Go for Glory on final day
Punters looking for a final-day payout may have to wait until the eighth event for one of the better chances on the Sha Tin 10-race card - Francis Lui Kin-wai's Ever Glory, who should prove hard to beat in the Wong Cup.
The son of Rudimentary is already a winner over the Sha Tin mile when he led from barrier to post back in March. While there is no question that win was predominantly tempo-related, there is a strong possibility of a similar scenario unfolding today as there does not appear to be much pace involved in this event, with only Bon La Vie likely to pressure Ever Glory in the lead.
It is clear Ever Glory has an impressive turn of foot if given an easy time, as he showed in that previous win when he clocked 22.4 seconds for the final quarter after the pedestrian early tempo. He stuck on gamely last time over 1,800 metres, but the move back to a mile will suit him and he appears a solid each-way bet with John Egan on board.
The main quinella should be taken with Lucky Stallion. The son of Selkirk has impressed on his only two outings this season, and with a better draw in either event probably would have won. Unfortunately, he has drawn awkwardly again, but if Singaporean rider Jumaat Saimee rides him prominently then he should be right in the finish. There is no question that the move up to a mile is exactly what he is looking for, as he was sticking to his guns all the way to the line last time over 1,400 metres. He is the main danger to Ever Glory.
After that pair the competition falls away, but Never Say Never is at least showing improvement, having caught the eye last time with a fast-finishing fourth to Flamenco Star over 1,400 metres. His effort was creditable given that the slow early sectionals suited those nearer the lead, and with a little more luck in running he would have gone close to winning.
Equikit is the only other runner who makes any appeal, but he is likely to be a backmarker in a slowly run race. It took him all of 1,800 metres to wind up when he narrowly failed to catch Danefactor three starts ago and the move back to a mile is not in his favour. He is also likely to start under the odds with Robbie Fradd on board.
The seventh event on the programme could develop into a battle between two griffins, Wylie Wong Wai-lit's Run And Win and Lucky Lad from John Moore's stable. Neither has had the luck of the draw and both will probably face a tough run through the race, but they appear to have above-average ability and it would be no surprise to see them fighting out the finish. Slight preference is for Lucky Lad, who has already run well in open company and has been more reliable than Run And Win when pressured.
Eric Legrix, who is finishing off the season in fine style, has three solid chances on his opening three rides of the day. Lucky Meanings has struck a weak race in the opener, while Convergence and Cullinan have solid form and get their chances to win in races four and five respectively.
