The Group 1 Standard Chartered Chater Cup is the feature race at Sha Tin on Sunday with a small field of stayers looking to grab a share in the HKD $10 million prize-purse.
Zac Purton is out for his fifth Group 1 aboard Exultant and the pair look extremely tough to beat following a first-up win in the QEII Cup last month.
We’ve also previewed all other 10 races on the card and offered our best bets below!
Smiling Face was the beaten favourite last start finishing half a length second behind Like That.
The pair will meet again on Sunday, but I think the three-year-old is worth a second-chance here dropping 1.5kg with Joao Moreira retaining the ride.
The British import was under hard riding coming down the straight last time out and just got a little wayward in search of his maiden.
I expect Moreira to sit off the speed this time from a wider draw, so look for him late.
This is another tricky field with a few horses on debut, so I’m happy to (excuse the pun) take a Leap of Faith.
The Sebring gelding is resuming on Sunday still in search of his maiden win.
The John Size-trained three-year-old raced well without winning in his first campaign finding the placings twice in four starts, where he also happened to finish second over the course and distance back in December.
The booking of Joao Moreira signals intent from the stable, so happy to take him each-way or straight-up depending on the price.
Sunny Power has returned some good efforts recently including a win four starts back over the 1650m at Happy Valley, so I think he looks well-placed here to find the winner’s stall again.
Chad Schofield jumps on the Tavistock gelding for the first time looking to make good use of the gate.
The New Zealander has struggled at the barriers in his last two runs, a pair of wins over the distance and a 32-day break in between runs is a big tick.
Fellow Kiwi Enjoy Life also rates highly on Sunday where he’s looking to snap his recent streak of runner-ups.
The six-year-old gets Joao Moreira for the first time and has drawn perfectly in barrier 3.
This is an excellent edition of the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase with three-quarters of the field coming off a run in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint last month.
Thanks Forever narrowly grabbed third in the Chairman’s behind the fast-finishing Mr Stunning for his second Group 1 placing of the season.
The son of Duporth has been frustrating at times for punters, but I’m trusting Zac Purton to get the job done from the inside draw.
Hot King Prawn has been charged with the top weight but is another that should take great improvement out of his run in the Chairman’s where he was held up coming into the straight.
He’s had a faultless prep so far with a win over this distance and five minor placings, so he’s a must for exotics.
Wind N Grass made up ground from the very back of the field in his last start over the course and distance to finish a length third behind Relentless Me.
The four-year-old has mixed his form, but this looks like a race he can win if Antoine Hamelin uncovers that same turn of foot from the inside draw.
Cruising should strip fitter for his first-up assignment where he finished fifth.
He gets a 4.5kg claim with apprentice Jerry Chau on board and is a three-time winner over this distance.
Regency Poet looks to be a horse of ability and it’s only a matter of time before the four-year-old breaks through for his maiden win.
Karis Teetan retains the ride here and will need to do some work to overcome the wide gate, but I do think the pair rate as a top player coming off a 32-day letup following a last start second at Happy Valley.
Kinda Cool was also impressive on debut rattling home for second over the 1000m on May 3. He clearly wants further and it wouldn’t be surprising to watch Zac Purton go all the way.
Xponential hasn’t run a bad race over this course and distance with a win and a pair of placings to his name.
The four-year-old Australian import resumed in good order a fortnight ago finishing second behind Hinyuen Swiftness where he carried the top weight – so we know the 4.5kg claim with Jerry Chau on board won’t be a concern.
He’s drawn an identical barrier here and maps to get an ideal run settling just off the speed.
Exultant is shooting for his fifth Group 1 win on Sunday and it’s nearly impossible to argue with the form of Hong Kong’s elite stayer.
Zac Purton rode the six-year-old to a comfortable first-up win in the QEII Cup a month ago where he drew nearly a length clear.
He should take great improvement away from that run and the added distance doesn’t look a query at all.
Furore finished strongly for second in the QEII and is the rightful second-elect.
The son of Pierro has drawn a good gate and maps to get a lovely run in transit with Karis Teetan retaining the ride.
Savvy Nine is one at odds that could sneak into the finish.
The French import ran on for second last start in the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial and has placed before over this distance.
He’s run well without winning this term and should be doing his best work late with Joao Moreira back in the saddle.
I love the setup here for Charity Go as he steps back to the 1800m.
The five-year-old has shown real improvement recently finishing third over the course and distance two starts back before running on for second over the 2000m on May 3 behind Champion Supreme.
He’s rock hard fit and well overdue for another win, so if Joao Moreira can execute from the wide gate, they should be in this.
Regency Bo Bo ticks most of the boxes in this Class 3 Handicap.
The six-year-old is resuming from the paddock with two wins to his name first-up alongside five wins at Sha Tin and four over the distance.
Zac Purton knows this horse well having ridden him five times in the past for a couple of placings, while the pair also did well for seventh last time out from the wide draw.
Glorious Spectrum wound up from the back in his last over the 1200m at Sha Tin to finish second behind Computer Patch – a form line that has produced some winners in recent weeks.
The Helmet gelding should appreciate the extra distance here and a much better gate with Antoine Hamelin retaining the ride the third-up.
Will Power gets a second crack at Class 2 level following his last start third over the course and distance.
The lightly-raced four-year-old has won three of his five starts to date and looks tough to beat coming off a 35-day let-up.