Roman Turbo could have pace edge in Sha Tin Class 2 feature

There are several Happy Valley specialists atop the ratings for the featured 10th race Saturday in Hong Kong, the problem for them being that this card is being held at Sha Tin.

Hong Kong Win, Massive Pocket, and Shining Ace are the top-rated horses in this Class 2 turf handicap over 1,200 meters, and all have done their best work at Hong Kong’s city track, Happy Valley, rather than at the more spacious and traditionally shaped Sha Tin oval.

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This is not the case, though, with Roman Turbo, rated 87 and carrying a manageable 124 pounds in the Saturday feature. Roman Turbo, just a 4-year-old and a horse with some upside, also cuts back to 1,200 meters from 1,400, which seems like a positive move, and he brings at least a small measure of positional pace to a race seemingly lacking true front-runners.

There is one confirmed speed horse, Highly Proactive, who floundered on dirt in his most recent start and could shake free on a clear lead.

First post for this program is 10 p.m. Pacific on Friday night. You can catch all the action at DRFBets.com.

Exultant retired

Exultant, who was Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year in 2020, was officially retired from racing on June 11, and the Hong Kong Jockey Club will send the gelding into retirement with a public ceremony during the June 26 program.

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Irish-bred Exultant, trained by Tony Cruz, was the top horse in Hong Kong over 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 miles for a couple seasons and still raced effectively this year despite having lost a couple steps.

The full brothers Time Warp and Glorious Forever, the former especially effective as a front-running distance horse a few seasons ago, also have been retired.