Hong Kong Preview May 7 – Sunday Best Bets & Tips

Hong Kong Tips 07/05/2023

Our form expert provides Hong Kong tips for today’s horse racing at Sha Tin Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 9:  No.8  STRAIGHT ARRON  ($2.80 with Palmerbet)

Caspar Fownes saddles-up STRAIGHT ARRON here who has found his mojo of late and looks poised to rack up his third win in four starts today. Last start, the Fastnet Rock gelding had Vince Ho in the saddle for the first time and they hit it off well as the galloper belted his rivals in a Class 2 Hcp, here over 1800m. Ridden a treat by Ho, he came wide on the turn, ranged alongside the leader (Sword Point), then left him behind as he went on to win by more than three lengths, eased over the final 50m. That was his second win in his past three starts (all at the Sha Tin track) and today he draws even better in gate two and maps to be near mid-field with cover on settling. With another perfect ride here, he should prove hard to hold out again.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 4:  No.7  NICHOLSON RETURNS  ($3.90 with Unibet)

The David Hall-trained NICHOLSON RETURNS is at the top of his game at the moment and looks the one to beat here. Last start, the Iffraaj gelding brought up his fourth podium finish in five starts when he finished third in a Class 3 Hcp, here over 1800m. He has come back a different horse this preparation with top-four placings in his past five starts at the Sha Tin track. Today, Zac Purton becomes the fourth jockey in four starts to hold the reins and well drawn here in gate six, he maps to settle mid-field with cover. He has the runs on board to suggest he will be a force in the outcome of this contest.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 8:  No.4  GOLDEN BULL  ($3.10 with Palmerbet)

The Danny Shum-trained GOLDEN BULL is still a maiden after seven starts but with six minor placings to his name, he is long overdue for a win and looks well placed here to finally break through today. Last start, the Tivaci gelding continued to frustrate his connections when he took home third prize in a Class 4 Hcp, here over 1400m with Zac Purton in the saddle. In a big field of 15 runners, Purton had him box-seating on settling and in the run home, took the lead (briefly) but was out-gunned by a couple of late finishers and had to settle for the bronze medal. He draws better in gate four today and maps to be box-seating again. Purton sticks with him for this assignment and with a trouble-free run here, maybe today can be his day.