Hong Kong: Master Eight brings perfect record into Bauhinia Sprint Trophy

The Hong Kong sprint division has been void of stars for a surprisingly long time, but maybe Master Eight can step into the breach.

Four-year-old Master Eight debuted last season in Hong Kong and won twice. Off between June and October, he returned to action this fall and has won two more races, and so Master Eight brings a perfect 4-for-4 record to his toughest test yet, the Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap on Saturday at Sha Tin.

Master Eight is one of eight entered in the Bauhinia Sprint, contested over a straight 1,000 meters, and even though his most recent win earned him a 10-point rating rise, Master Eight, rated 95, carries just 118 pounds Saturday. That puts Master Eight nearer the bottom of the weights than the top Saturday and he gets between four and 15 pounds from the four horses entering with higher ratings.

Master Eight, Joao Moreira riding for trainer Frankie Lor, led nearly every step of his first three starts, all contested around a Sha Tin bend at 1,200 meters. Lor, perhaps with this start in mind, cut Master Eight back to 1,000 meters on Nov. 21 and Master Eight easily took the measure of highly regarded Nervous Witness, who was favored. Master Eight sat comfortably just off the lead in that start and his tactical versatility and manageable impost ought to make him formidable in the Bauhinia Sprint, though the flawless record, a burgeoning reputation, and the presence of the leading jockey figure to make Master Eight an underlay.

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Top-rated Computer Patch exits a fading sixth-place finish in the ill-fated Hong Kong Sprint, which had a four-horse accident near the top of the homestretch, likely earning Computer Patch a higher placing than he otherwise would have achieved. Computer Patch has proven effective in Sha Tin straight-course sprints, but even with a return to his better form his 133-pound burden could drag him back to the rest of the field.

Sight Success won his only Hong Kong 1,000-meter race, albeit at Happy Valley, and his last-start Class 2 handicap romp came over Sha Tin’s dirt track.

If there are future (or current) stars in the card’s other Group 3, the Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap over 1,400 meters, it’s definitely not evident in their recent form. None of the seven entrants finished better than fourth in their most recent race and several have been struggling during this Hong Kong racing season. Excellent Proposal rated among the better 4-year-olds of the 2020-21 season but generally has disappointed in three races this term, though he did manage a distant second in Class 1 handicap competition Nov. 28.

First post for this 11-race New Year’s Day card is 11:30 p.m. Eastern on Friday night. You can wager and watch at DRFBets.com.