Sha Tin races preview & betting tips | Sunday, January 21

[Wandering Eyes]

What	Sha Tin Races
Where	Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong
When	Sunday, January 21, 2024
First Race	1pm HKT (4pm AEDT)
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The Group 1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) is the feature event on Sunday afternoon, as Sha Tin gets set to host a bumper 10-race program. A quality field of eight runners has accepted for the race, which has been made more intriguing after Golden Sixty withdrew pre-nominations, suffering a setback after securing victory in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile.

The rail is in the A position for the meeting, and with no signs of rain on the radar, we should be racing on a fair Good 4 surface. The opening race is scheduled to get underway at 1pm local time.

Steward’s Cup Tip: Straight Arron

Straight Arron was impressive in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) on December 10 and was only defeated by less than a length by Romantic Warrior. The son of Fastnet Rock is the only galloper engaged from that form-line dropping back in trip to the 1600m, which would normally be a concerning setup, however, with the speed influence in this race, we’re willing to take the risk over an unsuitable trip. The five-year-old should get a soft run just in behind the speed, and with Vincent Ho making some bold comments after his luckless run last start, the implication seems to be that Straight Arron is a Hong Kong Group 1 winner in waiting.

Steward’s Cup

Race 7 – #3 Straight Arron (1)

5yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Vincent Ho (57kg)

Bet with Bet365

Best Bet at Sha Tin: Ka Ying Rising

Ka Ying Rising was denied back-to-back wins courtesy of James McDonald and Wunderbar on New Year’s Day. It was an outstanding match-race as the pair cleared out on their rivals, with Wunderbar escaping with a nose margin success. We’re taking Ka Ying Rising to turn the tables on Sunday. With a minor swing in the weights and a lack of tempo engaged compared to last start, we think Zac Purton will adopt tactics to lead from barrier 10. If he can ping the lids and cross to the rail ahead of his key rival, we believe Ka Ying Rising can hold off Wunderbar in what’s sure to be another ding-dong battle down the straight.

Best Bet

Race 3 – #4 Ka Ying Rising (10)

3yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (55.5kg)

Bet with Neds

Next Best at Sha Tin: Storm Rider

It was hard not to be impressed with Storm Rider’s last start, as the son of Dracarys proved far too strong for Class 4 company. This three-year-old gelding got a perfect steer from Zac Purton on that occasion, settling in the one-one position throughout running before bolting clear of his rivals over 1200m. He only drops 3.5kg while heading to the 1400m for the first time, and if he can replicate a similar effort to last time out, Storm Rider will take a power of beating in the Sha Tin finale.

Next Best

Race 10 – #13 Storm Rider (11)

3yo Gelding | T: David Hayes | J: Zac Purton (55.5kg)

Bet with PlayUp

Best Value at Sha Tin: The Best Peach

The Best Peach continues his trend of having no luck from the barrier draw, copping gate 13 on Sunday afternoon. It’s less than ideal; however, we’re quietly confident the five-year-old can overcome the tricky scenario. He’s been crying out for a staying trip, with the gelding by Twilight Son unable to reel in his opposition over the shorter trip, getting too far out of his ground against some classy types. Hugh Bowman likely has no choice but to drag him back towards the rear of the field again, but if he can put in the big strides over the journey, watch for The Best Peach to be making strong inroads down the centre of the course.

Best Value

Race 8 – #2 The Best Peach (13)

5yo Gelding | T: Tony Cruz | J: Hugh Bowman (61kg)

Bet with Picklebet

Hong Kong Sunday quaddie tips – 21/1/2024

Sha Tin quadrella selections

Sunday, January 21, 2024

1. 2-3-5-6
2. 2-4-5-11-13
3. 2-6-7-10-12
4. 1-2-13

More horse racing tips

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