Sunshine Coast Preview & Best Bets - Sunday October 16
Hong Kong Preview & Best Bets – Sunday October 16
Hong Kong Tips (Sha Tin) 16/10/2022
Our form expert provides Hong Kong tips for today’s horse racing at Sha Tin Racecourse and gives his best bets.
ANCHOR BET ⚓
Race 8: No.3 CALIFORNIA SPANGLE ($1.50 with bet365)
To the feature race of the day and there are some classy gallopers engaged here with the Tony Cruz-trained CALIFORNIA SPANGLE shaping up as the one to beat again. Last start, the Starspangledbanner gelding was fresh off a six-month break when he lined-up in the Group 3 Celebration Cup (1400m) and gave his rivals a galloping lesson, crossing the line two lengths clear in the end. He ran that out, 11 lengths quicker than benchmark, and although that was just the third best effort here behind Russian Emperor and Senor Toba, both gallopers are resuming here today and may need the run. Regular rider, Zac Purton, is in pride of place here and in top form, currently leading the jockey’s premiership by 13 winners. From the wide draw, Purton is expected to push forward today and settle in the first half dozen. Unbeaten in two previous second-up runs, the four-year-old can also boast of racing here 11 times for seven wins and four runner-up finishes and surely just bad luck will spoil that record today. He is short with the books so using him as an ’anchor’ for your multi’s is the best way to go.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 3: No.3 FANTASTIC WAY ($2.60 with bet365)
Second-up today, the John Size-trained FANTASTIC WAY ticks all the big boxes here to suggest he-s the one to beat in this contest. Last start, the Swiss Ace gelding resumed from a lengthy seven-month absence when he finished a close-up third in a Class 2 Hcp, here over 1200m. He ran well that day and on fresh legs, covered the last 600m, 7 lengths quicker than benchmark, the best last-start effort here. Unbeaten second-up, the five-year-old also boasts a strong track record, with his 10 starts here resulting in four wins and three other podium finishes. The experienced Alex Badel has the reins today and drawn the fence, he does no early work but will be into it in the run home. He looks very hard to hold out here.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 7: No.2 UNIVERSAL HORIZON ($5 with bet365)
Francis Lui saddles-up UNIVERSAL HORIZON here and second-up today looks a genuine contender for the major prize. Last start, the four-year-old gelding resumed from the season break where he put in a solid performance to take home third prize in a Class 4 Hcp over 1400m with Vince Ho in the saddle. He ran the trip out, 2.3 lengths quicker than benchmark, the best in this field. Sitting behind the leading pair, he chased them all the home and was doing his best work over the final 100m. Fitter for that run, the step up to 1400m today looks ideal as Vince Ho sticks with him for the run. He maps to settle in the first half dozen today and given clean air on the turn, he should be storming home at the finish.
