WINNO'S WINNERS: HONG KONG, APRIL 24, 2019
By Darren Winningham | Tuesday, April 23, 2019
HONG KONG RACING - HAPPY VALLEY RACES WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL 2019
Racing is at the Happy Valley track on Wednesday night.
One of the most unique tracks in the world. Built in the middle of the Hong Kong island in amongst sky scrapers and with the unique centre of the track used for a variety of sports and community activities. Racing under lights – in the middle of a city – an awesome experience!
The track should be GOOD – the rail in the true position and the weather is forecast to be overcast with a chance of showers.
These meetings can have a habit of turning up some rough results for punters – so bet carefully!
Leaders can have a distinct advantage here at Happy Valley and horses drawn close to the rail.
**************************************************************************************************
Race 1
A tough race to open the program.
I like the John Moore trained Winning Circle (7) who I hope we will see in that circle after the race!
Karis Teetan has the ride and this runner has seen the Happy Valley track previously. His last few runs at Sha Tin have been not that flash – I am expecting an improved run here.
Show Mission (4) has been racing consistently here in his last three starts. He finds it hard to win with two career wins from 32 starts. Zac Purton has jumped off him this start to ride M Reborn (5). The rider for this start will be Jack Wong.
M Reborn (5) looks like he will start favourite here after two solid runs at Sha Tin. He has drawn a little wide but usually does jump cleanly from the barrier. I expect Purton to take him forward here or take a sit behind the leaders and make a late run at them. He must be respected.
The bottom one here are not without a serious chance as well - Sunny Orient (12).
Selections: 7-5-4-12 rough chance 1
**************************************************************************************************
Race 2
Bundle of Energy (8) is trained by David Hall and to be ridden by Derek Leung (who loves this track). He has drawn barrier 1 which I think will provide a massive boost to his chances. He has had his past three starts here and on two of those occasions he drew the outside barrier. I am looking for a solid effort this week at Happy Valley.
Perfect To Play (3) has won here previously. Joao “The Magic Man” Moreira has been booked by Casper Fownes to partner the five-year-old gelding. He looks well placed and he has drawn barrier 7 and that should be an ideal draw for the way in which he races. Moreira will probably have to sit midfield and make his run late as this is the way this runner is best ridden.
Electric Lightning (4) has won two career race starts here and usually performs best when ridden close to the speed. There are no excuses here with a nice draw of barrier 2 – he gets the chance to find his way to the winner’s stalls.
Selections: 8-3-4-12
**************************************************************************************************
Race 3
Golden Cannon (5) has drawn a nice barrier for this run – I am hoping he fires a massive shot at the opposition and gets home and some great odds here! Vincent Ho stays aboard – in fact he has ridden the seven-year-old gelding for all his three career wins. His last win was here on 23 January – his races all are always well-spaced apart and he has had 5 weeks since his last run.
Enjoyable Success (6) is another nice ride for Zac Purton. He has drawn the rails which enhances his chances on this tight turning track. He normally gets back in his races so I think he may just fill a place.
Dragon Warrior (2) won here on 6 March with Chad Schofield in the saddle. He goes up in weight, however he looks an ideal chance as here as he races handy – normally in behind the speed and should power home late. Let’s just hope the weight does not tell over the final 100 metres.
Megatron (3) was a super run here last start over 1650 metres – he steps up to 1800 metres this week. Despite the wide draw look for Moreira to take up a forward position and get him to settle.
Some roughies that could pop up are Come On Wongchoy (4) who won here last start on 26 February. He has had a couple of barrier trials since to keep him ticking over.
Mi Blanco (8) and Neil Callan may get some better luck from barrier 2 and may be able to fill a place.
Selections: 5-2-3-6 rough chances 4 and 8
**************************************************************************************************
Race 4
I am tipping Jumbo Prize (5) here to claim the prize!
This Casper Fownes trained three-year-old gelding I thought was awesome on debut here on 20 March over 1200 metres. The run was his first in Honkers and I think he will have derived some benefit from that first up effort. He recently had a barrier trial here on 6 April – that trial was enough to show me that, drawn in barrier 3, he is a genuine contender here to cause and upset.
The favourite is Zac Purton’s mount Le Terrior (11) ironically drawn in barrier 11! He has mixed his racing up in the past few starts. Last start he was ridden forward here by Zac over the 1200 metres and just seemed to run out of fitness late. He has had a fortnight between runs and I think, despite the wide gate, he will be very hard to beat.
Dream Warriors (4) also debuted here and really didn’t fire. I am going on his recent trial at Sha Tin where he performed very well with Karis Teetan in the saddle. The other factor is that he has drawn the rails. I expect him to be ridden forward and to take a power of beating.
Play Wise (1) carrying topweight is coming back to 1200 metres here – I think the shorter distance will improve his chances.
Selections: 5-11-4-1
**************************************************************************************************
Race 5
I am hoping that One Step Ahead (5) can be at least 5 steps ahead when the judge calls a halt to this race!
This runner is on debut here in Hong Kong for trainer Paul O’Sullivan. He has had three barrier trials and all three have been very good and would suggest that he is ready to win first up here. He is around $6 so I think he is a reasonable gamble.
Gift Of Lifeline (3) is the early favourite. He has raced here his past 3 starts for a win and two thirds. He is drawn well in barrier 5 and should be placed midfield in the running by Karis Teetan. He does like this track and that normally means that they will run well here.
Flying Monkey (4) will be looking to get the monkey off his back when he goes around here. His only two career wins were here at Happy Valley. He has a recent trial at Sha Tin over 1050 metres where he just seemed to be warming up late. This race is over 1200 metres and, taking that trial form forward, he should be competitive.
Loriz (7) likes to lead and could well be the likely leader – however, he has drawn barrier 9 and that may be to his detriment.
Glittering Armour (12) gets his first look at the Happy Valley track in a 12-start career. His efforts at Sha Tin would suggest that he would likely be placed to the rear of the field – looking for some genuine speed in the race to fly home late. He may get those conditions in this race.
Selections: 5-3-4-12 rough chance 7
**************************************************************************************************
Race 6 The Korea Racing Authority Trophy
Our feature race on the program.
I like the runners right down the bottom here. Matthew Poon is an exciting young apprentice making his mark in Hong Kong racing and he rides Split Of Second (12). The runner is drawn handy in barrier 3 and will race midfield. There is some genuine speed in the race, and I think that he will get a nice cart into the race. If Poon can get some luck along the rails in the straight, he is the one to beat!
Fat Turtle (2) is trained by the young trainer making his name in Hong Kong racing – Frankie Lor. He like to lead and race in a forward role – Purton will need to get him out fast from barrier 11 and hope that something does not push up on the inside and make him work for the lead. If he gets an easy lead the race could be all over! Planet Star (9) is drawn on the inside of him in barrier 10 – he likes to lead so they may both come across from their wide barriers and race in a prominent position.
Red Desert (4) makes his debut run in Hong Kong. John Size trains this three-year-old gelding and he has been getting him ready for a first up assault with three solid hit outs in barrier trials. His last two trials at Sha Tin he has won and on each occasion he has looked like a genuine race horse. Joao Moreira has ridden him in all the trials and remains aboard for his first up run. I have some serious respect for this runner.
Lady First (11) gets back in his races – if the speed is cut throat here he could be storming home late as the leaders get tired.
Selections: 12-2-4-11 rough chance 6
***************************************************************************************************
Race 7
I like the top two here to battle out this race. I think it is a great quinella! Why not box the Dragons – and get some fire in your wallets!
Dances With Dragon (1) has won here and likes the longer distances. He steps up to 1800 metres this start that I think will make him super competitive. He drops back in grade as well from Grade 2 to Grade 3.
John Moore (2) and Zac Purton combine here with Happy Dragon (2). They will combine on Sunday in the FWD Champions Day with the Hong Kong superstar Beauty Generation in the FWD Champions Mile (Group 1). Maybe this race will see them post an early victory leading into the Sunday race meeting.
This runner posted a win here on 18 February over the distance. He then stepped up to 2200 metres here last start – I am not to sure that he is a genuine stayer and may not have stayed the distance. Now he is coming back in distance he makes himself a contender to win this race!
High Volatility (10) likes to lead and has drawn barrier one. Apprentice Cash Wong takes 2.5 kilograms off the weight and that could be a factor in the final 100 metres if he gets away with a cheap lead and is not pressured.
Dynamic Eagle (9) is another runner coming back from the longer distances in recent starts where he has seemed to struggle. Maybe a change of fortune over 1800 metres where he has won previously.
Selections: 1-2-10-9
***************************************************************************************************
Race 8
There is a massive push here for this first up runner in the last race – Yee Cheong Baby (1) trained by Jimmy Ting and to be ridden by Zac Purton. This runner is an ex-Sydney runner making his debut in Hong Kong. He has had two barnstorming trials to get ready for this run – one at Sha Tin and the latest here at Happy Valley. The trials speak for themselves and the times and performances would indicate that this runner has some ability. He has drawn well in barrier 5 and in his previous starts in NSW he has always raced well on the speed.
The main opposition should come from Frustrated (9) who has won his part two starts here over the 1000 metres. Another nice chance for Cash Wong who has ridden him to his past two starts for trainer Frankie Lor. I like this runner to knock off the new comer and claim a hat track of wins at the Happy Valley course.
This could be another nice quinella to end the night on a high!
Dream Come True rounds out my top three selections. This runner won here when leading last start. He has paid the penalty for that win going up in weight by 3 kilograms – however, he has drawn the rails again and should get an easy lead. Keith Yeung takes over from Zac Purton in the saddle.
Golden Dash (9) resumes racing after having after a five-month spell. His barrier trial three weeks ago at Sha Tin would suggest he is ready to run a race.
Space (8) is an ex-New Zealand runner who has a history of leading there in his race starts. His barrier trials have been average – but he has drawn the rails here for his first race in Hong Kong.
Selections: 9-1-3-10 rough chance 8
**************************************************************************************************
Jockey Challenge
Zac Purton looks the winner. However, you may wish to have a sly bet on Karis Teetan and Vincent Ho – they may be over the odds and may be able to be competitive with their book of rides.
Early Quaddie (races 1 to 4 NSW only)
4,5,7,12 / 3,4,8 / 2,3,5 / 1,4,5,11 - cost is $144 for $1
Quaddie (Races 5 to 8)
3,4,5,12 / 2,4,11,12 / 1,2,10 / 1,3,9 - cost is $144 to $1
Value Quaddie (Races 5 to 8)
3,5 / 2,4,12 / 1,2 / 1,9 - cost is $24 to $1
Treble (Races 6 to 8)
2,4,11,12 / 1,2,10 / 1,3,9 - cost is $36 to $1
More articles
|