Sweet In Defeat
Sha Tin (M29) – Sunday, 16 December 2018
By Hutchi
27/12/2018
Sha Tin had a track presented in GOOD condition with the running rail at the outermost “C+3” position.
RACE 1: C5 - 2200m
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
A small field contested this and it was a dominant win to Clement Legend who is clearly a reformed galloper. In his current form, based on this effort he can be competitive up in grade but there’s not much else to take from the event.
RACE 2: C4 - 1200m
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
They ran quite a quick middle sectional in this event, so Tom’s Dragon was reasonably good in defeat in a race that rated a touch below par for the grade. Given the slow first sectional, it was clearly better to be closer to the speed and given the overall rating I am not sure this race can be relied too heavily upon.
RACE 3: C4 - 1000M
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
The first half of this race was run at a solid tempo and there were a couple of good runs in defeat by horses that might be worth following. Fabulous Eight sustained a very good final-400m (22.19) and given it was his debut, he does look as though he can break through in the near future. Yichun Blitz (SID) came in for market support and probably found the 1,000m a touch sharp. He sustained a very good final-600m (33.33) and was closest at the finish.
RACE 4: C4 - 1600M
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
A good even tempo throughout and Po Ching Treasure proved too strong. Smiling Pride raced in patches and looked as though he could do with a pair of blinkers and/or a step up in trip. He closed with a race-best final-200m (11.72) and might be one to keep following.
RACE 5: C5 - 1400M
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
The first 600m was run quite quickly, ultimately paving the way for something midfield or beyond to win. That being said, it was a nice ride and a soft win to Hurricane Hunter who was only having start number two for Dennis Yip. This race rated well enough for Hurricane Hunter to be winning a Class 4. Given the quick early sectionals, Scarborough Fair was sound in defeat as well.
RACE 6: C4 - 1600M
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
A quick first sectional and then slow mid-sectionals were the order of operations here. It was a good win by Ever Laugh considering he was keen early, but he stayed on strongly. Romantic Chef returned with ‘substantial blood in the trachea’ so he too was sound. However, overall, the race did not rate as anything special.
RACE 7: C4 - 1400M
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
The worst race of the day due to the pedestrian tempo and it was literally a sprint home. C P Power (SID) was awkwardly placed at the tail of the field and really not suited by the race-shape. Although the race rated poorly, his effort was very good and he can make the SID file. Touch Of Luck should be picking up a race soon.
RACE 8: C3 - 1200M
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
This race rated well for this grade and should be one to trust going forward. Music Addition (three-wide no cover) was ‘a forgive’. Young Legend was held-up but kept on well, along with Honest Way and Key Witness. Young Legend (SID) is the one I want to stick with the next time he competes.
RACE 9: C2 - 1400M
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
This was by far and away the best race of the day and it was close to being a Group class peformance by Conte. The tempo was very, very slick but this showed Conte will be up to Group company later in his career when his rating is enhanced. World Record, off a solid tempo closed with a final-400m 22.73, also showing his class. However, it is all about Conte and I have this peformance within three lengths of the HKIR win of Beauty Generation.
RACE 10: C3 - 1600M
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
This was another very good rating race and the pace was genuine throughout. Pakistan Friend was issued a 7-point penalty for the win and that is lenient to me. He was strong through the line and should be hard to beat again. I don’t think he beat a great deal here however, with the exception of Green Luck.
RACE 11: C3 - 1400M
Course: TURF "C+3" Going: GOOD
A very slow tempo was set for this grade and the race developed in to a sprint home. The way this race was run was in contrast to Follow Me‘s previous win. He was very good here given the way how things panned out. He still closed with the best last 400m & 200m sectionals but the soft part of the race gave Taking Aim the advanatge under a great ride. Follow Me is the one to stick with.
Sweet In Defeat "Black Bookers"
-
Sichuan Blitz
-
C P Power
-
Young Legend