Sha Tin Blackbookers, Sunday February 19

1st of 14 (won by 2.5L); Class 4 – 1200m – (60-40); Win Odds $3.5

Prince Of Porty took control of this 1200m race easily and was strong late to make it two wins from two starts.

The most likeable aspect of this win however was that though he was a bit green after the line, he wouldn’t quite let anything pass, suggesting he won’t have any issue stepping up to 1400m, or even a mile. David Hall’s four-year-old is an obvious pick, so he could be short next start: we can only hope he runs into a few last-start winners or something overrated. 

9th of 14 (beaten 5.75L); Class 4 – 1200m – (60-40); Win Odds $4.5

Not much went right here on debut but he did show something out wide in the straight, before his run peaked in the final 100 metres or so. Can certainly improve but seeing as Ricky Yiu’s three-year-old jumped at $4.50 we might not get the price we want next time.

1st of 13 (won by 1.5L); Class 3 – 1200m – (80-60); Win Odds $31

We had a big watch on this runner from his earlier trials, and did have him possibly pegged for a dirt race, but this was a super win on the turf. 

Huge effort! Goko Win soars late to score at 30/1 for a @HugeBowman double. ✌️ #HKracing pic.twitter.com/skMuHO1f1d

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 19, 2023

It had everything: jockey Hugh Bowman appeared to be in no rush so only really asked for an effort for 300 metres or so, but Goko Win still ran enormous splits. Visually the performance was almost as good, including after the line where there was no ‘easing’ rubbish: it was still strong, which is extremely rare after running those sectionals. 

There will obviously be no 30-1 next time but maybe the SP profile geeks will write-off the win as a bit of a fluke? We shall see.

2nd of 14 (beaten 1.25L); Class 3 – 1600m – (80-60); Win Odds $18

Held up for a run and then when wound up late to produce easily the best final 100 metres, far better than the winner Atullibigeal, who was all the talk after the race. 

Amazing Victory’s ‘past the post’ work was also impressive, before getting a bit wayward and running out towards the outside fence.

Think this one could have gone under the radar slightly given he’s very much an exposed horse with 15 starts in Hong Kong, and the ‘lemmings’ won’t latch onto him as much as they do the lightly-raced types. As per usual with these more tried types you can only take the run at face value but if he repeats this effort he will be very hard to beat next time, and likely at odds.

Asian Racing Review: overseas glory for Hong Kong