WINNO'S WINNERS: HONG KONG FWD CHAMPIONS DAY
By Darren Winningham | Saturday, April 23, 2022
FWD CHAMPIONS RACE DAY 2022.
Well let me state the obvious – it will be a clean sweep for Hong Kong based runners in 2022 with no international runners permitted to come to Hong Kong for this prestigious meeting,
It is a assive eleven race card and I have selected four races for this preview.
Race 6 – Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint
The first of our feature races. With HK$20 million on offer in prize money.
You cannot go past the new Hong Kong Racing sprinter sensation Wellington (2) trained by Richard Gibson and to be ridden by Alexis Badel. Alexis has won on him at his past two starts where he was successful in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) and the Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m). Not to mention he is the defending champion winning this race in 2021. Badel has an amazing strike rate on the gelding with seven wins in eleven rides. He will probably sit a few pairs back in the running prior to unleashing his trademark sprint that seems to be unparalleled in Hong Kong.
Skyfield (1) trained by Casper Fownes and to be ridden by Australia’s Blake Shinn is the biggest danger. He was defeated last time out by Wellington (2) in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400 metres. I think that he is much sharper over 1200 metres and expect a bold effort here.
Hot King Prawn (5) is trained by Hong Kong’s leading trainer John Size – to be ridden by Joao Moreira. Despite being a seven-year-old he always fronts up in these races and comes off a three week freshen up.
Computer Patch (9) looks a good roughie here. He is third up here this preparation and could sneak a place at big odds. He will be ridden by Matthew Chadwick and to be fair wasn’t that far away from Wellington (2) last time out in the Group 2 Sprint Cup.
Selections:
2 – Wellington
1 – Skyfield
5 – Hot King Prawn
9 – Computer Patch
Race 8 – Group 1 FWD Champions Mile
Let’s not beat around the bush – simple – the Hong Kong Champion racehorse Golden Sixty (1) should just win, He will be prohibitive odds, however, despite this he will get the job done! The mile is his go and Vincent Ho will be looking for his 21st win on this gelding. I just think he wins!
Attempting to spoil the party will be the Australian jockey and master tactician Zac Purton who will ride the Tony Cruz three-year-old California Spangle (8). He will lead the field and attempt to control the race in front. If he can upset the favourite, it will be one of his best rides ever in Hong Kong.
It is a dead set quinella and exacta for mine. This three-year-old has plenty of good races in front of him.
As for the rest – John Size’s trio of Champions Way (6), Excellent Proposal (7) and Waikuku (3) look like they can fill the placings for your exotic bets – not sure in what order but they look the best of the rest.
Selections:
1 – Golden Sixty
8 – California Spangle
6 – Champions Way
7 – Excellent Proposal
Race 9 – Group 1 FWD QEII Cup
This race is the main feature – worth HK$25 million. I like the BMW Hong Kong Derby (Group 1) winner Romantic Warrior (8) to cap off an amazing week for jockey Karis Teetan. This gelding is trained by Danny Shum and will be one of only a few runners in recent history to win the Derby – QEII Cup double. Karis has been aboard the gelding in his past two victories. I just think that he has the class and the amazing turn of foot at the end of his races to win this race.
Blake Shinn will be looking to spoil the party on the Douglas Whyte trained Russian Emperor (1). He was solid last time out running a gallant second to Golden Sixty (Race 8 – number 1). I am not certain whether the mile is to his liking, or this extended 2000 metre race will suit him. One thing is for sure the Blake Shinn will be looking to seek another Group One victory in Hong Kong.
As for the rest of the runners yet again it is very open, and anything could really fill the placings.
Selections:
8 – Romantic Warrior
1 – Russian Emperor
3 – Tourbillon Diamond
2 – Ka Ying Star
Race 11
The last race on a massive day of racing at Sha Tin.
I cannot go past the Australian trainer David Hayes gelding Lucky With You (11). This gelding is second up this weekend over a distance where he thrives – 1200 metres. He was ridden forward from a wide barrier first up and faded late – since then he has had a solid trial. He is unbeaten second up in is preparations – I expect him to settle a few pairs back this weekend with some serious speed in the race and be too good for them late. Karis Teetan will ride.
Blake Shinn will ride the favorite Codyceps Six (4) for Richard Gibson. He has won his part two starts prior to a five week freshen up. Has had a barrier trial but I just think the extra weight may just tell late with Lucky With You (11) carrying six kilograms less.
Blaze Warrior (3) will be ridden by Joao Moreira for John Size. He gets back in his races and then thunders home late – needs a lot of luck in the running. I am not certain that the speed this weekend will suit him here and the large field may also be against him.
Rock Ya Heart (10) is trained by K Lui and will be ridden by Keith Yeung. Has been racing very well in Class 3 events and last time out won a race here at this distance. He won that race in good time – goes down in weight and goes up to Class 2 – however, in saying that has a perfect barrier draw in barrier 1 and could cause an upset to these more favoured runners.
Selections:
11 – Lucky With You
4 – Cordyceps Six
3 – Blaze Warrior
10 – Rock Ya Heart
Quaddie (races 8 to 11)
1 / 1,8 / 7,12 / 4,11 - cost is $8 to $1
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