Beauty and Competition Collide at Sha Tin
This Sunday, the world of top-tier horse racing descends upon Hong Kong's Sha Tin racecourse for a thrilling 10-race programme. The undeniable highlight is the Group Three Sa Sa Ladies' Purse, a handicap event scheduled for 8.05am over a demanding nine-furlong distance.
Top Contenders for the Main Event
The prestigious race, backed by the Kwok family's beauty brand Sa Sa, features a fiercely competitive field. The family's own representative is the venerable Beauty Joy, a nine-year-old carrying top weight. A winner of seven races, including the Group Three Premier Plate over this very course and distance in June, he cannot be discounted despite his age. His encouraging seasonal return over a mile suggests he is perfectly prepared for this challenge.
All eyes, however, will be on last season's Hong Kong Derby winner, Cap Ferrat. The five-year-old, trained by Francis Lui, is expected to be heavily supported after an unlucky eighth-place finish last month where he was left with nowhere to run. The champion jockey Zac Purton is anticipated to take the ride. Crucially, Cap Ferrat is now five pounds better off compared to his narrow defeat by Beauty Joy at the end of last season, putting him in a prime position to exact revenge.
An Under-the-Radar Threat
While proven performers like Massive Sovereign, Bundle Award, the in-form Californiatotality, and last year's winner Ensued all command respect, one galloper presents exceptional value. The David Hayes-trained Rubylot, a five-year-old with six career wins, has consistently promised more than his record shows and has never looked outclassed in Group One company.
His recent performances may have been hampered by a lack of early pace, but Sunday's race dynamics play to his strengths. The presence of strong pacesetter Pray For Mir should ensure a genuine speed test, which will help negate Rubylot's tricky outside draw. With the expert Hugh Bowman in the saddle, blinkers applied for the first time, and a perfect one-from-one record over the course and distance, Rubylot stands out as a compelling each-way proposition at attractive odds.
Pointers:
- Cap Ferrat – 8.05am – Sha Tin
- Rubylot e/w – 8.05am – Sha Tin
