefoot. First past the post before losing on protest last start, and now draws barrier one at a track he handles particularly well. A deserving winning chance.
Editorial at The Daily Punt, covering Australian racing and sport with an eye for where the value sits.
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