Sha Tin punters poised to be Exultant on star-studded card

Exultant
5.40 Sha Tin
2pts win

Danon Smash
6.20 Sha Tin
2pts win

More Than This
9.20 Sha Tin
2pts win

It’s the biggest day of the season in Hong Kong and punters can get ready to shout home a local winner.

But rather than Beauty Generation, who most would have been tipping at the start of the season, it's more likely to be Exultant (5.40) in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase, over 1m4f.

Local legend Tony Cruz has made no secret of his belief that Exultant is the best middle-distance horse he has trained, and if the Teofilo gelding continues in his current form, he may well be challenging champion sprinter Silent Witness for overall honours in the trainer’s estimation.

Despite being a little underdone on his last start, Exultant was a convincing winner, setting him up perfectly for this meeting with Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck and talented Japanese filly Deirdre.

This Hong Kong International Races card is a cracker, and with 20 overseas visitors joining a strong local contingent in chasing £9m in prize-money, it will almost certainly prove the highlight of the season.

The full ten-race Sha Tin card

Champion Zac Purton has declared he is going all-out to create history by winning all four Group 1 races, but even though he partners crack youngster Aethero in the 6f Group 1 Sprint, as well as Exultant, he has plenty to fear in Danon Smash (6.20), the mount of Frankie Dettori.

The Japanese raider, a son of former champion Lord Kanaloa, has taken on a different guise since being restricted to sprinting, and he looked very strong when he galloped on the grass at Sha Tin this week. Beat The Clock, the mount of Joao Moreira, is a big danger.

It will be a long day, but save a little for More Than This (9.20) in the finale, a Class Two handicap over 1m. He was unbeaten in three starts for Richard Fahey before being bought for Hong Kong, where he has now acclimatised for local trainer Francis K W Luí.

Lui thinks the gelding will measure up as a Derby type and this is seen as the launching pad to get him on the Classic trail. Karis Teetan, riding in great form, will take the ride.

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