WINNO'S WINNERS: THE LONGINES HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL RACES 2021: SHA TIN, DECEMBER 12

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, December 11, 2021

THE LONGINES INTERNATIONAL RACES 2021

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 Longines Hong Kong Vase – race 4 of the program (HK$20 million prizemoney)
The Longines Hong Kong Sprint – race 5 (HK$24 million prizemoney)
The Longines Hong Kong Mile – race 7 (HK$26 million prizemoney)
The Longines Hong Kong Cup – race 8 (HK$30 million prizemoney)

Sunday’s meeting features a ten-race program – let’s get into it!
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Race 1

A Class 2 race to start off the program – over 1600 metres.

Looks like Joao “The Magic Man” Moreira has a nice mount here to start off the day with the John Size trained Master Delight (3). He won last start out here in Class 3 grade in good time. He does step up in grade but goes down in weight. The sectionals out of the last race were very good. The small field will permit Moreira to ride him quiet. Should be too good late for them with the light weight.

Fast Most Furious (1) drops back from Class 1 to Class 2 here. Has some solid efforts under his belt with some good times as well. He will carry the weight and Zac Purton will ride for David Hall.

I am sure we will see Moreira V Purton across a few races today – why not start in the first.

If you like to play a little wider the three-year-old in the field Cobhfield (8) is not without some chance. Karis Teetan has been out with an injury – however, did forgo rides at Happy Valley to save himself for this meeting. This runner is not without a rough chance on his recent efforts.

Selections:

3 – Master Delight
1 – Fast Most Furious
8 – Cobhfield
7 – All For Saint Paul’s

Race 2

A 1400 metres contest at Class 4 – tough field this one. The race is named after the Hong Kong Champion – Beauty Generation! WINNO would claim he is the NUMBER 1 fan and Chairman of his fan club in Australia.

David Hall combines with the 2021 LONGINES Jockeys Championship winner Zac Purton here with Good Runner (6). Last start he stepped out at 1200 metres and settled near the rear of the field before unleashing out wide and storming home when beaten less than one length. That was his first run up from a spell. This weekend the extra 200 metres should play right into his hands. I just hope he gets a clear run at them.

HK Dragon (8) is trained by Hong Kong champion jockey Douglas Whyte. Blake Shinn will ride again this weekend. He is third up now and I think that on his last effort at the track and distance he looks well placed.

Moonluck (13) is third up here. Is trained by K Lui and will be ridden by Ruan Maia. Last time out drew wide and went back and the had some good sectionals finishing off the race superbly. He will probably go back again from barrier 13, but I think the speed will suit him and enable him to finish strong.

Romantic Trove (12) is third up as well. I think he will be suited with the solid speed on in this race. Matthew Chadwick will ride.

Selections:

6 – Good Runner
8 – HK Dragon
13 – Moonluck
12 – Romantic Trove

Race 3

A race over 1800 metres – this time at the Class 3 level.

Christophe Soumillon will ride Champion Dragon (5) here for Tony Cruz. This runner is having his second start in Hong Kong. The first up effort was good over a mile, and he was working home nicely. His previous form in England would suggest that he will get better over distance I am backing that this weekend he will improve dramatically.

Tempest Express (2) is trained by John Size and Zac Purton will ride. Third up here this weekend and I think is looking for the extra distance the way he has been racing the past few runs.

Entrusted (3) will be ridden by Alexis Badel. He drops back from 2000 metres where he won last start to the shorter distance. He races back in the field and must rely on genuine speed in his races to get home. Not sure if he will get those conditions in this race – the tempo looks to be medium – so he may need some luck late.

Despite the huge weight Charity Go (1) will race well here. He drops back from Class 2 to Class 3 – Ryan Moore will ride – keep safe.
Selections:

5 – Champion Dragon
2 – Tempest Express
3 – Entrusted
1 – Charity Go
Rough chance – (8) Helene Allibor

Race 4 LONGINES HONG KONG VASE

The first leg of our International feature races on the program.

The 2021 LONGINES HONG KONG VASE.

Only a small field of 8 runners.

I think it is a race between Japan versus Britain.

Another odd fact is we have the 2019 winner in Glory Vase (2) going up against the defending champion from 2020 – Mogul (5).

Glory Vase (2) raced here back on FWD Champions Day when he finished second – Joao Moriera remains loyal to this runner. I am thinking that he may be past his best now at seven, however, these Japanese trainers seem to get them to peak on this day each year.

Mogul (5) comes from Great Britain with some solid form. Trained by Aidan O’Brien and will be ridden by Ryan Moore. His last start he finished tailed off behind Pyledriver (1). I am not certain that he can reclaim the form that saw him win this race in 2020. 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 doesn’t travel these horses to these feature events unless he thinks he has a competitive chance to win.

Alain De Royer-Dupre trains Ebaiyra (8). Has some solid form leading into this race and will be ridden by regular rider Christophe Soumillon. This runner has settled in, and his work has been impeccable all week in the lead up to this race – I think he is a genuine knockout chance.

I keep coming back to Pyledriver (1) trained by William Muir and to be ridden by regular rider Martin Dwyer – who will be having his first look at the Sha Tin track. His form has been consistent in Class 1 races – he does step up to Group 1 here this weekend – maybe he can cause an upset at decent odds in this small field.

So possibly the first race to a Europe based runner!

Selections:

1 – Pyledriver
8 – Ebaiyra
2 – Glory Vase
5 – Mogul

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 this year.

The Hong Kong sprinters have a hometown advantage here for mine. Lucky Patch (5) is trained by K Lui and will be ridden by Zac Purton. He has won his past two starts here in Group 2 class. His times and his sectionals have been very good and that would suggest that he is right in this race. He has never won a Group 1 race – oddly he did win a Class 3 race on this program on this day last year over 1400 metres.

Pixie Knight (2) is the Japanese runner – the new talent in town. He resumed and won in sensational time in Japan – will be ridden by his regular rider Yuichi Fukunaga here in this big race. I am punting that the occasion will get the better of them and that the journey here may have just taken the edge off this runner – that will give the local sprinters an advantage. On the flip side his work since arriving in Hong Kong is splendid.

The defending champion is Danon Smash (3) – he finished behind Pixie Knight (2) first up. I think that he maybe past his best – however, in saying that, the Japanese have a tremendous record in this race. He must not be under rated.

The other local horse that has been racing well is Wellington (4) – trained by Richard Gibson and Alexis Badel will ride. This horse was successful on FWD Champion race day back in April this year. Six wins at this distance and seven wins at this track point to him being a contender. He won a recent barrier trial to just tighten him up for this race.

Naboo Attack (8) is the ex-QLD runner which was trained by Steve Tregea – used to race as Command ‘N Conquer. Has had some great success since being sold to Hong Kong connections and racing here. Karis Teetan will ride – a rough chance.

Selections:

5 – Lucky Patch
2 – Pixie Knight
4 – Wellington
3 – Danon Smash
Rough chances – (8) Naboo Attack

Race 6

A class 2 race over 1200 metres.

Fantastic Way (6) is a John Size runner and Joao Moreira will ride him again. He has had a month between runs and has had two solid barrier trials to keep him kicking over for this race. Barrier 1 will be an advantage – well I hope it is – just hope that he doesn’t get caught behind some slow ones in the straight. His last start win was very good.

California Spangle (11) looks like he has some enormous potential. He has been working through his grades nicely and faces his stiffest test this weekend. Steps up from Class 3 to Class 2 however, goes down in the weight. He loves to lead and set up the race – weighted to lead and give them something to chase. Trained by Tony Cruz and will be ridden by Matthew Chadwick for the first time.

The stable mate California Rad (4) led last time out. I think he is better ridden off the speed and allowed to work into the race. Zac Purton will ride this weekend for Tony Cruz – he is drawn barrier 10, so I expect that he will be ridden quieter this weekend.

Trillion Win (1) has won his past three starts here. Is weighted up for this consistency and winning form. He always runs time when he wins – just some reservations with the weight.

Selections:

6 – Fantastic Way
11 – California Spangle
4 – California Rad
1 – Trillion Win

Race 7 LONGINES HONG KONG MILE

The third leg of our International races on the program.

This is easy - it is all about the Hong Kong Horse of the Year – the Hong Kong Champion – probably the best miler in the world – Golden Sixty (1). Just keeps winning – I don’t think they will beat him here either. Vincent Ho will be riding him yet again – another Group 1 winner for Ho!

It is all about the place getters – let me see if we can sort out the exotics and make some money.

The Hong Kong horses could fill the trifecta for mine.

Waikuku (4) ran second to Golden Sixty (1) last time out here. Sky Darci (8) ran third to Golden Sixty (1) last time out.

Excellent Proposal (9) steps up to Group 1 racing. A nice type trained by John Size and will be ridden by Blake Shinn. I think that he could run a place at huge odds - $61 on offer currently.

Danon Kingly (2) is the Japanese runner. I think his best distance is the mile and last time out he raced over 1800 metres in Japan. Back to the mile here where he has three career wins – expect an improved performance.

Selections:

1 – Golden Sixty
2 – Danon Kingly
4 – Waikuku
8 – Sky Darci
Rough chance – (9) Excellent Proposal

Race 8 LONGINES HONG KONG CUP

The last leg of our International races on the program – I just love this race each year!

I think it will be Japan 1- 2- and 3!

They have some tremendous representation in this race this year.

The favoured runner is Loves Only You (12) who won here on FWD Champions Day in April. Has resumed nicely with one win back in Japan. Has settled in well since arriving in Hong Kong and has been working well – yes, she is favourite and looks like a good thing – BUT there are other runners to consider.

Lei Papale (11) is the another Japanese runner and will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon – he has some nice rides on this program. This runner has had two runs back from a spell. Has been doing some genuine fast track work in Hong Kong. I think I questioned this training a few years ago and ended up with egg on my face when the Japanese horses came out and dominated the day! This mare is undefeated at the 2000 metres – with two career starts for two wins. I just like her chances and the strong rider Soumillon – if she looms and is any chance late watch him sit down and ride hard!

The other Japanese runner is Hishi Aguazu (4) to be ridden by local jockey Joao Moreira. He will need a magical ride to get this one home. Has a tremendous record at the trip with four starts for three wins. He has had one run since resuming and drew barrier 15. Forget that run - was given a terrible ride and had no luck in the running. Coming to Hong Kong and ridden better I expect he could get the job done.

Ryan Moore will ride Dubai Honour (8) for William Haggas – the British connection are looking for another win! Has some solid form over this distance and can settle or lead. I think that Moore will elect to let them go here and take a sit – he could be the one finishing off the race late.

Selections:

11 – Lei Papale
12 – Loves Only You
4 – Hishi Aguazu
8 – Dubai Honour

Race 9

A Class 3 race over 1200 metres. Some nice runners here with some ability.

I think I will go for some value here and tip the Caspar Fownes trained runner War Weapon (6) who will be ridden by Joao Moreira. Trialled up well before his run when resuming when he ran a second and seemed to peak on his run late. He has a very good barrier trial two weeks ago. He looks ideally placed here second up and has won second up.

Prime Minister (7) has Tom Marquand riding for P Yiu. Has drawn wide again in barrier 11, however, normally settles back in the field and can make ground late. His first up run was cracking, storming home late. I expect with the speed engaged in this race he will be belting home late again.

Excellent Daddy (4) will be ridden by Derek Leung and may show some improvement – should be some nice odds as well.

All In Mind (1) is dropping back in class from Class 2 to Class 3. Despite the huge weight he has been trialling well. I think he is more a Happy Valley horse - he has only one a single race here at Sha Tin – but normally finds a place.

Beauty Mission (10) is an ex-Gold Coast trained horse from the Michael Costa yards that raced as “Examples” in Australia. He was sold to Hong Kong after two wins in Australia. He has had two barrier trials – all have been average on paper and maybe he just needs some more time. He is down in the weights – Frankie Lor trained and has Alexis Badel to ride – maybe he could run a race.

Selections:

6 – War Weapon
7 – Prime Minister
4 – Excellent Daddy
1 – All In Mind
Rough chance – (10) Beauty Mission

Race 10

The last race on the day – I wish I was here!

Class 3 race over 1400 metres. The race has popped up a talented runner over the years.

Toronado Phantom (14) is trained by John Size and Joao Moreira will ride. These two are lethal when they combine. This runner resumed at Happy Valley over the mile. I think back to Sha Tin and back in distance and down in weight - he will run a bold race.

Sauvestre (5) is a Frankie Lor runner. He has booked Ryan Moore to ride. This runner was heavily backed last time out here over 1400 metres. Raced handy and then just couldn’t reel in the winner. Strips fitter now and has had a recent barrier trial.

Parterre (7) has drawn badly in barrier 14. I expect Karis Teetan to go back and ride for luck. With some serious speed in the race, he should be getting home late.

Lewis (8) resumed back in October and ran terrible – that run was over a mile. Since then, he has had some gear changes and two very good barrier trials. It could get the cash in the last race at a huge price.

Selections:

14 – Toronado Phantom
5 – Sauvestre
7 – Parterre
8 – Lewis
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Jockey’s Challenge

Looks like an easy win to Zac Purton. He was the champion jockey on Wednesday evening in the LONGINES International Jockeys Challenge and looks like he will have a solid day here!

Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6 only)

1,2,3,5 / 1,2,8 / 2,4,5 / 1,4,6,11 - cost is $144 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

2,3,5 / 1,8 / 2,4,5 / 6,11 - cost is $36 to $1

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

1,2 / 4,8,11,12 / 1,4,6,7 / 5,7,8,14 - cost is $128 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

1 / 4,11,12 / 4,6,7 / 5,7,14 - cost is $27 to $1

Treble (races 8 to 10)

4,8,11,12 / 1,4,6,7 / 5,7,8,14 - cost is $64 to $1

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