Draw can make the difference as Cruz looks to beat rising star at Sha Tin

Master Eight
7.00 Sha Tin
2pts win

Run Run Cool
9.05 Sha Tin
2pts win

Beauty Smile
10.45 Sha Tin
2pts win

Tony Cruz has the chance to halt the progress of an unbeaten rising star when he saddles Beauty Smile in the Class 2 7f handicap (10.45), which brings down the curtain on Sunday’s ten-race card at Sha Tin.

Rival trainer David Hayes has earmarked Fantastic Treasure as his leading contender for next season’s four-year-old Classic Mile, and with the gelding already four from four, it is easy to understand that assessment.

His potential is obvious, with a rapid climb through the ranks marked by a rating increase of 35lb, which has seen him move up two grades. But this is his biggest test against one of the strongest Class 2 fields seen for some time.

Chad Schofield, who has been aboard him every start, is saddled with the additional task of getting across from an awkward draw (gate ten), while Zac Purton should have an easier time of it on Beauty Smile from three. Being inside gives him an advantage.

Cruz, a Hong Kong legend, is sixth in the trainers’ championship with 42 wins, trailing John Size and Caspar Fownes (both on 59) by more than he would like at this stage of the season, but still with some nice horses to run.

Beauty Smile, by Free Eagle out of a half-sister to Kew Gardens, is one of them and he could feasibly notch his third win of the season here. Roman Turbo is his danger, in a race that offers punters plenty of value.

Winning on debut in Hong Kong is difficult, but there is a strong possibility trainer Frankie Lor could pull it off twice in the space of two hours with two very different types.

The first of them, unraced Master Eight, has impressed Joao Moreira enough in recent barrier trials for the ‘Magic Man’ to stick with him in the Class 4 6f handicap (7.00) despite other options, which included likely danger Fire Ball.

Lor’s other first-up prospect is Run Run Cool, twice a winner for the Snowdens in Sydney before export, and following impressive trials is the one to beat in the Class Three 6f handicap (9.05).

Bets can be placed into HK pools with the Tote, Coral and Ladbrokes, first race at Sha Tin is off at 6.00.

Sha Tin card

Bet through the tote

Tote Placepot Races

Race 5 (1st leg, 8.00): 3 Super Mission, 13 Galaxy Emperor
Race 6 (2nd leg, 8.35): 9 Good Buddy, 10 Off The Reel
Race 7 (3rd leg, 9.05): 2 All In Mind, 5 Run Run Cool
Race 8 (4th leg, 9.35): 10 Multimillion, 11 Valiant Dream
Race 9 (5th leg, 10.10): 7 Beauty Fit, 13 Turquoise Alpha
Race 10 (6th leg, 10.45): 2 Beauty Smile, 5 Roman Turbo

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