Sha Tin Sunday Preview

The first race of the day sees a five furlong sprint contest and Douglas Whyte trained Smiling Face looks the pick of the bunch.

The gelding has only had one start to date and it came over course and distance last month where he was a bold second, taking to racing instantly.

In that event he saw three of his rivals on Sunday behind him and it looks as though he will only improve for that run and won't be far away again from getting off the mark.

Next up is another sprint contest but this time over slightly further and Demons Rock looks an interesting runner especially with Zac Purton on board.

Although his record does not speak volumes with no wins in 24 runs, he has been knocking on the door of late with two bold seconds.

His latest second was his most impressive when having trouble trying to get a clear run but still managing to stay on well and if getting a clear passage will be in the mix.

The first Graded event of the afternoon sees the Queen Mother Memorial Cup over a mile and a half and Helene Leadingstar looks tough to beat.

The owners have two in the contest and this gelding looks the strongest of them having won both of his last two contests and going in search of a hat-trick.

His two wins have come in handicap company at Sha Tin and having looked like a step up in trip would suit, he gets that today.

Another top weighted selection takes our fancy in this five furlong event and the six year old Split Of A Second does not lack speed.

The gelding finished a decent second at Happy Valley back in December over slightly further and now dropping in trip and coming into this contest off the back of a break, he should go well.

He has gone up one pound from that race but he gets five pounds taken off by his jockey C Victor Wong which could make all the difference.

The six furlong Brandy Snap Class 3 Handicap sees some ex Irish and British runners take to the Sha Tin stage with their new yards and the one that takes the eye is Lumen Baba.

Formerly named Pablo Diablo when racing in Ireland for Ger Lyons, he has now been acquired by trainer Douglas Whyte and makes debut in this contest.

The three year old gelding has only raced during his career and got off to the best start possible when landing a 19 runner maiden at the Curragh.

He went on to beat the Aidan O'Brien trained Louisiana, who went on to frank that form when winning next time out at Thurles impressively.

Lumen Baba could turn out to be anything in Hong Kong.

The Manicou Handicap looks a hot affair and we are going with Excel Delight who is set to be ridden by leading rider Joao Moreira, which is a big bonus.

The four year old is a course and distance specialist having run his last five races at the track with three places and a win in February.

He landed two seconds last month at Sha Tin and only going up three pounds in this sphere gives him a huge chance once again.

The Norman Conqueror Handicap over a mile sees 14 runners go to post and Galactic for the Douglas Whyte and Joao Moreira team looks very unexposed.

The three year old has only raced twice in his career, finishing a decent fifth on debut and then last time out over 7f at Sha Tin narrowly being beat into third.

If he can take another step forward in this field he is on the shortlist and with not many miles on the clock he has an advantage.

Another one of selections on the card is an ex British runner again with trainer Douglas Whyte and Enzemble looks the one to beat.

The five year old used to be with James Fanshawe before being moved back in October and he has been frequently raced in Hong Kong ever since.

He has been hit and miss with his form with some nice place finishes but last time out he got off the mark in good style at Sha Tin over course and distance and if handling the extra weight will be in the mix again.

We fancy Douglas Whyte to have a stand out day across the card at Sha Tin on Sunday and in this Handicap we like the look of another of his runners.

Party Genius is joined by the smart Zac Purton and the three year old has been knocking on the door of late making it a matter of when not if he will get off the mark.

He has raced three times in his career and last time out his second over course and distance took the eye and he has to be respected back over this trip.

The penultimate selection from us is Explosive Witness and this unexposed five year old could be a very exciting runner in this event.

The gelding has hit the frame on half of his six runs in Hong Kong and if taking to the dirt on his first start on the surface he could be the one to beat.

The final race of the afternoon in Hong Kong is the Inch Arran Handicap over seven furlongs and again we like a top weighted runner.

Racing Fighter looks a five year old gelding that is on the up, especially with the booking of Zac Purton for this event.

Although he has been going through a tough patch with his performances, in this sphere he has to be respected, dropping in class and reapplying the blinkers.