2020 Lai King Handicap - Sha Tin Free Picks

Horse Betting Online

HKJC Press Release - DECLAN SCHUSTER | OTB Writer
Updated: February 28, 2020

SHA TIN FREE PICKS - February 29, 2020

Race 1: #6 Fighter Boy, #3 Trust Me, #2 Zero Hedge, #7 M M Johnny

Race 2: #13 Money Marshal, #9 Regency Gem, #5 Amazing Agility, #2 Bring It On

Race 3: #1 Perfect Pair, #6 Winston's Lad, #12 Super Winner, #11 Bright Kid

Race 4: #3 Beluga, #9 Cool Ace, #5 Eternal Harvest, #1 Xponential

Race 5: #9 Menaggio, #2 Ever Laugh, #6 Happy Ichiban, #1 Sonic Fighter

Race 6: #6 Chikorita, #3 Special Stars, #12 Goko, #8 Allied Agility

Race 7: #2 Circuit Three, #1 Snap Fit, #10 Gift Of Lifeline, #4 Guy Dragon

Race 8: #2 Inner Flame, #11 Happy Alumni, #4 Fearless Fire, #10 Goodluck Goodluck

Race 9: #1 Farhh Above, #9 Picken, #6 Ultimate Glory, #13 Good For You

Race 10: #7 Super Wealthy, #13 Lobo's Legend, #8 Super Star, #2 Glorious Spectrum

Race 1: Lei Muk Shue Handicap

#6 Fighter Boy flashed home on debut to grab fifth over this course and distance. He's open to further improvement off that performance and with even luck in the run he can figure.

#3 Trust Me got off the mark two starts ago. Still, he's racing well at present and with Zac Purton retaining the ride he remains a leading chance.

#2 Zero Hedge is consistent have finished runner-up in four outings from eight attempts this season. Alfred Chan takes seven pounds off his back which helps and his class will take him a long way against this bunch.

#7 M M Johnny wasn't too far away on debut. He gets the blinkers here to sharpen him up and an improved performance is expected.

Race 2: TaiWo Hau Handicap

#13 Money Marshal mixes his form and although he's winless, he has still shown glimpses of ability across his career. He's down a low mark with 113 lbs on his back and if he can get the right run from the awkward gate, then he might be ready to finally piece it all together, especially on Lyle Hewiton's final day of his contract this campaign.

#9 Regency Gem is another who is winless. He has gone close on a number of occasions and is arguably unlucky not have already won yet. Regardless, he's in-form and he's signaled that it's only a matter of time before he does breakthrough.

#5 Amazing Agility is the veteran of the field with 50 starts next to his name. Karis Teetan takes over riding duties and he maps to get the run from the inside draw.

#2 Bring It On has improved back in Class 5. This isn't overly strong and in his favor is that Chad Schofield knows the horse well as a previously aboard him.

Race 3: Shek Wai Kok Handicap

#1 Perfect Pair has been racing better than his record suggests,especially in Class 3. He makes a welcome return to Class 4 racing here and his last two starts in this grade have returned wins. Zac Purton takes the reins for the first time this term and with even luck, he's going to prove hard to beat.

#6 Winston's Lad has the wide gate to contend with but his best runs this term should see him finish thereabouts. He is a five-time winner and in stronger grade so just maybe he has returned to a competitive mark as he has gotten older.

#12 Super Winner has largely struggled to capture the heights bestowed upon him following a blistering trial prior to his second-up run when 2.1 favorite. Still, on face value he's in-form and the services of Alexis Badel suggests that his window of opportunity is still open.

#11 Bright Kid has been unreliable all term but he put together a number of nice runs. He's next best.

Race 4: Shek Lei Handicap

#3 Beluga steps out on debut. He scored impressively under a strong hold in a recent Happy Valley turf trial and with Zac Purton booked for his debut he warrants respect.

#9 Cool Ace caught the eye last time out when sticking on for fourth, beaten by only two lengths. He has drawn to get the right run on the pace and with race-fitness on his side, he's a leading player.

#5 Eternal Harvest was set a task from the tail of the field but managed to rattle home for fifth as joint 5.1 third elect in the market. He'll relish the step up to 1200m and this is well within his grasp.

#1 Xponential got off the mark on debut before struggling at his most recent appearances. The blinkers have been applied to sharpen him up here and if he can recapture his debut form, he'll be in the finish.

Race 5: ShekYam Handicap

#9 Menaggio is racing well and off his latest performance a win appears to be nearing. He rattled home for third last start and gave every indication that a step up in distance would be welcomed.

#2 Ever Laugh turned his form around under Blake Shinn last start to grab second. He came from well back in the field that day and if he gets another race run to suit, he can figure.

#6 Happy Ichiban has only had two appearances but has shown steady improvement. He'll be a big price and now getting out to a mile he could represent great value.

#1 Sonic Fighter narrowly scored two starts ago for Neil Callan who retains the ride here following a last-start sixth. He remains in Class 4 and his best should see him in the thick of things.

Race 6: Kwai Fong Handicap

#6 Chikorita steps out on debut for Michael Chang. He arrives to Hong Kong off the back off two wins in Australia pre-import and his latest trial score down the straight indicated that he is forward enough to win on debut. Zac Purton hops in the plate and this looks a suitable starting point.

#3 Special Stars has mixed his form this term. He's arguably an improved horse at Happy Valley but he has never really had a chance at Sha Tin and if he was able to capture his best here, he would be more than capable of going on with it.

#12 Goko is a four-time course and distance winner. This contest looks ideal and with the lightweight, he's going to give them something to run down.

#8 Allied Agility steps out for leading trainer Ricky Yiu. He gets Alfred Chan's seven pound claim which helps and with the stand-side draw he can slot in along the rail throughout.

Race 7: Lai King Handicap (2nd Section)

#2 Circuit Three is in career-best form having won three out of his last four starts and once again he remains the hardest to beat. This appears suitable and his climb through the ratings doesn't look like slowing down.

#1 Snap Fit is a three-time winner already from just six attempts. He has held his form across his career and his Sha Tin debut last time out was encouraging as he's done his best racing at the Valley. Top-weight duties is always difficult but Victor Wong's claim takes a handy five pounds off and he should be thereabouts.

#10 Gift Of Lifeline is a course and distance winner already this season. He maps to get a soft run throughout and this race is well within his reach under the in-form Karis Teetan.

#4 Guy Dragon gets the services of Zac Purton. He's another drawn to get the right run and his 1400m record at Sha Tin warrants respect.

Race 8: Kwai Shing Handicap

#2 Inner Flame is looking for his fourth unbeaten win. He has displayed immense talent across his short three-start career and if he can overcome the wide gate here, he looks capable of taking another step up on his climb up the ratings ladder.

#11 Happy Alumni steps out for Vincent Ho and Francis Lui. These two have been on fire all season and their good fortune can continue here. This appears suitable enough for #4 Fearless Fire. Victor Wong hops up and from the good gate he warrants respect.

#10 Goodluck Goodluck returned from nearly a two-year break to grab fifth last time out. He appears to have returned from his lengthy spell in fine order and further improvement is expected here.

Race 9: LaiKing Handicap (1st Section)

#1 Farhh Above was luckless last start and had he received a clear run he arguably would have won. He can atone for that performance here and although he is likely to settle back in the field, he's clearly the best horse in the race and with an ounce of luck he is a leading chance to return to the winner's stall.

#9 Picken has mixed his form but his best is up to this. He has drawn well for Chad Schofield and with the right run he can give them something to reel in.

#6 Ultimate Glory gets the services of Zac Purton, who has won on him already this season from one ride. He warrants respect.

#13 Good For You steps into Class 3 now in search of his third consecutive win. This is suitable and with the light weight he can figure.

Race 10: Cheung Shan Handicap

#7 Super Wealthy has hit the ground running with two wins from three appearances in Hong Kong. He's a super talent on the rise for Douglas Whyte and although he faces Class 2 for the first time, he looks more than up to the task.

#13 Lobo's Legend has the wide gate to contend with but he gets a nice weight relief to offset this issue. He can figure with the right run as he's show ability pre-import in South Africa as well as in Hong Kong.

#8 Super Star is ultra-consistent having missed the top three only once from 10 attempts, including five wins. He loves this course and distance and he remains a leading player in a hot contest.

#2 Glorious Spectrum is looking to snap a two-run runner-up streak which he pieced together at the tail end of last season. He steps out for the first time this season and for new trainer Ricky Yiu after catching the eye at the trials. He's worth respecting.