2010 Hong Kong Sprint Kicks Off at Sha Tin on Sunday

This grassy 6f contest boasts some very hot talent but it appears as though punters are ready to line up outside bets on a number of the lower-profile contenders, understandable as this race has proven to be a wildcard in the past. 

Last year's winner Sacred Kingdom (Encosta De Lago) comes back to defend his title and the seven year-old bay has topped the antepost market since its inception. The betting public will find him trading around 9/4 with most major bookmakers and there is a distinct chance that we'll see a sharp price drop shortly before the off. 

Sacred Kingdom will be well-backed for the three-peat (he won the race in 2007 as well) and the Ricky Yiu-trained gelding got on quite a roll after conquering the Sprint last year. Winning four group races on the bounce, three of which being group 1's, Sacred Kingdom was ultimately found out in the Cathay Pacific Jockey Club Sprint over course and distance. It was a real flashy finish with just a length and a bit separating the top six. Sacred Kingdom was ultimately placed fifth. 
 

The winner that day, Rocket Man (Viscount), is a classy Australian-bred five year-old raced almost entirely at Kranji- never finishing outside the top two in his entire thirteen race career. The only real blemish on there is a loss to Kinsale King (Yankee Victor) in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, but one could blame traffic trouble for the second place finish. You'll find Rocket Man trading around 7/2 across the board and he's a solid bet for the win here, having scored on his first spin around the Sha Tin surface.