Yesterday’s Review
0.75pt e/way Wilde And Dandy (105) – A return to seven furlongs saw the selection improve on the clock from the previous day. A slower start than usual probably cost him his chance of victory, just going down by a length to the all the way winner Fools Rush In (106). This was the fastest performance on the card by the winner, making all from a wide draw in stall twelve. Rated in the 90’s a couple of years ago by the handicapper, trainer Ruth Carr has managed to get him back in the winner’s enclosure twice now since September. It will be interesting to see if he can remain consistent going forward. Result 2nd 5/1, 9/2 adv…9/4F SP.
0.5pt e/way Tasever (86) – A slowly run race as expected, and the selection almost stole it from the front. Seven pound claiming apprentice Ryan Kavanagh has built up a nice partnership with the selection this winter, and despite being headed in the final furlong kept him up to his work to finish in third place securing the each way payout. Trainer Patrick Morris has also done a fine job with the horse this winter on the all-weather with two wins and two places from seven races. Result 3rd 25/1, 22/1 adv…9/1 SP.
Today’s Advice
Self Improvement (6f Hcap) – Trainer Manfred Man has improved this five-year-old by eighteen pounds since May of this year according to the handicapper, and the son of Deep Field has shown a real liking for today’s course and distance. His second place finish to Packing Bole last time out looks a strong Class 3 piece of form, and he renews rivalry with the winner of that race in this morning’s (9.10) Sha Tin. On that occasion the winner built up a healthy advantage of over four lengths on the selection, and managed to hang on by a half length to the fast finishing selection at the finish. The winner was drawn on the inside in stall one while our selection had a wider draw in stall seven that day. Today the draw looks to be kinder to Self Improvement in stall five, with Packing Bole out wider in stall eight. Connections of the winner have tried to offset the five pound turnaround in the official weights by booking ten pound apprentice Britney Wong. While Britney has ridden 50 winners in Australia since beginning riding in 2022, and has four winners from seventy four rides this year, the better draw and more professional rider in Karis Teetan makes me want to be with Self Improvement today. Short price favourite Full Credit has been well found by the market having recorded a (109) speed figure over course and distance last time out in a Class 2 race, and carries 19lbs more in this lower grade contest. At the prices I am happy to take a chance on Karis Teetan’s mount today. Hopefully, he can race closer to the front runner in the early stages of the race, and if the eleven day turnaround isn’t a burden should go close to reversing the form.
Amaysmont (6f Hcap) – Trainer Kevin Frost has coaxed this seven-year-old backed to form this winter season with four wins from his last eight races on the all-weather. His most recent fifth place behind Ormolulu over course and distance in an amateur jockey’s race looks a decent piece of form, and with the winner finishing unplaced yesterday over seven furlongs at this venue, this might be an opportunity for him to reverse that form. He could still be well treated from today’s handicap mark bearing in mind that he was racing from marks in the mid 80’s a couple of years ago. As with most sprints today’s (11.05) Southwell looks quite competitive and dangers include recent winner Rebel Empire who is back out ten days after winning nicely following a 168 day break over course and distance, Gaiety Musical who races on the Tapeta for the first time, and course specialist Toptime. With Jack Mitchell on board this morning I will be having a sporting interest in the son of Mayson.
0.75pt e/way Self Improvement (11/2 General) 9.10 Sha Tin
0.5pt e/way Amaysmont (8/1 William Hill, 7/1 General) 11.05 Southwell