THE BIG PREVIEW - WINNO'S WINNERS - THE LONGINES HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL RACES - SHA TIN - DEC 11

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, December 10, 2022

LONGINES HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL RACE DAY 2022

The LONGINES Hong Kong International Racing, set down for this Sunday, December 11, is the culmination of premier racing by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 2022.

The stage is set for a wonderful day of racing after the Gala Dinner to crown the LONGINES World Best Jockey – James McDonald was held on Friday night.

The track is rated good. The rail in true position – the track has never looked better – look out for some fast times and maybe some track records!

The race meeting has an incredibly competitive ten race program.

HK$110 million in prizemoney for the feature races.

The feature races are:

The LONGINES Hong Kong Vase – race 4 of the program (HK$22 million prizemoney)
The LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint – race 5 (HK$24 million prizemoney)
The LONGINES Hong Kong Mile – race 7 (HK$30 million prizemoney)
The LONGINES Hong Kong Cup – race 8 (HK$34 million prizemoney)

What country will take the honours in 2022? You would think the battle is between the Hong Kong locals and the Japanese contingent that have launched an all-out assault on the race meeting in 2022.

Race 1

A Class 4 over 1400 metres.

Zac Purton will ride the top weight here – Circuit Mighty (1) who won at the track and distance last time out. Has a massive weight to contend with and I just think that the weight may be a telling factor late.

Tony Cruz trains Perfect Peach (9) who will have the services of Lyle Hewiston. This runner has drawn terrible in his past two starts and there have been genuine excuses. This weekend he has drawn the rails and I expect him to jump cleanly and sit in behind the speed and be difficult to beat.

Adefill (12) sees Karis Teetan back in the saddle for trainer P Yiu. Another one down in the weights and nicely drawn off a month freshen up – keep safe.

Commanding Missile has the claim for Jerry Chau and is trained by Jamie Richards. He is third up this weekend and did find trouble last time out – the distance is perfect for him and if he can overcome the wide barrier and get in somewhere he could be a winning chance.

The first starter Master of Fortune (8) has been trialling and working well – it may pay to keep your eye on this one for any market moves come race day. Derek Leung will ride.

Selections:

9 – Perfect Peach
12 – Adefill
1 – Mighty Circuit
6 – Commanding Missile
Rough chances – (8) Master of Fortune

Race 2

Class 4 over 1200 metres – named after the Australian sprinter – The Danny Bougoure trained Falvelon!

This is a tough race to assess as several of these runners are first starters in Hong Kong and have been trialling well in preparation for their local race debut.

I have stayed with the exposed form of Mighty Stride (2) who won on debut in nice style and in good time – trained by P Yiu and will be ridden by visiting jockey Christophe Lemaire. He does go up in weight for that win, but he looks well placed. I am certain that there will be an avalanche of money for several of these other first starters. They hold the key to the race.

Eagle Run (6) is trained by Douglas Whyte – Karis Teetan will ride. Won a recent trial here and he has barrier 1.

Nicetobemet (8) is trained by Frankie Lor and Zac Purton will ride him – his trials have all been solid. Barrier 10 of some concern, however, I expect that he will be placed midfield and be working home late.

Hoss (7) is a Jamie Richards runner with Lyle Hewitson aboard. Made a nice debut run here at the track and distance on November 20. He is the improver in the race – keep safe.

Some rough chances to Snowalot (14) from the David Hayes yard with Luke Currie to ride ... he has had a freshen up and a trial win and could cause an upset ... while Blake Shinn will ride Regency Bo Bo (3) if he can find his passport and make it to Hong Kong in time.

Selections:

2 – Mighty Stride
6 – Eagle Run
8 – Nicetobemet
7 – Hoss
Rough chances – (14) Snowalot & (3) Regency Bo Bo

Race 3

Class 3 over 1200 metres – named after the Japanese sprinting sensation Lord Kanaloa that I was fortunate to see win in 2012 and 2013 – an amazing sprinter.

There are a couple that will go fast here and maybe set it up for a swooper.

Victor The Winner (4) is one of them that will be speedy out of the gates and run along – is trained by Danny Shum and the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey James McDonald will be aboard. He rode him here last time to victory.

He has had three starts in Hong Kong for two wins – an impressive record – must contend with a wide barrier and a huge weight this weekend and that could see him come back to the field.

The other likely leader is the Douglas Whyte trained – Dragon’s Luck (14) who has drawn badly in barrier 13 and goes up in grade – however, drops in weight. Lyle Hewiston will ride him again. Tactics will play a huge factor in the result of this race.

I am going for Dragon’s Luck to topple the favourite – I just think that the drop in weight and the ability to clear the gates cleanly and get across early and take a sit should see him hard to run down late.

Science Patch (9) loves this distance – all four career wins have been at 1200 metres. Silvestre De Sousa will ride him again for Pierre Ng – again drawn off the track in barrier 12, however, he normally races midfield, so this should not bother him.

Ready To Win (6) from the Frankie Lor yards with Derek Leung aboard could be one at odds to pop up. Has been racing consistently and, drawn well in barrier 3, could just sit in behind the speed.

Keep your eye on Wonder Kit (13) who won two races in Queensland prior to be sold to Hong Kong. He was trained on the Gold Coast by Les Kelly. He makes his debut here with Vincent Ho in the saddle. The trials have been nothing to brag about – but he may just show something come race day – I do note that both his wins in Australia were on wet tracks.

Selections:

14 – Dragon’s Luck
4 – Victor The Winner
9 – Science Patch
6 – Ready To Win
Rough chances – (13) Wonder Kit

Race 4 The LONGINES HONG KONG VASE

The first of our Group 1 feature races worth HK$22 million.

I have been at track work every day this week. I can say there has been no better track workers than my two on top selections.

Glory Vase (3) to be ridden by Joao Moreira is set an enormous task of winning this race for consecutive years – however, he has not raced since winning this race last year. Despite being a seven-year-old his Group 1 statistics leave the opposition in shame – 7 Group 1 starts – 2 wins (both in this race in 2019 & 2021) and two seconds. He has looked superb every morning in his work – his Thursday work was some of the best of the week.

The other Japanese horse is Win Marilyn (9) trained by Takahisa Tezuka and will be ridden by Aussie Damian Lane who has had some enormous successes in Japan in recent weeks. She struck a soft track last time out – that may have been to her detriment. A firm surface is more her go and she will be right in this race. She is second up, and her work has been great.

The Aidan O’Brien three-year-old Stone Age (10) has been another superstar each morning at track work. Ryan Moore will ride him. This combination has won this race in 2015 & 2017 (Highland Reel) and again in 2020 with the exciting three-year-old Mogul. On his work he must be included in your top three selections. The stable is confident, and O’Brien has a knack in bringing an up and coming three-year-old to this race each year where they perform exceptionally.

Botanik (5) is a French four-year-old – difficult to align his form. But his work has been fabulous at Sha Tin and the French media contingent are talking up his chances.

Selections:

3 – Glory Vase
10 – Stone Age
9 – Win Marilyn
5 – Botanik

Race 5 The LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT

The sprint – at Group 1 level worth HK$24 million. The field is incredibly open this year.

The big question is on the local sprinter proven at Group 1 level, Wellington (1), who pulled up lame last start. He is better than that run suggests. Not too certain on how he fronts up here on a firm track at Sha Tin. Trainer Richard Gibson has given him a seven week freshen up and Ryan Moore will ride him.

The horse that beat him last time out is Lucky Sweynesse (4) trained by Manfred Man and Zac Purton rode him. They combine here again in the feature sprint. This is his first look at Group 1 level – I just think that he is six months away from his best and may be better next preparation or come April in the Chairman’s Sprint – happy to be proven wrong.

So, now that I have concerns over the local runners. Where do I go?

Lim’s Kosciusko (8) has been quietly working and going through the motions with Danny Beasley aboard. He trained in Singapore by Dan Meagher. The work has been excellent – they have been happy with his preparation, and he comes here undefeated in two Group 1 outings – he must be respected. The barrier draw is great, and the horse is in superb order leading into the race.

I keep coming back to another Japanese runner – Gendarme (3). Ireally cannot get a handle on him – his track work has been solid without being anything to stand out. He has won at Group 1 level – Damian Lane will ride him, and he can run time. The other thing that I think is in his favour is that this track will be rock hard – he thrives on firm surfaces – drawn barrier 8 he should sit midfield and could cause a major upset in this 2022 edition of the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint.

The other Japanese runner Meikei Yell (13) has drawn poorly. However, his work at the track has been first class and James McDonald has been quite bullish about his chances in winning the race. One to keep in your exotic bets – he is a huge price.

Selections:

3 – Gendarme
1 – Wellington
4 – Lucky Sweynesse
8 – Lim’s Kosciusko
Rough chances – (13) Meikei Yell

Race 6

Class 3 over 1800 metres.

Sweet Encounter (3) is trained by John Size – Zac Purton will ride. Won well last start over the mile – steps up in distance and it does not appear that the extra 200 metres will trouble him. A little extra weight but looks well placed in this event.

Woodfire Bro (4) is trained by P Ho and Derek Leung will ride him. He won impressively last start here over 2000 metres. Look, I just think if Sweet Encounter (3) struggles with the increased weight this may be the runner strong at the line. It certainly will be better value – take a quinella with the two of them.

Secret Mission (6) finished behind Woodfire Bro (4) last time out. He did not run out the 2000 metres. Back in distance this may suit him better. Trained by Danny Shum and James McDonald will ride.

SJ Tourbillon (2) has been in and out of sorts since winning here three starts ago. He has a heap of gear changes to try and get him back into the winner’s stalls – Blake Shinn will ride.

Champion Dragon (1) looks the leader and with the claim for apprentice Alfred Chan he may just keep going late and run them into the ground – keep this runner safe. He will have to start well and get across from barrier 14, however if he can slow them up – he may just get away with the race.

Selections:

3 – Sweet Encounter
4 – Woodfire Bro
6 – Secret Mission
2 – S J Tourbillon

Rough chances – (1) Champion Dragon

Race 7 – The LONGINES HONG KONG MILE

All the talk is about the Hong Kong Champion – Golden Sixty (1). Can he break more records and win this race for the third consecutive time. As Zac Purton said to me “only bad luck will beat him.” Vincent Ho said, “he was only 80% fit when he won first up”. With any luck he will be creating more Hong Kong racing history and breaking many records if he can win the race.

Zac Purton will be doing everything possible to upset the champion riding California Spangle (2). He is drawn well, and he looks the only significant threat to the champion.

The Japanese runners all look to have genuine chances – the three-year-old Danon Scorpion (10) is an impressive animal at the track. He may just have settled in well enough here to run the race of his life. William Buick will ride him.

The other Japanese runners that have been working well and must be respected are – Schnell Meister (4) and Salios (3), who ran third to Golden Sixty in this race last year.

Selections:

1 – Golden Sixty
2 – California Spangle
10 – Danon Scorpion
4 – Schnell Meister

Race 8 – The LONGINES HONG KONG CUP

The Hong Kong Cup – worth HK$19.38 million to the winner – a total of HK$34 million on offer.

The last of our feature races.

The local horse Romantic Warrior (2) trained by Danny Shum and James McDonald to ride again is in a genuine chance. Just one proviso – he did have a set-back prior to resuming and he did have to work hard to win that race. He hopefully will not be flat here this weekend and be struggling late. The opposition he is meeting are excellent quality horses.

The Japanese horses have been working the place down the past week. Danon The Kid (6) who is third up coming into this race will be storming home late and his fellow Japanese trained runner Panthalassa (1) will be going along at a solid pace in front and making sure the race has plenty of speed and pressure in it. With that in mind and the small field I expect that jockey Yuichi Kitimura will scout wide and sprint at them late on the crown of the Sha Tin track – can he time his run to get the job done for Japan? We will see Sunday!

The other Japanese runner that I have been impressed all week with at the track is the three-year-old Geoglygh (11). He is only lightly raced with six starts under his belt. He is much the same as his country mate – Danon The Kid (6).He needs the tempo to be solid, and he will be working home late as well. They are both great chances and represent excellent value.

As discussed, the leader will be Panthalassa (1) – another Japanese runner. He is extremely tough and dour, winning in Dubai and has had one run to get him ready for this race. He has an exceptional second up record – six starts - 2 wins and 4 seconds - he will be in this for a long way.

Selections:

6 – Danon The Kid
11 – Geoglyph
2 – Romantic Warrior
1 – Panthalassa
Rough chances – (7) Tourbillon Diamond

Race 9

I like Golden Express (10), an ex-Australian runner who had no luck on debut at Sha Tin. Purton found himself in all sorts of trouble in the straight and when he finally got out – flew home and still got up. He is trained by John Size and I expect that he will be right in this race. However, there is a substantial depth to this race – so he will want to be good second up to get the job done. The odds are maybe skinny as well about this one.

Super Sunny Sing (12) has been racing in Class 4 grade and steps up to Class 3. He drops down in the weights with the class rise – however, he has a strong finish and Matthew Chadwick will have him balanced and flying home in the straight at some huge odds!

P Yiu trains Voyage Bubble (6) who has been drawn off the track in both of his last two starts and still been able to put in credible efforts – one included a win. Joao Moreira will be riding this one. I would assume that he would like to wave the whip to the crowd one final time at Sha Tin prior to departing Hong Kong racing – this may well be the runner that gives him that opportunity. He has drawn well in barrier 3 to race handy enough to lead this field.

Golden Empire (8) will be ridden by Vincent Ho and is trained by Francis Lui. Can they combine to win two races on this program? He ran a solid third last time out and I think that he will be better for that run. The 1400 metres is his best distance – he will be right in this for a long way.

Rough chances to Phoenix Light (9) and Charity Grace (2).

Selections:

10 – Golden Express
12 – Super Sunny Sing
6 – Voyage Bubble
8 – Golden Empire
Rough chances – (9) Phoenix Light (2) Charity Grace

Race 10

By now I will be tired and ready for a sleep. A massive day at Sha Tin – ten races – of amazing quality and depth.

A class 2 race over the 1400 metres to finish us off.

It is an even bunch to face the starter here.

Ryan Moore will ride Blaze Warrior (3) for John Size. He comes back from a Class 1 grade race to the Class 2. He was strong to the line last start over 1400 metres and posted a solid time when running a gallant second.

That run was a month ago. Since then he has had a barrier trial where he was not asked to do too much. He is undefeated second up – two starts for two wins. He has drawn barrier 11 that should see him get across and race midfield. There is serious speed in this race – he should get carted into the race late nicely.

Ima Single Man (5) is trained by Tony Cruz and Karis Teetan will ride. He has been smashed in his last two starts and just been able to place. He has drawn well in barrier 4. Look for another bold showing – they will back him again – that should see you get a price about any other runner you fancy in this race.

The stable mate is Circuit Stella (8) with Matthew Chadwick aboard. He put in a solid effort at Class 1 grade last time out with a solid third placing over 1400 metres here a month ago. A nice hit out in a recent trial – he looks well placed and has a nice barrier – just hoping he does not engage in the early speed battle. That could be to his detriment.

Beauty Live (10) will be the final ride in Hong Kong for Joao Moreira. This five-year-old gelding is trained by Frankie Lor and has an exceptional record at the 1400 metres here with 7 starts for 4 wins and a placing. He is a month between runs, however, in saying that he is undefeated second up. He has posted all four career wins at this track and distance. The fast speed will suit him as he will be back towards the rear of the field – Moreira will need to work some of his “Magic” to get the win – but this could be the fairy tale ending to a wonderful nine-year career riding in Hong Kong – what a way it would be to go out!

Rough chances to King Land (12) with Jye McNeil aboard. Lucky With You (2) will race well too.

Zac Purton and David Hayes combine with the last start winner Oriental Smoke (9) who must run the 1400 metres for the first time. At first, I thought he may not get the 1400 metres – but with the speed on in the race and the way he races throughout his career, he gets the chance to sit and sprint and this may just see him finish over them strong late.

Selections:

3 – Blaze Warrior
8 – Circuit Stella
5 – Ima Single Man
10 – Beauty Live
Rough chances – (12) King Land (2) Lucky With You (9) Oriental Smoke
______________________________________________________________________

Jockeys Challenge

Zac Purton simple – over and out!

Exotics

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

1,2 / 1,2,6,11 / 6,8,10,12 / 3,5,8,9,10 - cost is $160 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

1 / 6,11 / 6,10,12 / 3,5,8,10 - cost is $24 to $1

Treble (races 8 to 10)

1,2,6,11 / 6,8,10,12 / 3,5,8,9,10 - cost is $80 to $1

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