Yesterday’s Review
0.5pt e/way Catherine Chroi (94) – The ground was described as Soft at Navan yesterday following 16mm of rain since declarations, however the winning times on the straight track were nowhere near Soft. The winning time for the first race, won by Beano Power (104), of 1.02.03 was very close to standard time, and at best was a Good To Soft time. Unfortunately, this didn’t suit the selection who would have been much more suited to a softer surface.
0.5pt e/way Green Valentine (91) – A similar scenario to the one above, but even so this was a long way from any of her decent efforts from last season.
1pt e/way Dandy Dinmont (-) – The selection never travelled like a winner and found very little when asked for more at the business end of the race keeping on at the one pace into fifth. It was reported that he bled from the nose, and he certainly didn’t run to his recent form.
Today’s Advice
MR BRIGHTSIDE (8f Gp1) – FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin sees a cracking card on offer with worldwide superstar Ka Ying Rising looking to go twelve from his last twelve in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize at (7.50), and there are some very interesting contestants from the best racing nations in the world taking each other on later on. Short priced favourite for the (9.00) Sha Tin, Voyage Bubble, looks the best of the local talent having won his last three races at Group 1 level. I am happy to let him win at the prices on offer, and he might find things more difficult today from his tricky draw in stall ten following a sixty three day break. The selection has won nine Group 1 races in Australia, and has landed a very kind draw in stall two. Regular pilot Craig Williams knows him very well, and he looks to hold the strongest form on offer having just failed by a nose to reel in Tom Kitten in the Group 1 All-Star Mile at Flemington recently when wearing a first-time visor (which connections have gone with again). He raced prominently that day, and should be able to take advantage of his kind draw this morning.
EL VENCEDOR (10f Gp 1) – The (9.40) Sha Tin QEII Cup looks another excellent contest with the return of the ultra-impressive 2024 King George winner Goliath. Francois Graffard’s likeable five-year-old looks to get his season underway dropping back to the shorter distance, but I would prefer to see him over the twelve furlongs, and on much softer ground. He may well simply outclass today’s rivals, but I will happily let him go unbacked under today’s conditions. The selection has won his last three races at Group 1 level in New Zealand, with two over today’s distance, and like Mr Brightside can race prominently. The Magic Man, Zac Purton, takes the ride, and with very little pace on offer I can see Hong Kong’s Champion jockey dictating this race at a pace that suits him. While it may be that Group 1 form in New Zealand might not be as strong as it’s neighbour’s in Australia, it may well be unwise to disregard this six-year-old’s chances with plenty in his favour from stall one for this morning’s contest. He looks a bit of value at the prices on offer to cause a bit of a surprise.
Favourite Liberty Island has drawn stall eleven, and her supporters will be hoping that she can go one place better than her second place finish in the Hong Kong Cup last December, when beaten a length and a half behind Romantic Warrior. Yuga Kawada’s mount is one that I haven’t taken a shine to much recently, and always find her to be finishing too late at the business end of races. She does also have a second place finish behind Equinox in the 2023 Japan Cup on her CV, and this may represent a more winnable opportunity for her, but at the prices I just prefer the New Zealand champion.
1pt e/way Mr Brightside (11/2 General) 9.00 Sha Tin
0.75pt e/way El Vencedor (10/1 William Hill, 9/1 General) 9.40 Sha Tin
(Those who can avail of the extra place at other firms should do so)