Sha Tin black bookers: three horses poised to Rise sooner rather than later

By
Luke Middlebrook
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Blue Marlin just needs a gate to bounce back.
Blue Marlin just needs a gate to bounce back.

Sha Tin – Monday, January 1, 2024

Race 5 – Class 4 – 1400m

Golden Rise – 3rd – 0.75L

Watch the replay here!

This four-year-old was the beaten favourite on Monday, yet he lost no admirers. In a game of inches, he arguably lost the race approaching the 900m mark when he began to lose ground on the lead speed, as before, he and the eventual winner, Dream Pursuer, shared a similar run in transit.

As the race progressed and Dream Pursuer made a seamless move up the rails with a world-perfect run, Golden Rise conceded ground. At the 450m mark he was awkwardly placed close to the heels of another runner, too.

While Dream Pursuer was just two lengths off the lead speed at the 400m mark, GOLDEN RISE trailed by 3.75 lengths. However, in the end, he was only beaten by 0.75 lengths.

Race 10 – Class 3 – 1400m

Blue Marlin – 5th – 2.25L

Watch the replay here!

After winning two on the trot from inside draws earlier this season, this five-year-old has been dealt wide barriers in three subsequent runs. On Monday, he was ridden for luck from barrier 14, and didn’t stand much of a chance.

From the stewards’ report:

  • Jockey Karis Teetan rode BLUE MARLIN and was instructed to aim for a midfield position with cover from the outside barrier.
  • Teetan attempted to obtain cover behind FASHION LEGEND but had difficulty due to the sedate pace set in the middle stages of the race.
  • It wasn’t until near the 650m that BLUE MARLIN managed to secure cover behind FASHION LEGEND due to CALIFORNIA VOCE maintaining its position on the inside.
  • In the Home Straight, BLUE MARLIN finished reasonably well.
  • Teetan acknowledged the chance to take a more forward position but believed it would contradict his given instructions.
  • Trainer Dougals Whyte confirmed the instructions given to Teetan for the race.

Blue Marlin was one of the better runs against the race shape, and as soon as he draws an lower barrier, expect to him map much handier and not ridden for luck.

From the same race, AMAZING VICTORY looks a winner in waiting. The former Peter Ho-trained galloper is now with Chris So and racing well. Monday was his fouth run for So, and it was littered with excuses.

From the stewards’ report:

  • Raced keenly due to a slow pace from the 900m onward and was steadied for some distance away from SWEET BRIAR.
  • In the Home Straight, jockey Derek Leung attempted to find clear running. He initially moved to the outside of SWEET BRIAR around the 400m but couldn’t secure a run between SOLID IMPACT and FASHION LEGEND.
  • Leung remained held up behind SOLID IMPACT until near the 250m when he tried to find space inside SOLID IMPACT. However, the opportunity wasn’t available due to AMAZING VICTORY not accelerating between SOLID IMPACT and SWEET BRIAR.
  • Continuing to seek space for clear running, particularly as SWEET BRIAR shifted outward, Leung maneuvered his horse to the inside of SWEET BRIAR and BEAUTY FIT near the 150 Metres.
  • Finally, Leung found clear running approaching the 100m, and AMAZING VICTORY finished strongly. The Stewards determined that Leung’s tactics were reasonable given the circumstances.

Luke Middlebrook
Author: Luke Middlebrook

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