Tag: HKJC

HONG KONG RACING SUNDAY 3 May 1915

SHA TIN

The Champions Mile

Yet another sensation days racing at Sha Tin with the feature race being The Champions Mile. Certainly void of runners but it has been billed as the best miller in the world at current standings in “Able Friend” who has rose to an amazing ranking this season. Should be the one to beat once again as his form over this distance and up to 2000m is outstanding. However he comes up against the very talented “Luger” who won the Hong Kong Derby in very good fashion so he does have what you would expect to be a good test on his hands today. I do expect both going on the performances today will be racing in the UK when all the Group racing begins so it really is worth getting involved here and at least watching just how this race pans out. The last three races on the card also look very solid class races and will prove to be every entertaining. Have a great day and above all enjoy the card at Sha Tin.

 

Track and Conditions: Turf A+3 course and the track will be rated as good.

Expected Weather: Sunny Intervals with a few showers and a top temperature of 30 degrees so it will be on the humid side. Wind will be from the south to southwest at around the 20Km/h mark so there will be a slight tailwind down the straight which will only slightly assist closers but it should be a fairly even playing ground just the same.

 

Best Bet: Race 10 No 11 Lucky Year

Best Value: Race 11 No 4 Dashing Fellow

Best Exotic Races: Race No’s 9-10-11

Quaddie:-

Race 7: 1-3 Race 8: 1-10-3-6 Race 9: 11-1 Race 10: 3-4-5-10

 

Race 1: — Time: 4.30am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Griffin Race

Top Pick: No 3 Highland Hammers

Value Selection: No 6 Happy Chappy

Exotic Inclusions: No 9 Super Dragon and No 2 Eastern Express

 

Race Overview

 

Highland Hammer stuck on well behind Happy Chappy last start over the 1000m.Both have trained on very well since that first start. They meet again today over the extra ground and both have widish gates but it is a small field. He should be improved by that first up run and I expect there should not be too much between the top four here. Happy Chappy recorded a very nice win first up from a draw which was wide so he appears to have a bit of talent. Goes over the extra ground today and comes up with another wide draw in gate 9 but looks to be a nice type and can go well once again in a small field.

 

Race 2: — Time: 5.00am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 5

Top Pick: No 9 Jun Hao

Value Selection: No 1 Best Jade Triumph

Exotic Inclusions: No 4 On The Way and No Fantasticlife

 

Race Overview

 

Jun Hao certainly looks close to a win going on his current performances this season. He has never been far away and ran a very nice close up 3rd last start over this distance. Always has good hoops in the saddle and today is no exception with Douglas Whyte back in the saddle. Retains the same weight as he has been carrying all season and comes up with the rails draw so he should get a nice trail in the running. Best Jade Triumph always seems to go well at this class and distance and since dropping back in class this time he has gone close on all occasions. No real difference in the weights today. Comes up with a nice draw and should be well placed in the running and he also retains the master of the weave in Brett Prebble in the saddle.

 

 

Race 3: — Time: 5.30am GMT—Distance: 1000m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 1 Spitfire

Value Selection: No 10 Never Better

Exotic Inclusions: No 12 Peace Combination and No 8 Distinct Commander

 

Race Overview

 

Spitfire has never been far away recently since dropping back to this class and has not been over this distance since class three when he found it a bit much but at his class and from a very nice draw in gate 11 with Douglas Whyte in the saddle he has to come under strong consideration here. Never Better just the two starts in Hong Kong and does appear to be improving. Drops a touch in weight and comes up with a nice draw in gate 12 which is close in over this course. Retains regular hoop and would not have to improve too much to be a bit of a hope here in a fairly open race.

 

 

Race 4: — Time: 6.00am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 2 Happy Agility

Value Selection: No 9 Thewisardofoz

Exotic Inclusions: No 8 Regency Darling and No 11 Fun Tapestry / No 13 Bernard’s Choice

 

Race Overview

 

Happy Agility just the one start in Hong Kong and won well on that occasion with a very nice on paced performance over this distance at this class an d as a result goes up in the weights but does still look ok as he carries 127Lbs first up and has to be a consideration today going on his last start. Drawn wide today but has the speed to offset that. Retains Zac Purton in the saddle and goes in as another good chance today. Thewizardofoz is currently at just on or around each way but by start time may be favourite with Joao Moreira in the saddle despite drawing gate 14. His trials have been excellent and if drawn in closer he would certainly be hard to beat on those results. However he has good natural speed and should be able to cross into a forward position just the same. On trial form he looks a very nice type.

 

Race 5: — Time: 6.30am GMT—Distance: 1600m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 5 Joyful Moments

Value Selection: No 4 Young Ranger

Exotic Inclusions: No 12 Sparkling Sword and No 2 Asia Rising

 

Race Overview

 

Open affair here if you take out Joyful Moments who does look the form way to go here. Just the three starts in Hong Kong but all have been good being placed 2nd at his last two starts and his last run was over this distance at Sha Tin from a similar draw. He gets Joao Moreira in the saddle today which will most likely keep his odds under’s so if you fancy him I would be getting in early. Young Ranger dropped back to this class recently and ran a nice race last start over the 1400m when he went to the line well in running 3rd only 1/2 of a length from the winner. Has trained on well and looks a bit of a chance with Zac Purton in the saddle. Only query is the wide gate and the slow pace but Zac will most likely look to get across early and he does look to have the pace to do just that.  Sparkling Sword has not been very far away since going up to this class recently and with what is expected to be a slow paced race should lead and may very well run a cheeky race at nice odds here.

 

Race 6: — Time: 7.00am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 10 Bear Pop

Value Selection: No 4 Winner St Paul

Exotic Inclusions: No 11 Master Viking and No 3 Jolly Spring / No 8 Unique Awesome.

 

Race Overview

 

Bear Pop was getting home well last start until being held up in the straight and gives the impression that he may be ready to put in a good race looking at that effort as he was only 1 3/4 of a length away in the wash up. Should be at nice each way odds and can run well against this field despite the wide gate. Winner St Paul just the five starts in Hong Kong and he has been consistent and continues to improve. Comes up with a nice gate today and Zac Purton jumps back on board for the first time since his first start which was a failure at Happy Valley when he ran all over the place. But has shown good form since which has all been at Sha Tin. Looks close to breaking through.

 

Race 7: — Time: 7.35am GMT—Distance: 1600m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 9 Charity Kingdom

Value Selection: No 3 Horse Of Fortune

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Red Dancer and No 7 Cheeky Too / No 1 Good Choice.

 

Race Overview

 

Charity Kingdom has been very consistent over the 1400m at his last three starts at this class and has been closing well on all those occasions. Goes up to the 1600m today and certainly looks like he will appreciate the extra ground today. Retains Zac Purton in the saddle and stays at a nice weight which will certainly help. Solid chance. Horse Of Fortune just the four starts in Hong Kong and the last two were over the Happy Valley mile where he put in decent efforts on both occasions. Comes up with a nice draw today and should once again enjoy a nice run just behind the speed near the rails. Does come across as a decent each way chance today.

 

Race 8: — Time: 8.05am GMT—Distance: 1600m—Group One

Top Pick: No 1 Able Friend

Value Selection: No 3 Luger

Exotic Inclusions: No 2 Dan Excel and No 4 Rewarding Hero

 

Race Overview

 

Only a six horse field but it is all class. Able Friend is certainly the star performer of the season in Hong Kong but I wasn’t completely taken by his last start performance even though he won well but it may have been due to the transition up and down to the 1400m then back to the mile. Did not seem to possess the same very quick turn of foot as he has shown previously but he is without doubt a class act and will be hard to keep out here. Is at the peak of his career and is without doubt a sensational race horse that deserves to have a crack at richer races in the UK. But he will not have it all his own way as Luger has gone from strength to strength since a few set backs earlier this season and has really shown his class. If all had gone well early this season I really did expect he would have gone to Dubai. He should be somewhere near the lead running into the straight and should be the one to run down however Dan Excel who has taken a bit of time to get going in his preparations looks to have been set for this as well and ran a very nice on paced 4th last start over this distance at HKG2 and may very well ensure a decent pace which will play into the hands of the other runners who like to finish hard with the exception of Secret Sham who may try to pinch the race if it is a slower pace than expected. Great race despite the small field and tactics will play a big part.

 

Race 9: — Time: 8.40pm GMT—Distance: 1000m—Class 2

Top Pick: 1 Not Listenin’ Tome

Value Selection: No 10 Dane Patrol

Exotic Inclusions: No 3 Looks Like A Cat and No 6 Jet wings

 

Race Overview

 

Good quality class two sprint here. Not Listenin’ Tome just the one start in Hong Kong and that was over this distance at HKG3 when he ran a very nice on paced race from a draw which was no help what so ever. Gomes up with a much better draw today in gate 11 which is much closer to the grandstand rail. Gets a big hit up in the weights today but he also has a senior hoop in the saddle in Douglas Whyte. Would like to see him over a bit more ground but just the same may have the class to go close here. Dane Patrol is a very under rated runner and has proven that this season with a very honest score card after winning on two occasions and placed in another two and never far away in his other starts. Has very good gate speed and will be in this for a long way.

 

Race 10: — Time: 9.15pm GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 3

Top Pick: No: 11 Lucky Year

Value Selection: No 1 Strathmore

Exotic Inclusions: No 7 Spicy Sure and No 8 Lucky Day / No 2 Righteous

 

                                                         Race Overview

                                                                       

Now this is a very solid Class Three and it is very very competitive but the way Lucky Year won at his first start in Hong Kong he certainly has to be the one to run down here. Up in class today but will trot around with just 115lbs on his back in retaining his last start hoop and a small claim. Comes up with another great draw in gate 2 and should get a very nice run in transit once again. Strathmore won well last start and going on his lead up form prior to that win he has to go in with another very good chance once again today. Certainly been hit hard with the weights but if he carries it he has to go close from a gun gate and Tommy Berry in the saddle. Weight the only issue here. Spicy Sure only the one run in Hong Kong but it was a very pleasing effort running second to Strathmore on that occasion and even though he was well beaten in the wash up there was a lot to like about that run. Comes up with another nice draw today in gate five and should be well placed in the running as a result of that. Overseas form indicates that he should go well at this class.

 

Race 11: — Time: 9.50pm GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 3

Top Pick: No: 3 Sky Hero

Value Selection: No 4 Dashing Fellow

Exotic Inclusions: No 5 Secret Command and No 10 Forever Accurate

 

                                                         Race Overview

                                                                       

Sky Hero only the four races in Hong Kong and all have been very good. Went up to this class and gave them a canning all be it with a light weight. Been hit up in the weights as a result of that run but does appear to have talent and should progress beyond this class if he continues to improve as he has been. Dashing Fellow has been on song all season as well and won well last start at this class and even though up in the weights as a result of that win he has to come under consideration on form alone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bet on Sha Tin races with Bet365!

HONG KONG RACING SATURDAY MARCH 21 

SHA TIN

Hong Kong Wrap Up

Fantastic racing last Sunday with 4 on top selections getting up and seven out of the 10 races producing exactas on the selections when boxed. Amazing win by Able Friend in the Cup race. Don’t know if he will get a chance at the world stage but if he does watch out as he is certainly something special. The owners love him heaps and it may take a bit of persuading to get him to part from Hong Kong and how can you be more impressed by the win by Luger in the Derby. He was our on top selection and left nothing else a chance over the concluding stages. More to our home stats and our best value selection of the day is running along at just over a 65% e/w strike rate and returning a profit or just over the 60% mark. Stick with them as well as the boxed exacta’s and not only will you have heaps of fun you will do extremely well over the course of the season.

 

Track and Conditions: Turf C+3 Course. All on the turf with the exception of races and 4 which will be on the All Weather Dirt Track. Track currently rated as Good on both surfaces.

 

Expected Weather: Cloudy but there will be sunny intervals. Visibility will be relatively low but should not impact on the running of the races. A top temperature of 23 degrees and wind will be from the east to northeast up to and around the 30Kh/m. 

 

Best Bet: Race 10 No 1 Packing Pins 

Best Value: Race 2 No 1 Art of Success

Best Exotic Races: Race No 7-8-9-10

Quaddie:- 

Race 7: 9-11-8-5 Race 8: 11-2-9 Race 9: 1-9-11-4-12 Race 10: 5

 

Race 1: — Time: 5.00am GMT—Distance: 1800m—Class 5

Top Pick: No 6 Bachelor Dragon

Value Selection: 8 My Cup Overflows

Exotic Inclusions: No 1 Gold Tartini and No 14 All My Benefit

 

Race Overview

Very ordinary field to kick of the card today so would not be getting too involved here however Joao has had the pick of the rides once again and when you look at the form well I suppose Dragon Bachelor after dropping back in class recently has to be a reasonable chance here. Hard to go past in this field even though he has not won this season. Does look weighted at his best but should run well just the same in this field. My Cup Overflows Should get a nice on paced run after coming up with the inside draw here. Has fairly good early gate speed which should allow him to sit in a forward position here. This may very well develop into a sit and sprint race which will certainly assist on paced runners.

 

Race 2: — Time: 5.30am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 6 E-Super

Value Selection: No 1 Art of Success

Exotic Inclusions: No 10 Gallant Rock and No 2 Sunshine Glory

 

Race Overview

E-Super has been in Hong Kong for a while now and missed a bit of track work with a leg injury but has trialled well since then. This three year old may very well have some promise going on those trials and it would not surprise to see him go very close here. Art of Success Recently dropped back to class four and went well on the first occasion but was bumped from pillar to post last start and as a result was eased out of it. Comes up with a very nice draw in gate 13 which is right on the rails down this 1000m straight today. Should jump well and with Zac Purton in the saddle is certainly expected to put in a good performance here.

 

Race 3: — Time: 6.00am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 8 Goldweaver

Value Selection: No 10 Jun Hao

Exotic Inclusions: No 5 Fantasticife and No 4 Rising Power / No 2 Optimational Star

 

Race Overview

Goldweaver is another Zac Purton mount and even though this does look like a very ordinary class five I do expect he will run well on recent form. Always seams to be in the firing line and should get a nice trail from gate 4 today. Still looks well weighted at 125Lbs and certainly has to be a bit of a chance here. Jun Hao has never been too far away in most of his runs since coming to Hong Kong and looking at his last three starts he has to be an inclusion here at each way odds. Very open here with the exotic inclusions all having a chance as well.

 

Race 4: — Time: 6.30am GMT—Distance: 1600m—Class 4

Top Pick: No 10 Modern Fortune

Value Selection: No 2 Easy Success

Exotic Inclusions: No 7 Glorious Avenue and No 3 Hurry Hurry Up / No 8 Jade Pippo.

Race Overview

Modern Fortune ran a pretty good race last start with the same weight he has today and comes up with the rails draw once again. He looks a solid chance here but he may be a bit unders with Joao Moreira in the saddle. Easy Success just gets in ok at barrier 7 and has been fairly consistent recently at this class and does look to be a nice chance once again today. Weighted at his best but he does have Brett Prebble in the saddle who is the master of the weave so he should be able to be well placed in the running. Appeals as a bit of a chance here at nice each way odds.

 

Race 5: — Time: 7.00am GMT—Distance: 1800m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 8 Ah Bo 

Value Selection: No 11 Kids and Win

Exotic Inclusions: No 3 Heroic Guru and No 13 Victoria Charter

 

Race Overview

Ah Bo has never been very far away and gets a chance to break his Hong Kong duck here. Drew a bit wide last start but still closed off well. Draws in a bit closer today and carries the same weight. Retains Joao Moreira in the saddle who has had a couple of rides on him now and been close. Should get a nice trail in the running as well. Kids and Win has been at this class previously and dropped back to class five and picked up a couple of very nice wins. Still gets into this well weighted and has to be a bit of a chance here as he will trot around with 118Lbs on his back and retains the same hoop. But it is an open class four just the same.

 

Race 6: — Time: 7.00am GMT—Distance: 1200m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 2 Country Melody

Value Selection: No 1 Dane Patrol

Exotic Inclusions: No 5 Beauty Kingdom and No 10 No Money No Talk

 

Race Overview

Just have to love these 1000m sprints at Sha Tin. Country Melody has only had the four starts in Hong Kong and won his first two. Went up in the weights as a result of that but has still been very consistent just the same and does appeal as another very good chance today. Drawn a bit better than mid field which is not too bad and of course he has Joao Moreira in the saddle. Dane Patrol is an eight year old now but is still sprinting in great fashion. Went very close last start with Jack Wong in the saddle last start and get’s another 10 Lb’s off today with Jack retaining the ride. That will certainly help as he is up in the weights after that last start performance. But when you look at his overall form this season he has been very consistent and has raced very well over the odds on most occasions. Certainly appeals as good value here at current odds of around the 6/1 mark.

Race 7: — Time: 8.00am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class – Group One

Top Pick: No 9 Multimax

Value Selection: No 11 Thor The Greatest

Exotic Inclusions: No 8 Kynam and No 5 Billante

 

Race Overview

Multimax is a very improving three year old and has adjusted to the class rise last start. Ran a very nice 4th on that occasion all be it with a very light weight. Has the ability to go close today with a senior hoop in Douglas Whyte in the saddle. Come up with another good draw in gate four and should enjoy a very nice trip from that draw. Thor The Greatest well it does look like they have picked the right time for him to go up in class. Not only does he drop 9 Lbs due to the class rise he also gets a further 10 Lbs off with Jack Wong in the saddle. Will be very close to the pace with that weight and can certainly run a very cheeky race here.

 

Race 8: — Time: 8.35am GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 3

Top Pick: No 11 So Caffe

Value Selection: No 2 Red Dancer

Exotic Inclusions: No 9 Supreme Profit and No 8 Colossus

 

Race Overview

So Caffe has always shown promise but has not broken through this season. Gets his chance today against this lot and comes up with another nice draw today in gate 3 which was what he had last start and closed off very well and was not far off the winner on that occasion. Has not got great early gate speed but will be getting home hard late and he has Joao Moreira in the saddle as well today.  Red Dancer is a good performer over this distance at this class having won twice this season over the Sha Tin mile. Was working home well again last start from a wide gate. Gets in closer today and retains his last start hoop. Can certainly get in the finish here once again today at nice each way odds.

 

Race 9: — Time: 9.10am GMT—Distance: 2000m—Class – HKG1

Top Pick: No 1 Key Witness

Value Selection: No 9 Lang Tai Sing

Exotic Inclusions: No 4 Teofilo Calvo and No 11 Supreme Falcon / No 12 Lovely Delovely

 

Race Overview

Key Witness is a very good on paced runner but will most likely be taken back today from the wide gate due to the early inside pace in this race. Four year old who is really showing his form with a very nice win at Class one last start. Back to class two today and carries a similar weight to what he won at class two two starts back. Douglas Whyte has been on him on most occasions and sticks with him today. Lang Tai Sing is a nice type and has never been far away and is mostly at nice odds as well. Closed off extremely well from a wide gate last start and was less than 2 lengths away on the post. Different set up today after coming up with the rails draw and should get a very nice trail in the running from that position. Certainly has appeal at each way odds here.

 

 

Race 10: — Time: 9.50pm GMT—Distance: 1400m—Class 2

Top Pick: No: 5 Packing Pins

Value Selection: No 12 presidentparamount

Exotic Inclusions: No 13 Mah May Baby and No 4 Secret Weapon / No 1 Big Four

 

                                                         Race Overview          

 

Packing Pins does possess good gate speed and should be eased into a nice slot in the running from gate two. You can forget he went around last start as shortly after the jump he was caught wide and was unable to settle infield and as a result was forced to race four wide for almost the entire trip and yielded ground in the straight. Form prior to that was extremely good and certainly looks up to this with a similar weight today and Joao Moreira in the saddle. Certainly a bit of a puzzle after you take out the on top selection here but we may find a bit of value just the same. Presidentparamount goes up in class after two very good performances at class four. He has drawn wide in gate 12 but does look very well suited at this distance and may very well get a bit more but for today he certainly looks very nice odds and would not have to improve too much to get into the finish here. Open race to finish off the card today.