Fifty Fifty and Nothingilikemore Could take Advantage of Low Weights
9.10 Sha Tin: The Premier Bowl
Ivictory emerged as the new kid on the block in the Hong Kong sprinting division at the end of last year. He ran with credit first time out this year under top-weight to be beaten by under a length by Hot King Prawn who re-opposes today. While Ivictory does look the horse to beat, he has a lot of weight to concede and has been given a wider post post than ideal in stall 8.
Mr Stunning has finished first or second in his last 6 runs and until Ivictory arrived on the scene he was the top-dog sprinter in Hong Kong. He will shoulder top-weight with Ivictory, but as he was beaten by that foe last time out fairly comfortably and this will be his first start of the season I’ll pass him over today. The horse that appeals at a big price is Fifty Fifty, who drops back to 6 furlongs having raced over 7 and 8 furlongs to great effect. He was beaten a head by Ivictory last year over 6 furlongs, trying to concede 2lb, but today will receive 5 pound from that rival and has drawn stall 1 today. At 20/1 he’s worth chancing to show he retains enough speed to live with these sprinters.
Recommended bet
Fifty Fifty, 20/1 each-way
9.40 Sha Tin: The Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy
Beauty Generation turned in a huge performance to win the Celebration Cup Handicap first time out under top-weight. He has earned himself even more weight for this event for which he is a strong favourite. Pakistan Star get 5lb from the favourite but as he's making his first start of the season i'm not keen on a short price as talented as he is. There are horses further down the weights that appeal at big prices.
Nothilikemore at 18/1 and Seasons Bloom at 33/1 are both group one winners and look well treated if they can rediscover their best form. Nothingilikemore was an easy winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile last year at 3/5 and gets in here with just 8-1. Singapore Sling finished second in that race off level weights but has to concede 4lb today and yet is also only 10/1 in the betting compared to the 18/1 available for Nothingilikemore.
Seasons Bloom was the winner of the group one Stewards Cup earlier this year where he beat many of today’s rivals; if he can overcome his poor draw he could surprise at long odds. Being drawn in stall 9 of 14 isn’t ideal, but as he is usually held up he will be able to drop in behind and hopefully find a path through when it matters.
Recommended bet
Nothilikemore, 18/1 each-way
Seasons Bloom, 33/1 each-way
