WINNO'S WINNERS: HONG KONG - FWD CHAMPION'S DAY

By Darren Winningham | Saturday, April 29, 2023

WINNO REPORTING FROM HONG KONG
FWD CHAMPIONS DAY 2023

SHA TIN RACES – Sunday APRIL 30, 2023

I think I can safely say there are no better facilities for all types of patrons in the world like Sha Tin offers to the racing fraternity.

The crowds bring spirit and atmosphere and on these special occasions where Hong Kong versus the World they are extremely parochial and supportive of their local runners, trainers, and jockeys. The noise is amazing when one of their own horses win these featured races.

The track rated “GOOD”. The rail is in the true position for the entire circuit.

Ten races to bet on – some amazing fields with the feature races:

Race 5 The Chairman’s Sprint – (HK$20 million prize money)
Race 7 The FWD Champions Mile – (HK$20 million prize money)
Race 8 The FWD QEII Cup – (HK$25 million prize money)

A day where we may see some long-standing records broken!

NB: As these selections were made prior to race-day, please check for any changes to track conditions and for any scratchings on the day.
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Race 1

Class 4 over 2000 metres.

A tough race to start the day – so many to carry large weights so I went looking for those carrying some lighter weights here.

Reach Goal (9) will be partnered by Silvestre De Sousa. His last three runs have been at Happy Valley. He is best ridden quietly and then sprinting home late – that mission is nearly impossible at Happy Valley. Onto this large Sha Tin track this weekend – I think he will indeed be belting home late.

Happy One (14) is trained by Frankie Lor and Vincent Ho will ride. He was a victim of a slow pace last time out in the race won by Wonder Years (5). I think that there will be genuine speed in the race that will enable him to work home late.

Kowloon Great (1) was also in the race that Wonder Years (5) won – he was storming home late in a race that didn’t suit his style of racing. The solid speed will enable Zac Purton to wait until he unleashes late into the race.

Selections:

9 – Reach Goal
14 – Happy One
1 – Kowloon Great
3 – Ensured
Rough chance – (5) Wonder Years

Race 2

Large field over 1200 metres at Class 4 level.

Lucky Encounter (3) is trained by David Hayes and Karis Teetan will ride. He made his debut here over 1000 metres. He steps up in distance – however, on his first run in Hong Kong looks well placed to win this race.

Beauty Destiny (5) is trained by Frankie Lor and Zac Purton will ride. He has won two trials since arriving in Hong Kong after winning two trials at Rosehill prior to being sold to Hong Kong. He is raced in the same interests as Beauty Generation – have these astute owners unearthed another possible champion.

Easy Snip (7) won in his last start here. He gets back in the field and needs luck in his races – he also needs a fast run race. He will be ridden again by Jerry Chau – has drawn wide – but it will not be a drama as he will go back.

Call Me Dandy (1) is third up here with Matthew Chadwick to ride – has won third up – looks nicely placed.

Selections:

3 – Lucky Encounter
1 – Call Me Dandy
5 – Beauty Destiny
7 – Easy Snip
Rough chance – (11) Gluck Racer

Race 3

Class 3 over 1200 metres.

This looks like a smart one – Prince of Porty (7) trained by David Hayes – Zac Purton to ride. Won his only two starts in Hong Kong prior to being sent for a spell. Two recent barrier trials would suggest he is ready to win first up.

Supreme Lucky (1) has the top weight. Won in this grade last time out prior to a six week freshen up. May need some luck from barrier 13 – Matthew Poon will ride him again. Has had four rides on this one and has ridden him to all three career victories.

Northern Beaches (9) is a newcomer to Hong Kong racing – his debut was over 1000 metres – that was too short for him – stepping up to a more suitable distance - look for an improvement at odds – Karis Teetan will ride.

Lucky Archangel (12) has drawn well and has been trialling well since a short freshen up. He is trained by Frankie Lor and he could cause an upset.

Selections:

7 – Prince Of Porty
1 – Supreme Lucky
9 – Northern Beaches
12 – Lucky Archangel
Rough chance – (8) Nishikado

Race 4

Class 4 over 1400 metres.

Happy For All (1) is trained by Jamie Richards and Zac Purton will ride – they are a lethal combination when they unite. This runner was heavily backed last time out and just couldn’t reel in the eventual winner. The race time was slow and probably didn’t suit him – more speed this week – could see him back in the winner’s stall.

Red Hare King (6) is trained by Tony Cruz and Matthew Chadwick will ride. Last time out was heavily supported in the markets and nearly got the job done. He looked to have every chance – some luck in running will see him go close.

Round The Globe (9) - I just must tip this one – I love coming around the globe to Hong Kong racing! He had excuses last time out – slowly run race – lost a plate in the race – look for an improved effort here with Karis Teetan riding him.

Publicist (5) has been consistent – I just noticed the booking of Tom Marquand – he could make the difference.

Selections:

6 – Red Hare King
9 – Round The Globe
1 – Happy For All
5 – Publicist
Rough chance – (10) Joy Coming

Race 5 Chairman's Sprint Prize (Group 1)

Sprint race over 1200 metres at Group 1 – the first of our feature races.

Lucky Sweynesse (1) with Zac Purton riding for K Man looks the one to beat. He has just gone to a new level since the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in December – he has been up a while and this could be his last run for the season. He is progressive and Purton has been bullish that he may be competitive at the International level – he should win.

The other Hong Kong runner – Wellington (2) has won this race the past two years. He is looking for a hat trick of wins! Alexis Badel will ride him again for Richard Gibson – he will be in the top three for sure.

The Japanese sprinter Aguri (7) has been working well since his arrival in Hong Kong. He is an up-and-coming sprinter – I think whatever he does here in this run will see him back later in the year for the LONGINES International Races in December. Cristian Demuro has the ride – he has had one ride for one win on this impressive sprinter – keep safe.

Selections:

1 – Lucky Sweynesse
2 – Wellington
7 – Aguri
3 – Sight Success

Race 6

Class 3 over 1600 metres.

Ching (2) has been in wonderful form winning his past two starts here at the mile. Lyle Hewitson will ride him again. The mammoth weight may be of some concern late – has the handicapper finally caught up with him? He keeps on winning and running time – drawn handy looks well placed here by trainer C Chang.

Powerful Wings (7) is a last start winner here as well. Settled back on that occasion and worked home nicely to win. He has the services of Alexis Badel again and Ricky Yiu trains him. Barrier 14 should be no drama – expect him to settle and make his run late.

Owner’s Praise (13) had excuses last start. Was held up and struck trouble before flying home – that was in a Class 4 race with a mammoth weight – he goes up in class, however sheds 6 kilograms in weight – with any luck he could be hitting the line late for Matthew Chadwick.

The same thing here for Smiling Collector (14) racing in a Class 4 race last time out and goes up in grade here so drops a large amount of weight. This runner did win last time out and did run reasonably time for trainer Jimmy Ting. Luke Ferraris rode him last time a few pairs back in the running and then put him into the race at the right time to grab a victory.

James McDonald will ride Romantic Charm (9) for Danny Shum – maybe JMAC’s influence can see a change in luck for this runner.

Selections:

2 – Ching
7 – Powerful Wings
14 – Smiling Collector
13 – Owner’s Praise
Rough chance – (9) Romantic Charm

Race 7 FWD CHAMPIONS MILE (Group 1)

First leg of the Quaddie – the second feature race of the program.

Let’s just make it simple – Golden Sixty (1) has returned to form - he is back to his pet distance – his track work this week has been sensational – Vincent Ho will ride the Hong Kong champion – trained by Francis Lui. Only bad luck will see him being defeated.

The other local California Spangle (2) with Zac Purton aboard has made it clear that he will be pushing forward and taking up the lead at all costs. With some other speed in the race – maybe he can hold on with Golden Sixty (1) not getting a clear run at them late.

Looks an ideal 1 -2.

Voyage Bubble (9) should fill the trifecta.

Selections:

1 – Golden Sixty
2 – California Spangle
9 – Voyage Bubble
5 – Beauty Joy

Race 8 FWD QEII CUP (Group 1)

The first leg of the treble – and our final Group 1 race on the program.

James McDonald will reunite with Romantic Warrior (1) for Danny Shum. He is winless since winning the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (Group 1) in December – was also ridden by McDonald on that occasion. They reunite for the first time since that win – I am not too certain he can win this race – but if he does the locals will go crazy and be screaming when he returns to scale.

The William Haggas trained Dubai Honour (2) comes from Australia after winning two Group 1 races in fine style. Tom Marquand will ride him. I keep going back to his last start win when he defeated Anamoe – I think that is a superb form line for this race. He has been working well on the track – has settled in well and looks a huge chance to win a race for the overseas contingent.

If there is to be an upset either of the two Japanese runners – Danon The Kid (3) and Prognosis (6) = could cause it.

Danon The Kid (3) has been working the place down since arriving at Sha Tin. He did run second to Romantic Warrior in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup last time out – he is maybe best placed to upset the two favourites.

Selections:

2 – Dubai Honour
1 – Romantic Warrior
3 – Danon The Kid
6 – Prognosis

Race 9

A Class 3 over 1400 metres.

Wide Blue Yonder (14) won last time in Class 4 company – he goes up in grade – trained by David Hayes and Joao “The Magic Man” Moreira will ride. His run was super – tremendous sectionals and race times – I think he will handle the class rise – drawn barrier 1 so he should not have to work from there.

Unpresuming (12) – it’s easiest to say just forget the run last time out. Got caught wide and had no luck. Is trained by the master trainer John Size – Karis Teetan will ride. It is not often that Size does not post a win on these huge race days.

Beauty Missile (5) has been very competitive in his past two starts. Has been well supported in each of those runs without really showing much. Frankie Lor trains this one and a rider change in Derek Leung is noted.

Taj Dragon (7) is a last start winner with Vincent Ho aboard – he retains the ride here. He does have barrier 14 to contend with – but I expect he will go back from the barrier and work home late. He has a solid finish – should be close to the winner when the judge calls a halt to the race.

Selections:

14 – Wide Blue Yonder
12 – Unpresuming
5 – Beauty Missile
7 – Taj Dragon
Rough chance – (2) Capital Legend

Race 10

The final race on this wonderful FWD race day 2023.

Class 2 race over 1400 metres.

John Size could trifecta the race with his three representatives in the race.

I like the last start winner Red Lion (14) – he has been working through the grades nicely. Was heavily backed last time out – Anthony Hamelin will ride, and he has drawn well in barrier 7.

Tuchel (8) is resuming this weekend from a spell – had a recent barrier trial where he was not asked to do too much. Cristian Demuro will ride him here. I keep going back to his stats over the 1400 metres – 4 starts – 4 wins – that is impressive! He has a solid first up record as well.

Beauty Eternal (4) is the third runner for Size and Zac Purton will ride. Stepped up to 2000 metres last time out – that was 7 weeks ago – that distance is not his go. Has a freshen up with a recent trial under his belt – Purton rode him in the trial – expect a bold showing.

Flaming Rabbit (13) is trained by Douglas Whyte and Karis Teetan will ride. In his first run in Hong Kong for the new owners and stable he was a credible third behind Red Lion (10) – that was solid form, If he has trained on – he could improve again and bother these late.

Fantastic Treasure (7) is trained by David Hayes with the key booking of James McDonald for the ride. He had a four week freshen up prior to storming home from the rear of the field to run second in the race won by Red Lion (10). From barrier 9 – I would think that he will be better placed here.

Selections:

10 – Red Lion
8 – Tuchel
7 – Fantastic Treasure
13 – Flaming Rabbit
Rough chance – (4) Beauty Eternal
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Jockeys Challenge

On paper Zac Purton wins, but maybe have something sly on Karis Teetan and Vincent Ho who both have a solid book of rides to upset the Hong Kong premier rider.

Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

1,7,9 / 1.6,9 / 1,2 / 2,7,13,14 - cost is $72 to $1

Value Early Quaddie (races 3 to 6)

7 / 1.6,9 / 1 / 2,7 - cost is $6 to $1

Quaddie (races 7 to 10)

1 / 1,2 / 5,12,14 / 7,8,10,13 - cost is $24 to $1

Value Quaddie (races 6 to 9)

1 / 2 / 12,14 / 7,8,10 - cost is $6 to $1

Treble (races 7 to 9)

1,2 / 5,12,14 / 7,8,10 - cost is $18 $to $1.

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