Mark Newnham is optimistic that Bravehearts will capitalize on favorable handicap conditions to clinch a win in the HK$3.12 million (about US$401,229) Class 2 Long Ke Handicap (2000m) at Sha Tin on Saturday, December 27. The Argentine import, a Group 1 winner, has previous success at this track and distance but has not won in 11 races since taking this event last year. Newnham believes the horse’s reduced weight of 115 pounds this weekend will help him regain winning form.
Newnham noted, “Bravehearts won this race last year and dropping weight will benefit him. He needs a strong race, but his style naturally brings him back. His recent performances have been solid, and this weight drop suits his comeback.” He also mentioned that Bravehearts ran well two starts ago but lost pace slightly in his last race, although the tight field this weekend should reduce fast breakouts.
Bravehearts previously won the Class 2 Buffalo Bill Handicap (2000 meters) on December 29, 2024, carrying 118 pounds. The competitors this Saturday include Sword Point, Lowrider, Cain Generation, Awesome Fluke, Numbers, Winning Wing, Noisy Boy, and Gentlemen Legacy.
Jockey Frankie Law, with 499 wins as a trainer in Hong Kong, will ride the four-year-old Numbers, aiming for the Classic Series. Numbers showed promise with a third-place dead heat on his Hong Kong debut and previously finished second in the Grade 1 Queensland Derby under trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
This weekend, Numbers, a Tivasi gelding, will be ridden by Derek Leung from barrier four, while Car In Generation, who placed third in the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby, will race under Luke Ferrari from gate three. Trainer Pierre Ng is optimistic that Car In Generation, having matured, will perform well despite carrying 122 pounds, especially in the small field.
David Hall is hopeful that Magnifique, a talented four-year-old Charm Spirit gelding, can return to top form with jockey James Orman in the Class 3 Sham Chun Handicap. Magnifique won three of his first four races but was sidelined due to bleeding after a July 5 win at Sha Tin. Since then, he has shown promise, winning a recent 1000m turf barrier trial.
Hall shared, “It took a long time to heal the bleeding, but the main challenge is how he handles racing pressure. His trials have been strong, so now it’s about seeing how he performs in a race again.”
The Sha Tin meeting on Saturday starts with the Class 4 (Restricted) Huangchuwan Handicap at 1 pm.
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Fan Take: This update is exciting for horse racing enthusiasts because it highlights horses with strong past performances seeking comebacks, adding anticipation to the competitive Sha Tin meet. The strategic weight advantages and promising jockey partnerships could significantly shake up the standings and bring thrilling races to fans.
