RACEDAY FOCUS: what to watch for at Sha Tin on Saturday

Jack Dawling takes a look at Saturday's meeting at Sha Tin. 

Horse to watch 

Beauty Bolt Zac Purton/Tony Cruz No 5, Race 10, Class 3, 1,600m

He may have failed to justify favoritism on his first two starts this term, but the lightly-raced Beauty Bolt is shaping like a promising type for Tony Cruz.

After he finished second on debut last term, the Irish-bred gelding got off the mark at the second time of asking under Zac Purton on the final meeting at Sha Tin last season.

He jumped as the 2.8 favorite on seasonal reappearance and ran on reasonably well into third, before surging from the rear of the field for fourth last time out.

Beauty Bolt has been in the frame on all four starts and he may be able to take another step forward in the final race of the day tomorrow over a mile. The son of Night Of Thunder jumps from barrier five under Purton once again.

Jockey to watch 

Karis Teetan

Karis Teetan will be hoping to earn a spot in December’s International Jockeys’ Championship and to do so, he’ll be targeting a big day at Sha Tin tomorrow.

A spot in the IJC is given to the rider who sits in second place in the jockeys’ championship after the Happy Valley meeting on November 26.

With the Mauritian rider currently three wins behind Luke Ferraris, who sits in second, Teetan will be looking to make a big push on the 10-race card.

Teetan may have the battalion capable of delivering a big day, with seven rides and two last-start winners.

Fortune Boy powered home from the rear of the field over 1,600 meters last time out and he will be looking to replicate that in the finale under Teetan, while Storm Rider returns to Sha Tin after an impressive win at Happy Valley last time out.

Trainer to watch 

Manfred Man 

Manfred Man Ka-leung has had a successful start to the season and he looks well placed to taste more success tomorrow.

The trainer has 11 wins to his name from only 99 runners so far this term and he sends a strong team of eight to Sha Tin’s 10-race card.

Man’s squad is headlined by Patch Of Stars, who handled a step back to 1,200 meters last time out when he made amends for his first-up defeat at Sha Tin. Zac Purton sticks with Patch Of Stars as the four-year-old steps up to Class 2 level for the first time.

Man also saddles an intriguing debutant in the form of Ruby Thrive in the first race of the day. The three-year-old has shown glimpses of promise in his two trials.