Hong Kong Preview & Best Bets – 28/04/2024

Hong Kong Tips for Sunday, April 28

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

BEST BET 🏆

Race 8:  No.1  ROMANTIC WARRIOR

Danny Shum’s Cox Plate winning champ, ROMANTIC WARRIOR resumes today and ticking every box known to mankind, looks set for his seventh Group 1 glory today. Last start, the Acclamation gelding had a ‘hit ‘n’ miss’ mission when he returned from an 11-week spell for just one race, namely the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), which he duly won with James McDonald in the saddle. He has since won a 1600m trial on this track, in preparation for this assignment. McDonald remains aboard after riding the six-year-old to victory six times from seven previous rides. The ‘Warrior’ has seven wins and a close-up second from eight starts at the track and distance and has often won from wide draws so gate 10 today shouldn’t be an issue. Its hard to see him being troubled here and that makes him our best of the day.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 2:  No.7  VOYAGE SAMURAI 

Frankie Lor saddles-up two runners here with VOYAGE SAMURAI looking the best chance of claiming victory today. Last start, the four-year-old had his third race start and made light work of it, leading all the way in a Class 4 Hcp, here over 1400m. Derek Leung has been in saddle for all three starts to date and remains in charge for this assignment. He steps-up in grade today but draws well in gate five and maps to lead them again. Down 6kgs for the event, the step up to the 1600m looks ideal for him now and with just 55kgs to carry, he can get the job done today.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 1:  No.6  REACH GOAL

The Jamie Richards-trained REACH GOAL is three starts into this preparation and coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes, looks ready to go one better today. Last start, the Myboycharlie gelding finished bridesmaid for the second time this campaign when he beat all but one home in a Class 4 Hcp over 2200m at Happy Valey. He settled last of the 12 runners with Harry Bentley aboard who made a mid-race move and joined the leaders at the 600m mark where he showed plenty of fight to hang on for that silver medal, nabbed by a swooper near the line. He is yet to win at Sha Tin but is in the right form now and from gate two, will do no early work. Zac Purton in the fourth rider to steer the ship in as many starts and with a trouble-free run today, he should be at his peak and ready to strike.