WINNO'S WINNERS: HKIR - HONG KONG, DECEMBER 8

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, December 7, 2019

LONGINES HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL RACES – SUNDAY 8 DECEMBER 2019

The stage is set for a great day of racing on Sunday. The overseas horses, trainers, jockeys and connections have primed their horses to peak for this day … bringing horses from all around the world to Hong Kong to take on the local stars and contest the HK$93 million that is on offer for the races.

The feature races are:

The Longines Hong Kong Vase – race 4 of the program (HK$20 million prizemoney)
The Longines Hong Kong Sprint – race 5 (HK$20 million prizemoney)
The Longines Hong Kong Mile – race 7 (HK$25 million prizemoney)
The Longines Hong Kong Cup – race 8 (HK$28 million prizemoney)

All four races are listed at Group 1 level. With so much glory and prizemoney on offer there will be some competitive racing.

There is a massive program set down with 10 races with the first race to commence at 12.00pm local time.

NB: As this form assessment was made prior to race-day, please check final fields and track conditions for any changes on the day

*************************************************************************************************

Race 1

Race one is an open event to start the day off over 1400 metres.

Looks a nice way to start the day with the pin up jockey Joao Moreira riding the Frankie Lor trained Triple Triple (7) who is fitter for two recent runs and is third up this weekend. Three weeks since his last start effort – he looks well placed here.

The topweight is Emerald Spur who is trained by Ricky Liu (the current season leading trainer). This runner has won his past two starts here and must lump a large weight, but his wins have been dominant and the times very good. Despite the large weight he has drawn well and could post a hat trick of wins.

Zac Purton rides All Wongchoy (3) for Danny Shum. His recent starts and wins have been at Happy Valley and he steps out to Sha Tin for this first time on Sunday. He trialled well here two weeks ago. Look for Purton to come about four wide in the straight on this runner and fly home late.

Looks like the current two Hong Kong jockeys may battle the first race out.

If you are looking for a roughie to sneak a place – take a good look at Fantastic Show (13). This could be a topical tip as I am betting this LONGINES program will be a fantastic show! He gets back out of his ground and storms home late – if there is good pace in this race – he could be the one to knock them off with no weight on his back.

Selections:

7 – Triple Triple
3 – All Wongchoy
1 – Emerald Spur
13 – Fantastic Show
Rough chance 6


Race 2

I think there were two unlucky runners last start. The Tony Cruz trained Happy Sebring (4) was not suited by the lack of speed up front early and drifted back into the field before storming home late when the race was all over. Look for the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey for 2019 Frankie Dettori to get this runner nicely balanced and racing a little further forward than last start. He may not have liked the 2000 metres either last start – the 1800 metres of this race should suit him better.

Then there is I Do (8) with Zac Purton aboard I Do (8). This runner was caught wide last start without cover. That run was nine weeks ago. He has been kept fit with two solid barrier trials and he looks a nice type to post a win here.

Easy Go Easy Win (1) is dropping back from Class 2 company to Class 3 and is trained by Douglas Whyte who is having a great run of success in recent weeks. His past two starts here over this distance would suggest that he will be right in this race.

Selections:

8 – I Do
4 – Happy Sebring
1 – Easy Go Easy Win
2 – Splendour and Gold
Rough chance – 6


Race 3

This is a difficult race to assess as there are several runners either making their debut after being sold to Hong Kong from Australia or having their second starts here.

I like the local runner Beauty Applause (4) who has had a month off since his last win. John Size trains this runner and Joao Moreira will ride him. Last start he pinged the gates and led easily and saw off the late challengers. Looks like he will be ridden the same was on Saturday and looks like he will be heavily backed.

Shining Gem (10) won here last start and wasn’t really tested in the final stages. The time was good for this class of race and Grant Van Niekerk stays aboard this weekend. He does have barrier 13 to contend with – maybe he will get in and get a nice trail in the race.

Be Ready (3) trained by Frankie Lor and to be ridden by Hugh Bowman looks a place chance.

Selections:

4 – Beauty Applause
10 – Shining Gem
3 – Be Ready
13 – Diamond Brilliant
Rough chances 8 & 14


Race 4 2019 LONGINES HONG KONG VASE (Group 1)

The first of our feature races.

Lucky Lilac (11) has been under an injury cloud all week with some lameness – not sure if she will make it to face the starter.

Exultant (1) is looking to go back to back in this race – this has never been done before. Zac Purton rides this proven Group 1 performer who is trained by Tony Cruz. He has drawn wide in barrier 14 – but I don’t think this will hamper his chances of winning.

Anthony Van Dyck (13) is trained by Aidan O’Brien – he needs no introductions here. He trained previous Highland Reel to win this race in 2015 and 2017. This runner has been working solidly all week with Ryan Moore in the saddle. He seems to thrive over 2400 metres and will be hard to hold out if the race is run to suit.

My other selections are …

Glory Vase (2) trained by Tomohito Ozeki from Japan. Joao Moreira on board for the run. I would forgive his last run at Kyoto over 2400 metres where he was not given any favours by the jockey. He has trained well all week here.

The roughie I like is around $41 – Aspetar (3) the English runner. He comes off a solid Group 1 win at Cologne last start. He has settled in well and looks value in this field.

Prince of Arran (7) put in a sensational piece of track work on Wednesday morning and could sneak a place as well.

Selections:

1 – Exultant
13 – Anthony Van Dyck
2 – Glory Vase
3 – Aspetar
Rough chance 7


Race 5 2019 LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT (Group 1)

The second of our feature races. This race has been won be some wonderful horses over the years.

Who can ever forget the back to back wins of the Japanese sensation Lord Kanaloa in 2012 & 2013? Then you have the local star Aerovelocity who won in 2014 & 2016. The latest winner is Mr Stunning who has won for the past two years and is looking to make it three in a row this year!

Hot King Prawn (4) was unlucky last year, He drew wide and had no luck. He resumed with a solid effort behind the other Hong Kong sensation Aethero in the Jockey Club Sprint (Group 2). There is no reason why this John Size runner and Karis Teetan cannot prevail here.

Then you have the John Moore trained Aethero (14) who won the Jockey Club Sprint (Group 2) with Zac Purton aboard leading all the way and clocking a sensational 1:07:58. This time would see him win the race by 2 lengths if he can run the same time on Sunday. This time is phenomenal when you compare it to previous winners such as the magnificent Japanese sprinter Lord Kanaloa who clocked the fastest time in the last ten years of 1:08:25.

The Japanese runner Danon Smash (7) has been racing well in Group 2 and Group 1 events in Japan. He comes here with some solid track work and some chance here in the sprint.

Full of Beauty (11) had to go back from the wide barrier last start and still managed to finish off the sprint well behind the local sensation Aethero (14). He is drawn more favourably today. This is his first run at Group 1 level – a definite rough chance.

There is a sense amongst the locals that Beat The Clock (1) is the one to beat – maybe they are right. His run first up behind Aethero was solid and he does have the service of the “Magic Man” Joao Moriera.

Selections:

14 – Aethero
4 – Hot King Prawn
7 – Danon Smash
11 – Full of Beauty
Rough chance 1


Race 6

Monica (9) is trained by John Moore and will be ridden by James McDonald. He drew wide last start and was a victim of the wide draw, then striking interference in the straight but still knuckled down and got beaten by a neck. Drawn in barrier 5 and with the services of Aussie Jay Mac I think he looks a great bet on the program.

Star of Yuen Long (7) was first up last start after a short 6-week break. He was taken to the lead and looked the winner everywhere but on the winning post when he was swamped late and went down by just half a length. I think that he will strip fitter and will be ridden forward again this weekend by Vincent Ho.

Moreira rides Super Star (2) who won first up here over this distance. He then has a short break and got too far back and wasn’t suited by the slow tempo of the race. I think there is some speed in this race, and he will be well suited here this weekend.

Lakeshore Eagle (8) comes off a last start victory here a month ago. Derek Leung stays in the saddle and despite drawing a little wide will probably race midfield and I expect him to be in the finish.

Selections:

9 – Monica
7 – Star Of Yuen Long
2 – Super Star
8 – Lakeshore Eagle
Rough chance 1


Race 7 2019 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (Group 1)

The third leg of the Group 1 races – worth a whopping HK$25 million.

The race was won by the short priced favourite Beauty Generation (1) ridden by Zac Purton and trained by Hong Kong racing stalwart John Moore in 2018. I must declare I have a soft spot for this horse. In fact, I have every piece of memorabilia that the HKJC have released. I love him!

Now I must be pragmatic – he just seems not to have come up this preparation. Sunday is his Grand Final. If he does not perform well, I would suggest retirement is on the cards for this wonderful seven-year-old gelding. He has nothing to prove – he has won 7 Group 1 races and amassed HK$89.7 million in prizemoney. Let’s hope they leave him alone in front and we get to see him retire on a winning note on the international stage.

The other runner that must be considered is the John Size trained Waikuku (4) to be ridden by Joao Moreira. He won the Jockey Club Mile (Group 2) lasts start soundly defeating Beauty Generation. He has been set for this race after his disappointing effort back in April in the FWD QEII Cup. This runner is fresh and ready to go – he can win this.

If there is to be an international upset, it will come from the Japan runner – Indy Champ (2). Winner of two Group 1 races and is currently Japan’s stand out miler for 2019. The key booking of Australian jockey Damian Lane suggests that the Japanese are here to upset the party!

The other Japanese runner Normcore (10) will appreciate the fast speed that will be present with the engagement of Kay Ying Star (6). He gets back and rattles home late.

Selections:

4 – Waikuku
1 – Beauty Generation
2 – Indy Champ
10 – Normcore
Rough chance 6


Race 8 2019 HONG KONG CUP (Group 1)

The last leg of the Group 1 races – worth HK$28 million. I think this is the most open of all of them despite the small field.

The globetrotting Aidan O’Brien mare Magic Wand looks well placed here. Her win in the Group 1 Mackinnon was awesome. She comes here looking well and her track work suggests that she is ready to stake a claim for the International visitors! Ryan Moore has partnered her in her recent wins and has ridden her at track work – hard to beat.

Furore (6) is trained by Frankie Lor and will be ridden by Australian Hugh Bowman. He turned in a wonderful effort behind Exultant last start and is the early market favourite for the race. He truly will carry the weight of the Hong Kong money – especially if they have posted victories in the other 3 legs of the feature races!

Win Bright (1) won the FWD QEII Cup here in April – looks the best of the other runners to upset the more favoured chances.

Selections:

7 – Magic Wand
6 – Furore
1 – Win Bright
8 – Edisa
Rough chance 2


Race 9

A Class 2 sprint over 1200 metres here.

This race looks a match race between the John Moore trained Thanks Forever (2) and the Frankie Lor trained Fat Turtle (4).

Thanks Forever (2) ran in the Group 2 race last start which Aethero won. He drops sharply back in grade and has the services of James McDonald. Barrier 9 will be fine for this runner as there is some speed drawn inside of him and he should be able to peel across and get a nice trail behind the leaders.

Fat Turtle (4) was sent out a red-hot favourite last start and was soundly defeated by Thanks Forever (2). He meets him better at the weights this weekend and the draw is favourable … plus you have Joao Moreira aboard. He won a barrier trial on 26 November and looked like he is the one to beat here.

A roughie for mine is Mr Croissant (10) – will he be served warm here? His recent starts have been “hot.” He has had all 9 career starts here at Sha Tin and has never been out of a place and has won 4 races at the track. Vincent Ho is in the saddle again this weekend. He won on him last start – no weight on his back – drawn well – he could cause and upset at a decent price.

Selections:

2 – Thanks Forever
4 – Fat Turtle
10 – Mr Croissant
3 – Gunnison


Race 10

The last race on a massive feature race day in Hong Kong – let’s hope we have all had some wins and there is plenty in the wallet!

There are two progressive horses facing each other in the last race – More Than This (4) and Playa Del Puente (5).

More Than This (4) will be partnered by Karis Teetan who will be riding on cloud nine after his success on Wednesday night at Happy Valley being declared the LONGINES International Jockeys Championship winner. He will be looking to continue the success posting a win on Hong Kong’s biggest day of racing.

This horse will settle midfield and should fly home late. He has gone up in the weights – that is my only real concern.

Joao Moreira finishes off the day with another solid chance here – Playa Del Puente (5) for trainer Danny Shum. This lightly raced four-year-old gelding led all the way last start at Happy Valley. I don’t think he necessarily has to be ridden that way here this weekend and with some speed in the race he may just sit off the leaders and smoke his pipe before making a charge late.

The two Australian riders Chad Schofield and Hugh Bowman could upset these more fancied runners.

Chad Schofield partners the John Size trained Nicconi Express who won last start here at the same distance. He goes up slightly in the weights, however, he is ideally drawn and will benefit from the solid speed that will be in the race.

Bowman rides Not Usual Talent (1) who raced in a Group 2 event last start. Dropping back in grade here and he is a horse that has previously thrived at the track and distance. He in one to be included in your exotics and multiples.

Super Oasis (8) is a former Australian runner sold to Hong Kong interests. He makes his debut here for trainer Frankie Lor and Zac Purton. He has had three solid trials and his previous form was in Group 1 race in NSW around The Autumn Sun form. He may need the run – but he is one to follow moving forward from this meeting.

Preciousship (14) goes up in grade and down in weight – has won here over the track and distance and may be a rough chance.

Selections:
4 – More Than This
5 – Playa Del Punte
7 – Nicconi Express
1 – Not Usual Talent
Rough chances 8 & 14

**************************************************************************************************

Jockeys Challenge

Joao Moreira seems to have a wonderful book of rides this year. He looks the one to beat.

Early Quaddie (Races 3 to 6 NSW)

4,10 / 1,13 / 4,14 / 2,7,9 - cost is $24 to $1

Quaddie (Races 7 to 10)

1,2,4 / 6,7 / 2,4,10 / 1,4,5,7 - cost is $72 to $1

Treble (Races 8 to 10)

6,7 / 2,4,10 / 1,4,5,7 - cost is $24 to $1

SUPER SIX (races 5 to 10)

4,14 / 2,7,9 / 1,2,4 / 6,7 / 2,4,10 /1,2,5,7 - cost is $432 to $1

SUPER SIX (the cheap one)

4,14 / 7,9 / 4 / 6,7 / 2,4 / 4,5,7 - cost is $48 to $1

More articles