WINNO'S INTERNATIONAL WINNERS, HONG KONG, 26 APRIL 2020
By Darren Winningham | Sunday, April 26, 2020
FWD CHAMPIONS DAY 2020 SHA TIN RACECOURSE HONG KONG, SUNDAY 26 APRIL 2020
HONG KONG RACES
The track should be rated “GOOD” for the 2020 FWD Champion’s Day.
Normally WINNO and HRO would be here for this prestigious day, however, COVID-19 and the travel restrictions have put a stop to that!
Let us have a look at the program that features some wonderful racing!
Race 1
This is a tough way to open the program – looks very even and a hard field to find a winner.
I am going off a last start unlucky runner who was held up, checked off heels and finished strong on the straight at Sha Tin – City Legend (13) to be ridden by Karis Teetan. He remains down in the weights and is still looking for his first win in Hong Kong but I think the wide barrier will assist him and there is some good speed in the race that should permit him to get home strongly out wide.
John Size trains the topweight Chairman Lo (1) and Joao Moreira will take the ride.
David Hall trains Charge On (3) who won here last start around seven weeks ago and has had a break. His trial recently was lacklustre; however, he should be ready to run a nice race here.
Telecom Rocket (6) is third up this prep and has had two starts here over the 1400 metres. He is fit enough to show up and cause and upset win. Jockey Keith Leung takes over the reins for this start.
John Moore trains Sprint Forward (4) and Aussie Blake Shinn is in the saddle. He is only lightly raced and his trial over 1000 metres a few weeks back was a lot better than it appears on paper. He thrives at seven furlongs and he will be rock hard fit for this first up assignment – don’t underestimate this runner.
Selections:
13 – City Legend
1 – Chairman Lo
6 – Telecom Rocket
4 – Sprint Forward
Rough chances – (3) Charge On and (14) Super Winner
Race 2
I really think this race is between my top three selections.
The boom gelding that has made a big impact on the scene is the K L Man trained War of Courage (6) who won last start here over 1000 metres in sensational fashion. Prior to that run he was solid first up narrowly being defeated. He normally races on the speed. This weekend he has drawn barrier 11 and will have to be used up early to cross the field and take up the running. Chad Schofield rides this runner. I am going to say he cannot win! I think the 1200 metres will test him in this grade.
Tony Cruz trains California Turbo (11) who seems to have been working into form to win a race. He has drawn barrier 2 and the Magic Man, Joao Moreira takes the ride. I think with the speed on and the way this runner settles 3 or 4 pairs back the tempo of the race suits him.
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Ka Ying Legend (1) is very consistent. He will go forward too and probably put pressure on War of Courage (6) – but then again, he may just take a sit. He has accumulated a big weight for his consistent efforts recently. This may cause some drama late.
Selections:
11 – California Turbo
1 – Ka Ying Legend
6 – War of Courage
9 – Bright Vision
Rough chance – (2) War Room
Race 3
The topweight is up in weight – if he can carry the weight and Zac Purton can get an easy run from the wide barrier, I can see this runner posting a victory. He probably won’t lead on him this weekend as there is some serious speed in the race.
Casa De Forca (4) has drawn very well this weekend in barrier 2 and may decide to lead from that inside draw. Chad Schofield will suit this runner. He normally races well over a mile. He could sprint well if left alone in front.
Voyage Star (7) won here last start leading all the way. This weekend he has drawn terribly in barrier 13. I think with the extra weight and the barrier he may be soft late.
Rhapsody (6) is an interesting first starter for the John Size and Moreira – don’t underestimate this runner.
Selections:
1 – Good Luck Friend
4 – Casa De Forca
7 – Voyage Star
6 - Rhapsody
Rough chance – (14) Speedy Dragon
Race 4
A race over the mile.
Quick Thinker (13) looks well placed down in the weights here with Joao Moreira to ride. He will be out in front over the final 100 metres – it will be just a matter whether he can hang on and outstay the swoopers that will come hard at him late as the winning post gets closer.
The runner that will be storming home late will be Horseain Bolt (3) trained by Douglas Whyte and ridden by Matthew Chadwick. This runner has been working up to the mile, comes off a solid effort over 1400 metres four weeks ago and he will enjoy the speed on in the race.
Zac Purton rides Power Scheme (10) for Frankie Lor. This runner is fifth up this spell and has been sent out a short-priced favourite in every run this preparation. With a tongue tie on, maybe he can find his best and win the race.
Lakeshore Eagle (2) is a last start winner here over the track and distance. He is up sharply in the weights and this may impact on him late in the run.
This is a very open race – it could pay well to play wide away from the more favoured runners who have been costly for punters.
Selections:
13 – Quick Thinker
3 – Horseain Bolt
10 – Power Scheme
2 – Lakeshore Eagle
Rough chance – (6) Hall of Champ (8) Gift Of Lifeline
Race 5 – The Chairman’s Sprint – Group 1
Our first feature race of the day – the Group 1 sprint.
Okay I will declare I am a massive fan of the three-year-old gelding Aethero (11) who was belted around last start in the running. To say he was unlucky is an understatement – it was like a demolish derby on the track and he faded late and tailed off. Since then he has had a solid hit out in a barrier trial by the astute, legend trainer John Moore. Zac Purton rides him again – can he post his first Group 1 in Hong Kong?
Hot King Prawn (1) has been very consistent in most of the Group 1 sprints in Hong Kong and is a proven performer at this level. John Size and Joao Moreira – these two are a difficult combination to beat in Group 1 races in Hong Kong.
Last start Voyage Warrior (7) drew well and got all the favours in front and with Aethero (11) being knocked out of the race surged away for a solid win at Group 2 level with Vincent Ho aboard – can he post a Group 1 win? The time was not that flash for a Hong Kong sprint, so I have some reservations about him backing up here.
The one that looks like may have plenty of improvement and ran some sensational time in winning last start is Big Time Baby (9) who ran 1:07 last time out winning here over 1200 metres. That run was ten weeks ago, and he has been primed for this race with two recent barrier trials. His last trial was exceptionally good over 1000 metres. Matthew Chadwick rides this K L Man trained runner – it would be great to see him post a Group 1 victory.
Blake Shinn rides the other John Moore runner Thanks Forever (2) – he is not without a genuine chance and it would give Blake his first Group 1 winner in Honkers!
Selections:
11 – Aethero
9 – Big Time Baby
7 – Voyage Warrior
1 – Hot King Prawn
Rough chance (2) Thanks Forever
Race 6
He looks a nice type this Richard Gibson superstar – Wellington (1). He has won 3 from 3 in Hong Kong and was partnered by Zac Purton in his last win – he retains the ride here this weekend. He looks very progressive, but he does look at 1400 metres for the first time. He does settle off the speed and come home late. There is some genuine speed in the race so I think he will be suited by the race tempo.
Beauty Smile (3) is a Tony Cruz runner who looks like he will be suited by 1400 metres. He was super under a massive weight first up over this distance and he stormed home late – if he does not suffer a case of the second up yips, I think he can be competitive in this race.
Fantastic Show (10) is a Y S Sui trained gelding who has won his past three starts here at Sha Tin over 1400 metres. That winning form at the track and distance and must be respected – Moreira to ride again to see if he can post four consecutive wins on this runner.
Selections:
1 – Wellington
3 – Beauty Smile
10 – Fantastic Show
11 – High Rise Soldier
Rough chance – (6) Toycoon
Race 7 Group 1 The FWD Champions Mile
The second Group 1 – feature race of the program – the Mile.
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Simple – as WINNO is the self-proclaimed number 1 Australian supporter of the HONG KONG CHAMPION Beauty Generation (1) I am tipping him to post a win with Zac Purton aboard. He was amiss in December when I was in Hong Kong for the Longines International Carnival – but the legendary John Moore has got him back firing and he has posted wins in his last two starts!
His obvious danger and arch enemy Waikuku (2) goes around here again for the John Size/Joao Moreira combination. They could post a second Group 1 win on the program if they can combine earlier in race 5 in the Sprint race with Hot King Prawn.
It looks a good trifecta 1- 2 and 3!
Selections:
1 – Beauty Generation
2 – Waikuku
3 – Kay Ying Star
5 – Southern Legend
Race 8 Group 1 FWD QEII Cup
The final Group 1 race of the meeting.
Only a small field of 7 runners – probably due to the internationals staying home due to the COVID-19 dilemma.
Trainer Tony Cruz holds the key to the race – you can take either of his runners Exultant (1) or Time Warp (2) to win the race. In fact, it looks like he can train the trifecta with his other runner Furore (3) rounding out my top three selections.
It is a flip of the coin as to which runner will prevail – I am tipping Time Warp (1) to get out in front and dominate the speed and tempo of the race and steal the race. Can Moreira claim the three Group 1 races today?
I am certain that Zac Purton and Exultant (1) will be doing everything in their power to post another Group 1 victory.
He has won $HK53 million in prizemoney and he could add some more here in this race!
Selections:
2 – Time Warp
1 – Exultant
3 – Furore
7 – Glorious Dragon
Race 9
A class 2 race over 1200 metres named after a wonderful Hong Kong sprinter – Silent Witness. He won 17 consecutive races before being beaten when he attempted to win the Champions Mile in May 2005.
This is a tough race with many chances.
Computer Patch (4) is a John Moore runner to be ridden by Joao Moreira. I think you should overlook his last effort second up when he got too far back and really got going late and flew home. This weekend he has drawn barrier 1 so look for the Magic Man to be just in behind the speed and expose him to make his run around the 150-metre mark.
Shining Ace (6) will be ridden by Karis Teetan. Last start he was ridden for luck along the rails and got all the breaks. He will need some of that luck again this weekend – but his win was full of merit and he should be respected.
Gold Chest (7) is a Zac Purton mount. He raced over 1000 metres last start and only sprouted wings late and ran out of time to run down the leaders. Back up to 1200 metres he will be right in this race.
You want a roughie to knock off these more favoured runners take a gamble with Transcendent (12). He can be tardy out of the gates – but he jumps cleanly he may improve sharply.
Selections:
4 – Computer Patch
6 – Shining Ace
7 – Gold Chest
12 - Transcendent
Rough chance – (2) Yee Cheong Baby
Race 10
The last race on a massive day of racing and it is over the mile.
Think I will look for some value from the top weights who will be well supported in this final event.
I have gone for General’s Delight (12) for the Douglas Whyte stable with Alfred Ak Chan to take the reins. He is up in grade, however, the claim for this apprentice brings him in quite well. I think at each way double figure odds he will be settled back in the field and come late. He raced well last start over 1400 metres and finished off strongly to suggest that the mile is what he is looking for.
Butterfield (3) is a Moreira mount – they like to unload on him in the last race at Hong Kong. Let us hope he doesn’t knock off my roughie here! He is coming back from 2000 metres last start to the mile. I think that the mile is more his go and should be right in this race.
Preciousship (1) was sent out a short-priced favourite last start over the mile at Class 1 grade. He drops back to Class 2 and goes up in weight – he is a serious contender here.
Selections:
12 – General’s Delight
3 – Butterfield
1 – Preciousship
13 – Monica
Rough chances – (6) Band of Brothers (9) Cordyceps
Jockey Challenge
Clearly a contest between the two Hong Kong heavyweights – Joao Moreira and Zac Purton. I think “The Magic Man” – Joao Moreira will just get home!
Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
1,2/1,2/4,6,7/1,3,12 - cost is $36 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
1/2/4,7/1,3,12 - cost is $6 to $1
Treble (races 8 to 10)
1,2/4,6,7/1,3,12 - cost is $18 to $1
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