A superb day's racing is on offer at Sha Tin today, with a number of highly competitive events on the 10-race National Day card. But it may pay to stick with Wong Tang-ping's Splendid Patrol in the fourth event when looking for the best bet of the day.
The consistent son of Desert Style should appreciate the drop in class today, when he will meet far easier opposition than last time over his pet course and distance. The robust gelding has made the frame in four of his seven attempts over 1,400 metres, including one victory.
Splendid Patrol's effort on his seasonal reappearance was highly respectable when one considers that he set some rather quick early sectionals in an event that was over-burdened with front-runners. On top of that, he was clearly racing on the worst part of the track (the inside) and, considering he was defeated only two and a half lengths by the promising Always Win, it was a creditable effort.
He will strip fitter for that outing and, as he is unlikely to receive too much pressure in the lead today, he will prove that much harder to run down. Apprentice Way Leung has been booked by Ping, who clearly wishes to take advantage of the seven-pound claim. Splendid Patrol is the perfect ride for an apprentice and, providing the young lad can rate his mount well in front, he should take all the beating.
One of the main dangers has to be last-start winner King Confident from the Tony Millard yard. He blazed clear of his rivals to win going away on his first outing for Millard and, considering he came from near last on the home turn and the final quarter was clocked in 23.0 seconds, it was a terrific effort.
Double Martini is another major threat as he will relish the move back to Sha Tin, where the long straight will give him time to gather in the leaders. The well-bred son of Canny Lad has been looking for this sort of trip, as he has just found the minimum distance a shade too sharp for him on his last two outings. He has suffered from problems in the past, but John Moore appears to have him back to something like his best and from barrier one Irishman John Egan should get the run of the race.