Sha Tin races preview & best bets | Sunday, February 19
| What | Sha Tin Races |
| Where | Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong |
| When | Sunday, February 19, 2023 |
| First Race | 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT) |
We’re back to Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon for a tricky 10-race program to dissect for punters. All races are on the turf course this weekend with the rail sitting in the A position the entire circuit. This should mean we’ll be racing on a fair track with every horse getting their chance, with tempo allowing some backmarkers to come into play. As always, it should be perfect racing conditions, with no rain expected to hit Hong Kong over the weekend. The first race is set to get underway at 1pm HKT (4pm AEDT).
Best Bet: Innoconstruction
It’s taken two pretty special efforts to keep Innoconstruction out of the winner’s enclosure this preparation, but we think it’s time he got his first career win on the board. It’s his third time down the Sha Tin 1000m straight and his two seconds have been very unlucky. His first career start he got swamped by Chilli Baba to be beaten a nose and then missed the start going down to Juneau Flash on January 29 by a half-length on the winning post. The ride from Ryan Moore on the winner was extraordinary and we just got beaten by a quality effort. This time from barrier seven Zac Purton should be finding a mid-field sit and maps to get in behind the other likely market elect, Flying High, giving us a lovely cart into the race. This son of Headwater deserves a win on his consistency so far and we think this sets up perfectly for Innoconstruction on Sunday afternoon.
Best Bet
Race 4 – 
#3 Innoconstruction (7)
3yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Zac Purton (59.5kg)
Next Best: Ching
We can’t see any reason why Ching can’t replicate his last start winning performance at Sha Tin on January 21 and we’re happy to have him on top here. His win was breathtaking when sitting wide throughout the 1600m contest before bounding clear of his rivals to score by 1.5 lengths on the line. He only gets a 2kg penalty for the win and stays in Class 4 for his trouble and looks very well placed by trainer Michael Chang to continue on his winning ways. He ran into Tamra Blitz two back and four horses have won since that effort, including Ching himself, so the form just continues to be rating highly. He draws better this time after his win, drawing barrier six on Sunday and in-form jockey Lyle Hewitson will look to do what he did last time, just keeping this four-year-old out of trouble turning for home. He looks better than Class 4 company at his best and if he can win on Sunday, he’ll be competitive in Class 3 moving forward.
Next Best
Race 5 – 
#1 Ching (6)
4yo Gelding | T: Michael Chang | J: Lyle Hewitson (61kg)
Next Best Again: Prince Of Porty
Prince Of Porty debuted an impressive winner on January 21 and we’re happy to stick with this son of Wandjina as he steps up to the 1200m on Sunday afternoon. He looked gone when Flying High and Cheval Valiant scooted clear over the 1000m and left Prince Of Porty chasing a long way out. Our guy showed plenty of guts to dig in and power over the top late however, as Prince Of Porty just continued to battle away. He should only improve stepping up in trip on his breeding and with a perfect draw and Zac Purton electing to stick, he looks the one to beat. Although, this first start called Green N White has caught our eye as well at the barrier trials and could be the main danger. We’ll lean the way of Prince Of Porty though as the race experience should do him a world of good.
Next Best Again
Race 6 – 
#3 Prince Of Porty (2)
4yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Zac Purton (61kg)
Next Best Again: Butterfield
The old boy Butterfield should be a good price with online bookmakers when markets open and we’re willing to take a risk on the old battler. He comes back to his favoured Sha Tin circuit after running boldly in Group 3 level at Happy Valley in the January Cup behind Money Catcher. He didn’t seem to handle the turn at all on that occasion but his last 100m was very encouraging. He’s had a tick-over trial between runs and now sees the booking of Zac Purton for this Class 2 over the 2000m, which should suit this old staying type perfectly. He gets the soft gate as well from barrier two and should see Purton bidding his time on the inside behind the leaders, before peeling off their back to get every possible chance. It could be past him, but with Five G Patch drawn his outside this will be the testing material.
Next Best Again
Race 8 – 
#2 Butterfield (2)
8yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Zac Purton (61kg)
Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin races
Sha Tin quadrella selections
Sunday, February 19, 2023
- 2-4-5-7
- 1-2-3-6
- 2-6-8-10
- 1-2-6-8
Investment: $256 for 100%