Hong Kong Preview & Best Bets – 24/03/2024

Hong Kong Tips for Sunday, March 24

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.8  PATCH OF THETA  

Another from the Francis Lui stable is PATCH OF THETA who has hit the ground running with five-straight podium finishes to start his career and although up in grade today, he has the runs on the board to suggest he is a major player in this contest. Last start, the well-bred Zoustar gelding rang-up his fist win when he put away a Class 4 Hcp, here over 1400m. In what can only be described as the ‘perfect’ ride, Hugh Bowman had him settled three pairs back and on straightening, pulled him wide and gobbled them up to score by 1.5 lengths, hands & heels. Bowman commits to Amazing Victory here which sees Karis Teetan in the saddle for the first time today. He looks ideally drawn in gate three and maps to settle in a similar position. Up in grade today but down in weight, he is a track and distance winner now and is capable of testing this field.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 2:  No.2  SECOND TO NONE 

The Francis Lui-trained SECOND TO NONE hasn’t missed a top-four finish in four career starts to date and looks well placed here for another possible victory today. Last start, the Astern gelding was up against it from the outset and did well to finish fourth in the Class 4 event, here over 1400m. Carrying 61kgs, he jumped from the carpark in gate 11 (of 14) and was driven forward by Lyle Hewitson who settled him in the box seat. Using up the early fuel took its toll however, but he did well to box-on for that fourth prize in the end. We could see a different outcome today as the four-year-old gets the gun-run from gate one today and at his peak for this, he should take beating in this contest.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 8:  No.8  INVINCIBLE SAGE 

The ever-consistent INVINCIBLE SAGE steps out for start number ten on the Sha Tin track today and in career-best form this time in, he looks a super chance for victory today at great each-way odds. Last start, the Thronum gelding was having his second run off a five-week freshen-up when he beat all but one home in a Class 2 Hcp over 1000m on this track. Down the straight course, Hugh Bowman had him nicely placed, two pairs back, but it turned out to be a nightmare for him as he couldn’t get a clear run until it was too late, but finished well to secure the runner-up’s cheque. The step up to the 1200m here puts a turn into the race and from gate four today, he maps to settle in the first half dozen, one off the fence this time. Boman is booked to ride the topweight (Courier Wonder) here, which sees Blake Shin in saddle today, fresh off his big Golden Slipper success yesterday at Rosehill. Provided he is over his jetlag, we could see this fellow in thick of things when it counts most.