WINNO'S WINNERS: SHA TIN, INTERNATIONAL RACES
By Darren Winningham | Saturday, December 12, 2020
SHA TIN RACES – SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER 2020
THE LONGINES INTERNATIONAL RACES 2020
The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s features races of the year kicked off on Wednesday night with the running of the Hong Kong Longines International Jockeys Championship (IJC) where the winner was Australia’s ZAC PURTON. Well he was representing Hong Kong, but we will claim him and the victory!
The LONGINES Hong Kong International races concludes on Sunday with the running of the feature events: The Hong Kong Vase. The Hong Kong Sprint. The Hong Kong Mile. The Hong Kong Cup.
Sensational developments have occurred in the past few days after Belgian Christophe Soumillon was not cleared by Hong Kong government officials to leave quarantine and participate in the meeting. Soumillion had a full book of rides on the program and has had to be replaced on all rides. Soumillon was booked for Group One rides on Admire Mars, Ho Ho Khan, Normcore and Computer Patch. Ryan Moore will now be aboard Admire Mars, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu gets Ho Ho Khan, Zac Purton jumps on Normcore and Alexis Badel secures the sit on Computer Patch.
Soumillon has been licensed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club to continue riding until 14 February 2021. Whilst it appears a minor setback, I am certain that he will make a huge impact on racing in Hong Kong once he gets in the saddle!
Sunday meeting features a ten-race program – let us get into it!
Race 1
A Class 3 race to start off the program – over 1200 metres.
Looks like Joao “The Magic Man” Moriera has a nice mount here to start off the day with the Frankie Lor trained Winning Brew (11). Just look at the name – part of my name WINNO – and a BREW – what a wonderful combination! This runner is second up here and he has won previously second up. He looks well placed and should get the run of the race a few pairs back and be too good for the opposition.
Sunset Watch (2) is one to keep your eye on here. This runner will now be ridden by Vincent Ho for trainer K Lui. I am suggesting you overlook the recent run at Happy Valley where he just did not seem to get into the race the way it was run. Sometimes horses are the victim of circumstances at this track and I believe that this was the case with this runner. He likes to get back and sprint home. With some speed in this race he seems the logical runner to be flashing late.
Take What You Need (12) is from the Douglas Whyte stables and will be ridden by Karis Teetan. This runner is fourth up now and I just think with the senior rider going back on this weekend there may be a sharp improvement to his chances here.
Selections:
11 – Winning Brew
2 – Sunset Watch
12 – Take What You Need
5 – Transcendent
Rough chance – (6) Master Montaro
Race 2
1400 metres at Class 4 – tough field this one.
Vincent Ho is aboard Authentic Champ (5) trained by Jimmy Ting. He broke his maiden win here last start on 1 November over this distance. He looked extraordinarily strong on that occasion. His normal pattern of racing is to settle and come home. The time and sectionals were strong in that win – a repeat of that effort should see him right in this race. A recent barrier trial has him ready.
Frankie Lor combines with the 2020 LONGINES Jockeys Championship winner Zac Purton here with Joyful Heart (1). Last start he stepped up to 1800 metres and for mine did not handle the journey. With a slight freshen up and now dropping back to the more suitable distance of 1400 metres he looks well placed here. The other factor that draws my attention to this runner is that Purton has ridden him to two wins previously.
Charity Grace (9) steps out with Alexis Badel aboard. He has been riding in wonderful form in recent meetings. This runner has had two runs over 1200 metres. To be fair it looks like he wants further after reviewing each of those efforts. Simple – he runs the distance he could win this race.
Stunning Impact (12) has Karis Teetan in the saddle for Paul O’Sullivan. This runner has had his races spaced apart this preparation. His latest effort over 1400 metres is worthy of considering him for a place here.
Selections:
5 – Authentic Champ
1 – Joyful Heart
9 – Charity Grace
12 – Stunning Impact
Rough chance – (2) Nordic Warrior (7) The Best Hero
Race 3
A race over 1800 metres – this time at the Class 3 level.
I really like my top four selections here to fill the placings – box them up for a good result punters!
Beauty Angel is trained by Tony Cruz and will be ridden by Purton this weekend. He won last start here over the track and distance in a nice time. Goes up in weight by 3 kilograms for that effort – maybe that is the only concern late here as he will jump from barrier 1 and I expect him to take up the running or sit in behind anything that wants to lead. That probably exposes him late to anything flashing home.
The horse that may be the one coming home late is Chevalier Prince (11) trained by Frankie Lor and partnered by Joao Moreira. He won last start over the mile – finishing off the race with some strong sectionals. He will settle and be ridden the same way and gives me the impression that the 1800 metres will be no drama!
Awe (9) finished off strongly last start when defeated by Chevalier Prince (11) – he meets that runner 3 kilograms better for that defeat. Tom Marquand to ride – strong rider and fourth up this preparation – a few ticks in the boxes here for this runner.
Natural Storm (13) was gallant in defeat when beaten by Beauty Angel (10) last start. Meets him 2 kilograms better for that defeat. Drawn nicely in barrier 3 this weekend – he will race in behind the speed like Beauty Angel (10). Maybe he can turn the tables on him this weekend – I said MAYBE!
Selections:
10 – Beauty Angel
11 – Chevalier Prince
9 – Awe
13 – Natural Storm
Rough chance – (1) Arrogant
Race 4 LONGINES HONG KONG VASE
The first leg of our International feature races on the program - The 2020 LONGINES HONG KONG VASE – only a small field of 7 runners.
I think it is a race where Hong Kong versus Britain.
In the red corner is Exultant (1) from Hong Kong and in the blue corner is Mogul (7) from Britain.
A great quinella for mine!
I am sticking with the locally trained Exultant (1) to win this feature for the second consecutive year! Tony Cruz and Zac Purton will have tactics to ride him forward – no pressure and dictate the tempo of the race. This weekend there is no Furore stalking him in the running and going past him late.
Mogul (7) comes from Great Britain with some solid form - trained by Aidan O’Brien, he will be ridden by Ryan Moore. His last start win at Longchamp in the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris was solid enough to suggest that he will be incredibly competitive. He then went to USA and raced in the Breeder’s Cup (Group 1) and put in a sterling effort. His work has been great since arriving in Hong Kong and he looks to have settled in nicely. O’Brien has a tremendous record here in Hong Kong and he does not travel these horses to these feature events unless he thinks he has a competitive chance to win.
Selections:
1 – Exultant
7 – Mogul
4 – Columbus County
2 – Chefano
Race 5 LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT
The second leg of our International races on the program – I just love this race each year!
There is some real speed in the race this year – look for them to run a low 1.08 or even break 1.07 for the race.
I suppose I should just start with the Aussie runner now trained by Casper Fownes – Classique Legend (1). Drama has surrounded his recent barrier trial. Has he travelled well? Will he run well? These questions will all be answered on the weekend. I am going to go out on a limb and say he cannot win this feature race! There you go – call me UN-Australian – call me an idiot! I just think that his track work just has not been good enough to win a race that will have pressure on. In saying that he will get the perfect circumstances and conditions to finish off strongly late as, like I have said, there is an abundance of speed engaged in the race this year. Fownes is a master-trainer, and I am certain that he will have him at his very best come Sunday – Vincent Ho – a great masterful jockey – rides so he has some positive points.
Hot King Prawn (2) posted a solid win in the J.C Sprint (Group 2) back on 22 November in preparation for this race.
The time was good and the sectionals were superb. He has drawn nicely and will sit in behind the speed and bide his time before unleashing that customary burst of speed late to finish them off – well that is the way I see it. John Size is a master trainer and has his sprinters always up to the mark on International Race Day – The Magic Man – Joao Moreira to ride. This runner looks ideally placed this weekend. Seriously who does not love a HOT PRAWN – get home you good thing!
In saying that there a plenty of other runners that rate a mention here.
Voyage Warrior (4) was finishing off strongly behind Hot King Prawn (2) last start. Not sure if he can run the times I have mentioned to win the race – but on that effort must be kept safe.
Danon Smash (5) is the Japanese runner who has been performing well in Japan at Group 1 and Group 2 level. Ryan Moore has been booked to ride. He went around in this race last year and did perform well. Maybe coming back for the second time the trainer has learnt some lessons and he may go better this year.
Selections:
2 – Hot King Prawn
1 – Classique Legend
5 – Danon Smash
4 – Voyage Warrior
Rough chance – (12) Amazing Star
Race 6
Just a short break here between our feature races.
I am torn between two runners here – I think you should back them both!
Super Football is trained by Jimmy Ting and will be ridden by Zac Purton. This runner made his debut here three weeks ago and settled back before launching home in some wonderful sections over the final stages in a 1200 metre race. This weekend he steps up to 1400 metres and I expect this distance will see the best of him. It is the big day of racing in Hong Kong, but I think this runner will get better as the races get longer.
The other runner I like is Lucky Patch (5) who will be ridden by Alexis Badel. He resumed with a strong effort over 1200 metres and then stepped up to 1400 metres. That effort seemed to tell on him late. He will strip fitter for that effort, and I expect he will take a tonne of beating in this race.
True Legend (12) has drawn too wide for mine this week in barrier 14. He likes to roll along in front – if he can get across without using too much petrol this Frankie Lor runner may run into a placing.
Heza Beauty (1) has solid form here over the 1400 metres. John Size always gets a winner on this big day. He looks well placed despite the large weight here. All career wins have been over 1400 metres – Neil Callan to ride.
Selections:
7 – Super Football
5 – Lucky Patch
12 – True Legend
1 – Heza Beauty
Rough chance – (10) Pure Legend
Race 7 LONGINES HONG KONG MILE
The third leg of our International races on the program.
A special day for Hong Kong in my opinion – possibly the changing of the guard with Beauty Generation (1) who has dominated this race in 2017 and 2018 before Admire Mars (3) spoilt the party in 2019.
This year the new heir apparent Golden Sixty (2) fronts up and looks unbeatable. 14 career starts and 13 wins. Trained by K Lui and to be ridden by Vincent Ho, he is only a five-year-old and he could win this race more than once if they keep him sound for a few years to come. He has just kept going from strength to strength and should win this feature race unless misfortune strikes, and he gets held up amongst some slow ones.
Ka Ying Star (4) is the only other runner I can see spoiling the party.
Admire Mars (3) is the Japanese runner who returns to defend his 2019 crown – this year Ryan Moore will partner him after the quarantine issues for jockey Christophe Soumillon. He loves the mile and he looks well placed again this year, but they are saying his track work has not been as striking as it was last year – but one thing is for sure the Japanese seem to get them ready to peak on race day!
Selections:
2 – Golden Sixty
7 – Ka Ying Star
3 – Admire Mars
1 – Beauty Generation
Race 8 LONGINES HONG KONG CUP
The final leg of our International races on the program - the 2020 HONG KONG CUP worth HK$28 million.
Only a small field of eight but there is some talent here.
Can Hong Kong claim all four feature races this year?
The defending champion is Win Bright (3) who will retire after the race regardless of the result here. His 2000m course record at Sha Tin still stands at 1m 58.81s, and jockey Matsuoka, who partnered him to both of his headline making exploits in Hong Kong, will take the reins again for Sunday’s test. His form leading into the race has been poor as it has been each time he has won here.
As I said the Japanese just seem to get them to peak on the day – he could spoil the straight sets win to Hong Kong!
Furore (4) is trained here by Tony Cruz and to be ridden by Joao Moreira. His run last start here in the Group 2 J.C. Cup was awesome and he ran some sensational time. If he goes that well again here, then he will be hard to hold out.
Aidan O’Brien brings Magical (7) via the Breeders Cup (USA) Group 1 to Hong Kong to try to claim victory with Ryan Moore to partner her here again. She is short in the markets posted already. She has travelled well – is working well – so I can understand the Irish confidence – and Europe’s for that matter in winning a race finally in Hong Kong after many years of outs.
The race is evenly poised – I am staying with the local runner and some “magic” from Moreira to get Furore home!
Selections:
4 – Furore
7 – Magical
3 – Win Bright
1 – Skalleti
Race 9
Well, the big races are all over – now it is time to get into the final two races and grab some more cash!
There are a few here that will push forward once the barriers open.
Frankie Lor has a nice one here that is five from five in his racing career – appropriately named as well – Winning Dreamer (3). He will be ridden by Vincent Ho. I just think as much as he is brilliant, he may be exposed this weekend and could be taken on in front and that may be to his detriment. I will not be backing him – I will be looking at something to roll him – he will be a short, priced favourite. He has been lumbered with a fair bit if weight and the horses he has beaten recently meet him much better at the weights.
Sky Field (6) is a Casper Fownes trained runner. He was out of luck at Happy Valley one Wednesday night at a track that he normally has good success – maybe he can salvage something here in this race when Joao Moreira rides this one for the stable. I can see this runner sitting three pairs back in behind the speed and then being brought out to finish off strongly to nail them on the post – I think he will be well supported as well.
Duke Wai (1) is third up here and showed that his fitness keeps improving with each run last time when he was beaten by Winning Dreamer (3) by 1.5 lengths – he meets that runner 3 kilograms better for that defeat. That is what I mean about the weight here for the favourite. Paul O’Sullivan and Karis Teetan look to unite and win with him.
Now here is some trivia – last year when there was no COVID-19 around – this horse won on this day and WINNO declared him! The horse is Beauty Applause (10). He is drawn well in barrier 2 – loves to roll forward and will be prominent in the running. He gets in super at the weights as well with 53.5 kilograms. He looks a wonderful chance at odds to cause a massive upset here – John Size trains this one and V Borges will ride him,
Selections:
6 – Sky Field
3 – Winning Dreamer
1 – Duke Wai
10 – Beauty Applause
Rough chance – (5) California Rad
Race 10
We are at the final race on this prestigious race day for the Hong Kong Jockey Club and their major sponsor – LONGINES.
The last race is over the mile.
Looks like we get so see Zac Purton go head-to-head with Joao Moreira again with both having solid chances here.
Shadow Hero (5) is trained by David Hayes after being sold to Hong Kong. His debut effort was great behind Enrich Delight (4) when narrowly defeated over 1400 metres. He will strip fitter and meets that runner three kilograms better for that defeat. I think he can turn the tables on him as the distance will suit him second up.
Joao Moreira will be aboard Enrich Delight (4) for Caspar Fownes (he could win the last two races). This runner is also an ex-Australian runner that won on debut here impressively. Goes up in weight – just not sure if he will be good enough to win second up.
Preciousship (1) drops back from Class 1 grade to Class 2. Sure, he goes up in weight, but this P Yiu runner to be ridden by Matthew Chadwick loves the mile here at Sha Tin. With the speed on this runner should get a nice trail into the race.
Circuit Three (12) is down in the weights – second up here and I think will appreciate the extra distance – keep safe.
Selections:
5 – Shadow Hero
4 – Enrich Delight
1 – Preciousship
9 – Tuurbillon Diamond
Rough chance (12) Circuit Three
_____________________________________________________________________
Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)
9,10,11,13 / 1,7 / 1,2,4,5 / 1,5,7,12 - cost is $128 to $1
Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)
10,11 / 1,7 / 1,2 / 1,5,7 - cost is $24 to $1
Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
2,3,7 / 3,4,7 / 1,3,6,10 / 1,4,5,12 - cost is $144 to $1
Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)
2 / 4,7 / 1,3,6 / 4,5 - cost is $12 to $1
Treble (races 8 to 10)
3,4,7 / 1,3,6,10 / 1,4,5,12 - cost is $48 to $1
WINNO V CAMPO
I will see if resident Hong Kong man Adam Campton puts his selections up on his Facebook. If he does, I think I may just have to take him on! Take note of his tips as he normally is not too far off the mark – plus he has the local knowledge with WINNO stuck in Queensland! I will post our selections and any late mail on Facebook on race-day.
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