Hong Kong Preview & Best Bets – 23/12/2023

Hong Kong Tips for Saturday, December 23

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 10:  No.5  PINS PRINCE  ($5 with Neds)

The John Size-trained PINS PRINCE has found the podium in five of his past six starts and he looks all over this contest today. Last start, the Pins gelding brought up his second win in three starts when he proved too good for them in a Class 3 Hcp, here over the 1400m trip. That was his second win here over the distance as he crossed the line a length clear in the end. Zac Purton was aboard that day and sticks with him for this assignment. He gets the gun-run form gate one today and looks a solid chance at back-to-back victories.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 9:  No.4  YELLOWFIN  ($2.80 with bet365)

Francis Lui saddles-up YELLOWFIN here who is high-flying with two wins from his three starts this time in and he looks every chance of going back-to-back today. Last start, the Territories gelding was third-up when he destroyed his rivals in a Class 3 Hcp, here over the mile. Dictating the speed from the outset, he led from barrier to box and eased near the line, he still put more than three lengths on them over the line. Vince Ho returns for this assignment and should adopt similar tactics today which will see him lead on settling and again control the speed. At his peak after three runs back, the track specialist looks the one to beat again.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 7:  No.2  FIVE G PATCH  ($6 with Picklebet)

The Tony Cruz-trained FIVE G PATCH is three starts into this campaign and dropping sharply in grade here, looks primed to return to the winner’s circle today. Last start, the English-bred gelding couldn’t match it with the big guns in the Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m), finishing unplaced in the event. Today, he returns to a more suitable agenda in Class 2 company with Zac Purton on board for the first time. The 2000m will also suit better where he is already a three-time winner over the trip. At his peak today and a two-time winner here over the trip, he looks much better placed and should take beating.