| What | Sha Tin Races |
| Where | Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong |
| When | Sunday, May 7, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:30pm HKT (2:30pm AEST) |
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Visit Ladbrokes |
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Hong Kong racing brings us a massive 11-race program from Sha Tin with the Group 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) the feature event. The rail moves to the B position for the entire circuit, and although the weather forecast leading in looks pristine, Sunday suggests a strong chance of rain in the afternoon. The first race is set to get underway at 12:30pm HKT (2:30pm AEST).
Queen Mother Memorial Cup: Russian Emperor
It’s a terrific edition of the Queen Mother Memorial Cup, but we’ve found the top weight very hard to beat. Russian Emperor will have to lug the 61kg to victory on Sunday afternoon; however, we think it’s a task he can manage with the class form on his side. He’s the only multiple Group 1 winner in this race and made his name heard around the world after winning the Group 1 Amir Trophy in Doha, before making his way to Meydan for the Dubai World Cup meeting. He ran into an equine superstar by the name of Equinox on March 25 in the Dubai Sheema Classic and has since returned to Hong Kong, now resuming after a six-week let up. He’s a Group 1 winner at this course over the 2400m and his barrier trial heading into Sunday suggests he’s still maintaining his form despite the trip abroad. Hugh Bowman takes the reins and from barrier one should find himself in a perfect striking position turning for home. It’s a race with some stayers on the rise, but if Russian Emperor produces his best, he must be considered the one to beat.
Best Bet
Race 9 – 
#1 Russian Emperor (1)
6yo Gelding | T: Douglas Whyte | J: Hugh Bowman (61kg)
Bet with Bet365
Best Bet: Golden Express
It’s hard to go past Golden Express as the best bet on Sunday afternoon as he makes his first attempt in Class 2 company. He’s chalked up back-to-back wins in Class 3 smashing the clock and putting big margins on his opposition in the process. He always possessed this ability; however, as he now starts to put it all together, this son of Not A Single Doubt looks poised to claim another win for the John Size yard. Barrier eight of ten does pose an awkward threat for leading hoop Zac Purton, but we’ll leave it in his more than capable hands to find some cover mid-race before producing Golden Express’ scintillating turn-of-foot late. He’s a Group quality horse In waiting and you’d imagine will need to be winning a race like this if he’s going to look at tougher targets in the future.
Best Bet
Race 7 – 
#7 Golden Express (8)
4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (56kg)
Bet with Palmerbet
Next Best: Mighty Stride
We’ve got the last race on the program labelled as a battle of two gallopers with Mighty Stride and Hyper Dragon Ball set to go head-to-head. We’ve landed with the former who got the better of his rival on March 19, going on to score an impressive 1.3-length victory. It was a win that suggested there was still plenty of improvement in this son of Rich Enuff, and although he gains a 2.5kg weight penalty for the win, so does Hyper Dragon Ball as he produced a subsequent win on April 15. They meet on the same weight scale from March 19, and we think it’s hard to see Hyper Dragon Ball turning the tables on Might Stride come Sunday afternoon. Hugh Bowman should find the ideal stalking position from barrier one and only needs to get off the rail late in the piece to be replicating his win, making it back-to-back for this Ricky Yiu-trained gelding.
Next Best
Race 11 – 
#4 Mighty Stride (1)
4yo Gelding | T: Ricky Yiu | J: Hugh Bowman (60.5kg)
Bet with Neds
Next Best Again: Baby Crystal
Baby Crystal is set to return after a 14-week spell and will be looking to recapture his winning form when sent to the paddock. He got his maiden victory on January 24 and toughed out a win after sitting outside the leader throughout the 1200m journey with multiple subsequent winners chasing him home. The likes of Snowalot and Call Me Dandy finished in behind this son of Per Incanto, giving the form some substance throughout the summer months. He returns on three barrier trials to get some fitness in his legs before amping things up on Sunday afternoon. He looks like the natural leader on paper, so we expect Zac Purton to ping the lids from barrier three and play a game of ‘catch me if you can’. He is first-up so if there’s any concern, it has to be a lack of racing in his legs, but we think his class will offset that, and Baby Crystal can chalk up his second career win.
Next Best Again
Race 6 – 
#1 Baby Crystal (3)
4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (61kg)
Bet with Betfair
Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin races
Hong Kong quadrella selections
Sunday, May 7, 2023
- 1-2-3-4-12
- 1-2-7-8
- 2-5-12-13-14
- 4-8
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