Racing Tips

Sha Tin Racing Tips: Sunday, February 21st

Tim Geers previews the racing in Hong Kong on Sunday afternoon, with a trio of feature races on the card at Sha Tin.

by
Tim Geers
21 February 2021

Sha Tin hosts a huge 10-race card on Sunday afternoon with multiple feature races to look forward to.

The meeting is headlined by the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, the Group 1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, and the Hong Kong Classic Cup.

Tim Geers has previewed some of the key races on the card and picked out his best betting tips below.

Race 1

Gold-Fun Hcp (C4) (1200m)
4:00pm (AEDT)

Race 1 Gold-Fun Hcp (C4) (1200m) 4:00pm (AEDT)
1. Thou Shall Sing (4) J: C Ho (60.5kg) T: K W Lui	10	10	9.5	11	10
2. California Gungho (9) J: M Chadwick (60kg) T: A S Cruz	17	18	15	15	17
3. Resolute (1) J: K Teetan (59.5kg) T: A T Millard	5.5	4.8	4.6	4.6	4.9
4. Lumen Baba (6) J: C Chau (58kg) T: D Whyte	126	126	101	101	121
5. Fa Fa (12) J: M Poon (57kg) T: F C Lor	31	31	26	26	29.5
6. H Z Tourbillon (11) J: C Schofield (57kg) T: C S Shum	67	61	51	51	59
7. Untold Riches (3) J: Z Purton (57kg) T: C W Chang	1.7	1.75	1.9	1.9	1.74
8. Amazing Knight (10) J: K Leung (56.5kg) T: C H Yip	126	101	81	81	97
9. Hard Promise (2) J: N Callan (56kg) T: P Yiu	34	26	21	21	25
10. Sea Monarch (8) J: M Yeung (55.5kg) T: W Y So	101	101	61	61	95
11. Happy Tango (7) J: J Moreira (52kg) T: Y S Tsui	8.5	8.5	9.5	9	8.5
12. Hey Pal (5) J: V Borges (51.5kg) T: J J Size	46	51	51	51	47

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

The day starts with a very short-priced favourite in the form of (7) Untold Riches. I have no knock on that horse but I do think there’s one at a bit of value here, and that’s (1) Thou Shall Sing. He drops back into Class 4 after doing all his recent racing in Class 3. He also returns to the dirt today and he has three wins from five starts over this particular track and distance. Last time he raced in Class 4, he put two wins together so he should be able to run a decent race here at double figure odds.

Tip: (1) Thou Shall Sing $10 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units E/W Thou Shall Sing

Race 2

Ambitious Dragon Hcp (C2) (2000m)
4:30pm (AEDT)

Race 2 Ambitious Dragon Hcp (C2) (2000m) 4:30pm (AEDT)
1. Butterfield (8) J: C Chau (60kg) T: C S Shum	9.5	9.5	10	10	9.6
2. Glorious Artist (7) J: C Ho (59.5kg) T: F C Lor	34	34	34	34	33
3. Assimilate (4) J: C Schofield (57.5kg) T: K H Ting	9.5	9.5	9	9	9.5
4. Reliable Team (6) J: K Teetan (57.5kg) T: F C Lor	13	11	10	11	11.6
5. Charity Go (9) J: A Badel (55.5kg) T: C S Shum	5	5	4.8	5	4.95
6. Flying Quest (2) J: M Poon (55kg) T: D J Hall	16	15	15	13	14.4
7. Tianchi Monster (3) J: A Hamelin (55kg) T: W Y So	9	8	8	8	8.1
8. Panfield (1) J: J Moreira (54.5kg) T: A T Millard	2.3	2.4	2.6	2.6	2.35
9. Golden Spectrum (5) J: M Chadwick (52.5kg) T: A S Cruz	20	20	17	17	20

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

Race 3

The Queens Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m)
5:00pm (AEDT)

Race 3 The Queens Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) 5:00pm (AEDT)
1. Southern Legend (2) J: K Teetan (57kg) T: C Fownes	3.4	3.4	3.4	3.4	3.45
2. Waikuku (6) J: J Moreira (57kg) T: J J Size	2.35	2.4	2.6	2.6	2.35
3. Ka Ying Star (8) J: Z Purton (57kg) T: A S Cruz	6	6	6.5	6.5	6
4. More Than This (5) J: K Leung (57kg) T: K W Lui	18	17	15	15	16.8
5. Wishful Thinker (1) J: C Schofield (57kg) T: C H Yip	67	51	41	41	49
6. Champion's Way (9) J: A Badel (57kg) T: J J Size	13	10	13	11	11.6
7. Mighty Giant (3) J: N Callan (57kg) T: P Yiu	15	15	10	10	14.6
8. Buddies (7) J: M Chadwick (57kg) T: A S Cruz	51	41	51	51	39
9. Not Usual Talent (4) J: T Piccone (57kg) T: T P Yung	27	26	26	26	25.5

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

The first Group 1 of the day is the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, which looks a race in two.

(1) Southern Legend might just find the 1400m a bit sharp but I’m going to put him on top anyway. I think at the prices, I’d be with him over (2) Waikuku.

Southern Legend comes into this having run 2nd to Golden Sixty over the mile in his past two starts, both times finishing ahead of Waikuku. There hasn’t been much separating these two for a few years, even going back to the last time they met over 1400m in 2019, where there was 0.2L splitting them. So, even though Waikuku has a better record over 1400m, I’ll take the better price for Southern Legend.

Tip: (1) Southern Legend $3.75 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 1 unit WIN Southern Legend

Race 4

Super Kid Hcp (C4) (1800m)
5:35pm (AEDT)

Race 4 Super Kid Hcp (C4) (1800m) 5:35pm (AEDT)
1. Cable Speed (8) J: C Wong (60.5kg) T: Richard Gibson	151	126	101	101	121
2. Fast Pace (7) J: N Callan (60.5kg) T: C Fownes	6.5	6.5	7	7	7
3. Ezra (10) J: J Moreira (59.5kg) T: A T Millard	4.6	5	6	6	4.7
4. More Than A Horse (2) J: C Chau (59.5kg) T: D Whyte	8	7.5	6.5	6.5	7.1
5. Pakistan Friend (12) J: T Piccone (59.5kg) T: W Y So	5.5	4.8	5	5	5.3
6. Joyful Heart (4) J: K Teetan (59kg) T: F C Lor	10	10	10	10	9.7
7. Play Wise (13) J: M Poon (57kg) T: C H Yip	35	34	31	31	31
8. Bulletproof (9) J: K Leung (56kg) T: P Yiu	8.5	8.5	8	8	8.2
9. Star Of Red (3) J: M Yeung (56kg) T: K H Ting	251	151	101	101	151
10. Exaltation (14) J: Z Purton (54kg) T: A S Cruz	8	7	10	10	7.7
11. Amazing Luck (11) J: M Chadwick (53.5kg) T: P D O'sullivan	41	41	41	41	38
12. Yes We Can (5) J: A Badel (53kg) T: T P Yung	16	17	21	17	16
13. Mcmunigal (1) J: H Wong (52.5kg) T: D Ferraris	67	67	61	61	63
14. Jimmu (6) J: V Borges (52kg) T: Y S Tsui	16	17	15	17	16.2

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

Race 5

California Memory Hcp (C4) (1400m)
6:05pm (AEDT)

Race 5 California Memory Hcp (C4) (1400m) 6:05pm (AEDT)
1. Charge On (3) J: M Poon (60.5kg) T: D J Hall	15	15	12	13	14.6
2. Master Hero (5) J: J Moreira (59.5kg) T: A S Cruz	5	5	5.5	5.5	4.85
3. Charity Grace (4) J: A Badel (58.5kg) T: C S Shum	2.1	2.15	2.2	2.2	2.15
4. Oriental Amigo (1) J: V Borges (57kg) T: Y S Tsui	31	34	34	31	30
5. Oscar Glory (10) J: Z Purton (56.5kg) T: F C Lor	18	18	16	17	17.8
6. Run Des Run (6) J: C Ho (56.5kg) T: K W Lui	151	151	101	101	121
7. Steel Win (2) J: A Hamelin (56.5kg) T: C W Chang	23	20	19	21	20
8. Unicornbaby (12) J: M Chadwick (56.5kg) T: Richard Gibson	26	26	34	31	25
9. Vukan (14) J: K Leung (56kg) T: P D O'sullivan	11	10	9.5	9	11
10. Brilliant China (9) J: C Schofield (56kg) T: T P Yung	201	201	151	151	181
11. Casa Kingdom (11) J: B Shinn (56kg) T: D A Hayes	21	21	20	21	21.5
12. Sam's Love (13) J: N Callan (56kg) T: C H Yip	46	41	51	41	41
13. Breeze Of Spring (8) J: K Teetan (53.5kg) T: K H Ting	11	11	9.5	11	11
14. Smart Charade (7) J: M Yeung (52kg) T: W Y So	21	21	26	21	21

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

Race 6

Good Ba Ba Hcp (C3) (1200m)
6:35pm (AEDT)

Race 6 Good Ba Ba Hcp (C3) (1200m) 6:35pm (AEDT)
1. California Concord (8) J: C Ho (60.5kg) T: A S Cruz	15	13	12	13	13
2. Mega Heart (1) J: C Chau (60kg) T: C W Chang	8.5	8.5	7.5	8	8.4
3. Utopia Life (3) J: N Callan (58kg) T: K L Man	7	8	9	8	7.8
4. All For South (11) J: J Moreira (57.5kg) T: F C Lor	9.5	10	11	11	10
5. Harmony And Rich (12) J: A Badel (56.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	61	61	61	61	57
6. Fabulous Eight (7) J: K Leung (54.5kg) T: P Yiu	27	31	34	34	30
7. Lucky Fun (10) J: Z Purton (54.5kg) T: C S Shum	2.4	2.4	2.4	2.4	2.4
8. Biz Power (4) J: T Piccone (54kg) T: P D O'sullivan	18	17	17	17	16.6
9. Man Star (2) J: K Teetan (54kg) T: K H Ting	14	14	15	15	13.8
10. Ming Warrior (9) J: H Wong (53kg) T: D Ferraris	201	201	151	151	181
11. Super Alliances (6) J: M Chadwick (53kg) T: J J Size	16	14	14	13	13.8
12. Flying Bonus (5) J: A Hamelin (52.5kg) T: C H Yip	10	11	9.5	10	11

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

Another race on the dirt here, and I’m with another horse who drops in class and should be competitive.

(1) California Concord comes back to Class 3, goes up to 1200m, and is second up from a break. He has a terrific second up record, with three wins from four starts. He actually won over this track and distance back in September off a very similar setup to this – second up from a 10-week break. With even luck he can run a very good race at $13.

Tip: (1) California Concord E/W $13 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units E/W California Concord

Race 7

The Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m)
7:05pm (AEDT)

Race 7 The Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) 7:05pm (AEDT)
1. Golden Sixty (4) J: C Ho (57kg) T: K W Lui	1.33	1.35	1.28	1.4	1.34
2. Exultant (2) J: Z Purton (57kg) T: A S Cruz	7	7	6.5	6.5	6.8
3. Furore (3) J: J Moreira (57kg) T: A S Cruz	8.5	8.5	8	7.5	8.2
4. Columbus County (5) J: B Shinn (57kg) T: C Fownes	46	41	41	34	39
5. Playa Del Puente (6) J: A Badel (57kg) T: C S Shum	41	41	34	31	38
6. Time Warp (1) J: K Leung (57kg) T: A S Cruz	51	41	51	41	41
7. Glorious Dragon (7) J: M Poon (57kg) T: K W Lui	18	15	12	11	14.8

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

The second Group 1 of the day sees (1) Golden Sixty step up to 2000m in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. He now has 15 wins from 16 career starts and his only prior start over this distance was when he won the Hong Kong Derby coming from another postcode. Sit back and enjoy the show.

Tip: (1) Golden Sixty $1.25 Bet365

Betting Strategy: No bet

Race 8

Lucky Nine Hcp (C2) (1200m)
7:40pm (AEDT)

Race 8 Lucky Nine Hcp (C2) (1200m) 7:40pm (AEDT)
1. Will Power (4) J: K Teetan (60.5kg) T: D Whyte	5	5.5	6	7.5	5.2
2. Red Desert (6) J: C Schofield (56.5kg) T: J J Size	8	7	7	6.5	6.9
3. Encore Boy (3) J: M Poon (55.5kg) T: P Yiu	14	13	13	13	12.6
4. Hong Kong Bet (12) J: K Leung (55.5kg) T: K H Ting	34	31	34	34	31
5. Czarson (8) J: Z Purton (54kg) T: P Yiu	3.6	3.8	3.8	3.8	3.75
6. Highland Fortune (10) J: C Ho (54kg) T: K W Lui	31	31	34	31	30
7. Silver Fig (9) J: A Hamelin (53.5kg) T: A T Millard	18	17	16	15	16.8
8. Sunny Boy (5) J: M Chadwick (52.5kg) T: W Y So	19	20	21	21	20.5
9. Ugly Warrior (2) J: J Moreira (52.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	4.2	4.2	3.7	3.8	4.3
10. Elite Patch (11) J: M Yeung (52kg) T: K W Lui	67	51	34	41	49
11. We The South (7) J: V Borges (52kg) T: F C Lor	14	16	15	15	16
12. Young Legend (1) J: H Mo (51.5kg) T: C S Shum	101	81	51	51	79

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

Back to the dirt and I’m pretty keen on two horses here.

(1) Will Power loves this surface, with five wins and three placings from nine starts at the track and distance. He ran well on the turf at Happy Valley last start, and prior to that was beaten a neck here on the all-weather with the same weight. He should be very hard to beat.

The other horse I think can go close is (9) Ugly Warrior who does his best racing on the dirt. He’s got six wins and three placings from 16 starts on the dirt and last time he raced here, he ran 3rd. That was when Joao Moreira rode him and he’s back on today. He’s a $6.00 chance.

Tip: (1) Will Power $3.60 Ladbrokes

Also Backing: (9) Ugly Warrior $6.00 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 2 units WIN Will Power, 1 unit WIN Ugly Warrior

Race 9

The Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m)
8:15pm (AEDT)

Race 9 The Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) 8:15pm (AEDT)
1. Sky Darci (4) J: J Moreira (57kg) T: C Fownes	8.5	8	8	8	8.1
2. Excellent Proposal (5) J: B Shinn (57kg) T: J J Size	4	4.4	4.6	4.6	4.35
3. Lucky Express (2) J: K Teetan (57kg) T: J J Size	6	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.3
4. Tourbillon Diamond (3) J: C Ho (57kg) T: C S Shum	3.8	3.8	3.9	3.9	3.75
5. Lucky Patch (7) J: M Poon (57kg) T: K W Lui	11	12	12	12	11.6
6. Healthy Happy (8) J: A Badel (57kg) T: F C Lor	21	21	18	19	21
7. Shadow Hero (9) J: Z Purton (57kg) T: D A Hayes	8	8	7	7.5	8
8. Delightful Laos (10) J: K Leung (57kg) T: A S Cruz	26	26	20	26	26
9. Conqueror (1) J: T Piccone (57kg) T: D A Hayes	35	34	34	34	33
10. Russian Emperor (11) J: M Yeung (57kg) T: D Whyte	101	101	91	91	97
11. Arthur's Kingdom (12) J: V Borges (57kg) T: Y S Tsui	67	61	51	51	57
12. Packing Waltham (6) J: M Chadwick (57kg) T: A S Cruz	26	26	26	26	24.5
13. Smiling Time (13) J: C Schofield (57kg) T: K H Ting	151	126	101	101	121
14. Sea Of Life (14) J: A Hamelin (57kg) T: K W Lui	151	126	101	101	121

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

The second leg of the 4YO Classic Series is the Hong Kong Classic Cup over 1800m. I think the two horses to fight out the finish are (2) Excellent Proposal and (4) Tourbillon Diamond.

Excellent Proposal won the Classic Mile at big odds, atoning for his poor showing first up. He now has seven wins from 10 starts and there’s no reason why he can’t win again today. He draws well in barrier 5 and that could see him sit a touch closer in the run.

The unlucky runner in the Classic Mile was Tourbillon Diamond, who was badly held up for a run between the 400m and 200m mark. He got clear late and worked home strongly to run 3rd. He’s been very good since arriving in Hong Kong and with even luck, he can turn the tables on Excellent Proposal. Alexis Badel is replaced by Karis Teetan.

Backing both.

Tip: (4) Tourbillon Diamond $3.50 Bet365

Also Backing: (2) Excellent Proposal $4.40 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 2 units WIN Tourbillon Diamond, 1.5 units WIN Excellent Proposal

Race 10

Werther Hcp (C3) (1400m)
8:50pm (AEDT)

Race 10 Werther Hcp (C3) (1400m) 8:50pm (AEDT)
1. Winning For All (1) J: C Ho (60.5kg) T: K W Lui	15	12	10	10	11.8
2. Lewis (7) J: C Chau (59.5kg) T: D Whyte	16	14	14	14	13.6
3. Star Of Yuen Long (4) J: N Callan (58kg) T: K L Man	12	11	11	11	11
4. Flagship Glory (9) J: J Moreira (57.5kg) T: F C Lor	3.7	3.7	3.7	3.7	3.65
5. Tempest Express (11) J: A Hamelin (56.5kg) T: J J Size	8	8	8	8	7.9
6. Meridian Genius (6) J: C Schofield (56kg) T: A T Millard	34	31	31	31	31
7. Prime Minister (3) J: K Leung (56kg) T: P Yiu	7	7	6.5	7	6.7
8. Ka Ying Excellent (14) J: M Chadwick (56kg) T: A S Cruz	21	20	19	20	19.6
9. Stoicism (8) J: B Shinn (56kg) T: D Ferraris	201	151	151	151	151
10. Beluga (13) J: Z Purton (54.5kg) T: D J Hall	5.5	6	6	6	5.8
11. Telecom Fighters (10) J: K Teetan (52.5kg) T: Y S Tsui	7	7.5	6	7	7.1
12. Diamond Brilliant (2) J: V Borges (52kg) T: T P Yung	35	34	34	34	33
13. Perfect Pair (12) J: A Badel (52kg) T: K H Ting	46	41	31	34	41
14. Seven Heavens (5) J: M Yeung (51.5kg) T: C Fownes	67	61	51	51	55

Odds Last Updated: February 22, 2021, 2:23am (AEDT)

Tim Geers

A trip to Hong Kong quickly had Tim hooked to the racing caper, maintaining the best place anywhere in the world on a Wednesday night is Happy Valley. He holds a strong interest in the Hong Kong form, along with the metropolitan racing in Sydney and Melbourne. He’s a fan of dry tracks, Zac Purton and takes particular interest in identifying patterns in the form. Tim wears many hats, juggling the roles of form analyst, jockey manager and racehorse owner.