Sunday's Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis

Pakistan star set to shine

Three-time winner Pakistan Star is fitter after his first-up fourth and stands out in Race 3 at Sha Tin tomorrow.
Three-time winner Pakistan Star is fitter after his first-up fourth and stands out in Race 3 at Sha Tin tomorrow. PHOTO: HKJC

RACE 1 (1,600m)

7 Red Elysees has run well in his last two starts and he looks a chance.

2 City Legend has drawn poorly at his last three starts but now gets into a good gate in 4.

1 Let Us Win's last two runs since getting into Class 4 have been good enough. He'll be around the mark.

13 Dashing Dart is capable of a good run on his current mark, particularly with an inside draw.

RACE 2 (1,400m)

9 Yee Cheong Pegasus ran well enough on debut over the straight 1,000m. The step-up to 1,200m should suit him.

4 Have Fun Together has a good draw and Brett Prebble shapes as a suitable rider for the youngster.

2 Mighty Maverick was fair at his first run in Class 4, but he's capable of improving at any time.

10 Horse Prosperous is worth including in exotics at odds.

RACE 3 (1,600m)

1 Pakistan Star ran an admirable race first-up to finish fourth behind Group 1 winners Time Warp, Werther and Seasons Bloom in the Hong Kong Gold Cup. He's fitter.

3 Western Express, the Hong Kong Mile runner-up, has trialled well and looks suited in this spot.

4 Southern Legend looks on the fringe of a big-race win and he can use this as a springboard.

6 Pingwu Spark is well-weighted and cannot be overlooked.

RACE 4 (2,000m)

9 Giant Turtle has done little wrong in recent starts and he should be right in the mix.

4 Victory Boys returns to Class 3. This grade suits him better.

7 Ensuring is more reliable on a place than win line sort of hope.

12 Bullish Glory found the line okay last start. He can fill the frame.

RACE 5 (1,200m)

1 Handsome Bo Bo is capable of winning if he can get it easy enough out in front.

7 Exhilarating Time can be around the mark with even luck.

5 Seventy Seventy looked fairly professional on debut two weeks ago and that race experience will have done him the world of good.

4 Honest Way is sure to have plenty of admirers after flying home on debut.

RACE 6 (1,400m)

6 Simply Invincible's runs over 1,400m have been good and he should get his chance in this spot.

2 Racing Supernova has got a plum draw. If he can get into a midfield position, he will be some chance.

1 New Asia Sunrise should be near the speed and he can hang around for some minor prize money.

7 What Else But You bears close watching fresh.

RACE 7 (1,200m)

13 Sam's Love returns to the Sha Tin 1,200m. Expect him to be flying home down the middle of the track.

1 Wishful Thinker is now at the top of Class 3 but he looks every bit a Class 2 horse, so a win is possible.

3 Infinity Endeavour continues to run well. He will be around again.

4 Lucky Hero can take a step forward from his Hong Kong debut and he'll be in the mix.

RACE 8 (2,000m) GROUP 1 BMW HONGKONG DERBY

3 Ping Hai Star's pedigree is laden with stamina and the 2,000m should be no problem, if he can relax. He has one of the world's finest riders, Ryan Moore, aboard, while there are few trainers on the planet - if any - better than John Size.

1 Nothingilikemore, his stablemate, still appears the class horse in this race and class goes a long way. It would be foolish to underestimate him in this spot.

2 Singapore Sling, a last-start Hong Kong Classic Cup winner owned by Singapore interests, has drawn well and is likely to jump favourite.

4 Exultant is the logical choice for fourth and normally would get that position, but in a race that doesn't look to have much speed.

RACE 9 (1,200m)

2 Shamal has trialled well. He should be able to get out in front and prove hard to beat.

8 Gunnison lost his unbeaten run when seventh in his Hong Kong debut. Although he still need time to acclimatise, he cannot be ruled out

5 Pablosky has run a number of times over this course and distance. He could get into the placings.

3 Super Fluke will be finding the line late.

RACE 10 (1,400m)

7 Super Missile is drawn to get a softer run and this race isn't particularly strong. He should win.

3 Encouraging has performed OK at his last two starts and should be around the mark.

1 Baba Mama should be in contention if the speed is not as fast as last time out.

14 Starship can run home well.

•Comments by Andrew Hawkins, courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 17, 2018, with the headline Pakistan star set to shine. Subscribe