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International meeting in Hong Kong

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

It has been billed as The Greatest Show On Turf and I have to agree it will be a sensational day at Sha Tin race course tomorrow Sunday 14 December 2014 with the best Jockeys from around the world and some of the best horses ever assembled in one meet at this current moment.

It is going to be a sensational days racing and we have no less than four International Group One races. I will be attempting to put the best form to you for those races to give you the best possible insight and enjoy Hong Kong racing at its best as it really is apart from so many countries a very special and well presented horse racing event not only on International Day but every weekend throughout the year with the exception of about 8 weeks when we have the off season due to the weather.

Current conditions out of Hong Kong is that it will be a fine and dry day, mostly sunny with a bit of cloud later in the day and a top temperature of 19 degrees. The wind will be from the north east at about 20 Km/h and gusting up to 40Km/h late in the day. This will create a direct head wind down the straight and will assist on paced runners. The track is currently rated as Good but I suspect it will be Good to Firm and it will be perfect for racing and there should be some good times recorded.

So we have four very special Group I’s so let’s get started

Race 4: The Longines Hong Kong Vase 2400m Group One

The selections are No 1 Flintshire (7/4 Skybet) with the value being No 8 Willie Cazals (10/1 Skybet)and the exotic inclusions are No 5 Red Cadeaux (6/1 Skybet) and No 12 Snow Sky (6/1 Skybet).

Awesome race. Flintshire This is his best distance and has to be a very strong consideration today. This UK four year old does look one of the better overseas chances today. Has Max Guyon who is one of the best hoops to come out of France in the saddle. Drawn well and should get a nice smother in the running and certainly looks suited at set weights. Willie Cazals deserves a serious look here as he has run some cracking races over this distance all be it at lesser class races but not by much. Appears to have certainly been set for this with two runs this time in over the 1800m and his last start over the 2000m and he has been closing off very well on all occasions. Just have to throw him in with a good chance to break his group duck. Should get a nice smother in the running and retains Douglas Whyte in the saddle. You cannot leave out Red Cadeaux as this evergreen stayer just loves to race and has performed extremely well everytime he has raced at Sha Tin. He just thrives on racing and is in sparkling form once again and will be ready to go once again today. Has to be a real chance at set weights. Snow Sky is a lightly raced three year old colt and is certainly an Improving type who does appear to be getting better with racing. Gets into this with a very nice weight and has very solid UK form. Drawn well to get a nice smother in the running as he does appear to like to sit and sprint. May go well today if he does not get too far back in the running but that should not be an issue in a field of this size.

Race 5: The Longines Hong Kong Sprint 1200m Group One

The selections are: No 8 Peniaphobia (15/2 Skybet) from No 9 Aerovolicity(11/2 Coral) and add Lucky Nine and No 5 Buffering for the exotics.

This is quality and looks to be a sensational race. Peniaphobia may very well be the real deal here as he has certainly caught them off guard on a couple of occasions this season in Hong Kong. Recorded a very nice win over this distance at G2 last start and has never been off the mark since arriving in Hong Kong only being out of a place on one occasion and just keeps on improving. Drawn well and looks a real chance on recent form with Douglas Whyte in the saddle. Aerovolicity was knocked from pillar to post last start and you can certainly forget that run. Previous starts have been extremely good and does appeal as a bit of a chance today. Has to be at each way odds here but can surprise if he get the right trial. Lucky Nine Cannot be left out of this race. Loves Sha Tin and is a champion sprinter. Has had mucus problems throughout his career but his track work recently has been first class indicating that he is ready to race today. He has came up with a very nice draw as well in gate four which will also entice his followers. Always a serious threat at set weights and Brett Prebble knows him like the back of his hand. Of the others well Sterling City on his best form would certainly go well here today as he has came up with a great draw in gate three but has not really measured up this time in and you would have to take on trust. Smart Volatility and Golden Harvest also have chances but drawn very wide. The Best of the overseas runners do look this way. Buffering They said he should have came over last year and I am inclined to agree as he was in his best career form. Now a seven year old he has taken time to wind up this time in but is now peaking and looks right in this up to his neck. Drawn ok in gate 8 and will be taken forward as usual and be the one they have to run down. Looked a picture of health coming off the plane and has settled in well. Will certainly give this a huge shake as I really do feel he will be suited by this track and the conditions of the day. The headwind down the straight will be an asset as he is expected to get around the bend and make them chase. At current odds he goes in as my BOLTER of the meet as if he is on song he can certainly cause an upset here. But what is evident is that even though a long way out from start time he is drifting and is certainly a huge quote compared to his ability so I would be certainly be keeping a big watch on the markets with this one as there may be an issue behind the scenes.

Race 7: The Longines Hong Kong Mile 1600m Group One

Selections are No 1 Able Friend  (11/10 Skybet) from No 5 Ambitious Dragon (16/1 Bet365) as the value and add No 2 Gold-Fun and No 6 Fiero / No 3 Glorious Days for the exotics.

Able Friend Looks a very good chance once again today and the only query is the wide gate but there is a long stretch before the first bend and should have time to get into position before reaching that point. The pace up front should not be too solid and may very well develop into a sprint home which may also suit. He has been placed at this class from gate 14 previously at this class and distance under set weights as is the situation today and is in sparkling form with a very solid win over this distance at Sha Tin last start at Group II and retains Joao Moreia in the saddle. Ambitious Dragon New Zealand breed gelding who has been a champion race horse in Hong Kong. Lightly raced but had issues and was off the scene for 18 months but has came back as an eight year old and he has shown that he still has the ability to mix it with the best and has been placed on both occasions since resuming. Once at HKG2 and the other at G2 and both over this distance. Should get a nice run in transit and has to come under consideration today at set weights and he gets the gun UK hoop in Ryan Moore in the saddle who is himself in awesome form. Gold-Fun has to be an inclusion today the way he has been going. Rarely runs a bad race and has been right at the top of his game once again this season. Ran a very nice 2nd behind Able Friend last start and should get a nice run in transit from gate six. Looks a real chance at set weights with Douglas Whyte retaining the ride once again. Fiero is one of Japan’s best milers and ran a super race in the Group One Championship Mile in Japan and was just piped on that occasion. Has one of Japan’s best Jockeys in the saddle in Yuichi Fukunaga in the saddle. Should get a nice run in transit and will be putting in over the concluding stages. Glorious Days has a very good record at this class and distance and cannot be ruled out even though he goes in first up today as he has won first up at this class and distance previously. Certain exotic inclusion. If the hot pot gets rolled here the exotics should pay well.

Race 8: The Longines Hong Kong Cup 2000m Group One

Selections are No 3 Military Attack(5/1 Ladbrokes) from No 5 California Memory (25/1 Skybet) as the value and add No 2 Designs On Rome and No 8 Farraaj and No 4 Blazing Speed for the exotics.

Military Attack previous group I winner over this distance and has begun this season in fine style as well. Just the two starts and a bit of a surprise to see him get up first up over the 1600m but he is a class horse and looks to be  in very good form this time in as well. Ran a very nice lead up race over this distance at G2 last start and was only beaten by a head on that occasion. Very similar field in a lot of ways to that race and he is expected to get a nice trail in the running today. Zac Purton retains the ride and has to go in with a very good hope here. California Memory has had a similar preparation to Designs On Rome and has been stepping up in distance and ran a very nice closing race to finish 4th last start over this distance at this track. Only 3/4 lengths off the winner on that occasion and should be peaking today. Will be back but will be running on and if there is a chance he will take it at nice odds. Designs On Rome has had three runs in this time up and has been stepping up in distance with every run. Looked ready last start and closed off very well over this distance at G2 and even though he finished 5th he was only 3/4 of a length from the winner on that occasion in a blanket finish. Should be right at the top of his game for today’s race and certainly appears to have been set for this race today. Should get a nice smother in the running and retains Joao Moreia in the saddle. Farraaj Irish breed 5 year old who certainly has class and is an international player as he has recently travelled to the southern hemisphere searching to pick up a prestigious Group Race. Performed well in Australia and in particular in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes when he was placed 3rd on that occasion over the 2000m in a top class field. Will get the ground to suite today and has the very talented UK based Italian hoop in Andrea Atzeni in the saddle. Blazing Speed has the ability to sneak under the radar on occasions and looks a nice exotic inclusion. Just got up last start at G2 over this distance and certainly has appeal at set weights once again today.

 

Form Provided By:

The Sheik Of Sha Tin

For the full form Guide go to:-https://www.dropbox.com/s/4pbnadu2lqenqxz/Sha%20Tin%2014%20141214.html?dl=0

Tara can spark Sandown double for Nicholls

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Sandown warms up for Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase card with six races on Friday opening at 12.50 with a juvenile hurdle.

The form horse here has to be Baraka De Thaix after his fine third in the Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham last month. He made a bad mistake at the second last but stuck on gamely up the hill behind Golden Doyen. There aren’t many better four-year-olds on the scene at the moment and David Pipe’s grey should score.

The one I fear most is the Andrew Balding-trained newcomer Storm Force Ten. He was a decent handicapper on the flat, winning a good prize at the Chester May meeting. If he transfers that form to the jumps, he could make up into a decent prospect in the famous Waley-Cohen colours of Long Run.

The Grade 2 Winter Hurdle has attracted only five runners but four of them are unbeaten over hurdles. Nicky Henderson’s Vyta Du Roc is the obvious favourite after winning at Cheltenham last time but I am more taken with Tara Point. The grey is a daughter of Kayf Tara and has not been off the bridle to win her two starts for Paul Nicholls. It won’t be plain sailing with Ordo Ab Chao and Shantou Bob also in the field but Tara Point looks worth a bet at around 3-1.

The Nicholls and Twiston-Davies combination could make a quick return to the winners’ enclosure in the following handicap chase with Black Thunder. He was a promising novice last season and put up an excellent effort when second at Ascot in the United House Handicap Chase. He had the subsequent Hennessy Gold Cup third Merry King behind him that day.

He was beaten fair and square by Corrin Wood at Warwick last season but I am not convinced that he was at his best in the heavy ground. He looked far happier at Ascot last time and can make his fitness count against the McCain horse who is having his first run since the RSA Chase in March.

The final race on the card looks booked for Henderson’s Theinval who escapes a penalty for a win in a Conditional Jockeys’ race at Kempton last time. That was a big improvement on his first run, a common theme with Henderson’s horses this season. The one I fear most is Coup De Grace who ran on well to finish fourth at Cheltenham in a competitive handicap last time. He could be worth an each-way bet at a decent price.

Baraka De Thaix 12.50 @4-7 Betfair

Tara Point 1.55 @3-1 Coral

Black Thunder 2.30 @8-11 Skybet

Theinval 3.30 @9-4 Coral

Coup de Grace @8-1 Coral each-way

Becher Chase Preview

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The Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday has attracted a large field for the first big event over the famous Grand National fences this season.

The going is soft so the three and a quarter miles will provide a thorough test of stamina. The conditions were similar a year ago when Chance Du Roy held off the veteran Baby Run by a length. The Philip Hobbs stable is in fantastic form at present and Chance Du Roy must have an excellent chance of repeating his victory.

The ten-year-old was never travelling before being pulled up at Haydock in January but a return visit to Aintree was always his aim. He finished fourth at Ascot to Restless Harry in February and then ran a tremendous race in the Grand National, making headway towards the leaders before fading into sixth place behind Pineau De Re.

He also finished runner-up here to Always Waining in the Topham in 2012 so Tom O’Brien will be hoping for another good spin from the son of Morespeed this weekend. He is set to race off a 6lbs higher mark than last year but course form counts for at least that much over these fences.

Goonyella travelled over from Ireland for the Welsh National last December but finished a moderate eighth. He also finished seventh in the Irish National and Jim Dreaper is hoping that he takes to these fences with a view to returning in April. He stays all day but may struggle to go the early pace in such a huge field.

Gordon Elliott’s Balbriggan won over hurdles at Sedgefield before winning the valuable Troytown Chase at Navan last month. The grey has been raised 10lbs for that victory and may just be lacking a little experience for a tough race like this.

Mendip Express should go well for Harry Fry after winning a novices’ hurdle easily on his seasonal reappearance. He looked a very promising staying chaser last season before being soundly beaten by Smad Place at Newbury. He then jumped poorly before being pulled up in the Scottish National and has been dropped 3lbs in the handicap.

The Package has been round here a few times for David Pipe but put up a laboured performance at Cheltenham last time. Stable companion Our Father was favourite for the Hennessy Gold Cup last year but made no progress from four out and finished a disappointing seventh. He unseated his rider at the Canal Turn in the National so has plenty to prove.

One who did run to form in last year’s Hennessy was Emma Lavelle’s Highland Lodge. He made a gallant attempt to make most of the running and plugged on into fourth place. The form was given a boost last week by Merry King and Houblon Des Obeaux (fifth and sixth) who finished third and second respectively in this year’s renewal. Highland Lodge raced off 136 that day and is now 4lbs lower. He ran an encouraging race to finish fifth at Chepstow in October and could go well under Andrew Thornton.

Chance Du Roy @10-1 Ladbrokes

Highland Lodge @16-1 Paddy Power

Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4

Kempton Thursday Preview

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The National Hunt racing is modest on Thursday ahead of the big weekend meetings at Sandown but the all-weather flat action continues at Kempton.

Jockey Luke Morris recently chalked up a career best tally for the year when surpassing last year’s tally of 168 winners. He could not be described as a stylish jockey by any stretch of the imagination but he gets the job done. He must also be a nightmare for the handicapper to read while trying to assess his winners, particularly those late developing three-year-olds of Sir Mark Prescott.

Morris should be on the score sheet again on Thursday on hat-trick seeking Vaguely Spanish in the 6.45 race. The son of Oratorio is trained by Tony Carroll and showed previous little until finishing an unlucky fourth at Brighton in October. He got off the mark at Windsor later the same month when bursting through late off a modest handicap rating of 49.

The handicapper put him up only 3lbs and Luke Morris did the steering on him when following up at Wolverhampton last month. He looked in a tricky position turning for home but responded gamely when pulled out wide and beat Gracefully by half a length. He is only up a further 3lbs here and the opposition looks extremely weak.

In the earlier maiden races I like the look of Richard Fahey’s Star Of The Stage at 5.45. The son of Invincible Spirit has missed the break on both of his starts so far, running on strongly at the finish to take third here last time out.

He races in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud so will be expected to pay his keep. The danger could be Stamp Of Authority who was still going strongly in the lead at the furlong pole over seven here last time out. He faded close home to finish only fifth but this drop in trip should see him go close.

You don’t often see runners in maiden races here that have finished second at Ascot first time but that is the case with Ajmal Ihsaas in the 6.15. Marco Botti is stepping the filly up two furlongs here but she could be a little better than your average maiden winner. Rock Kristal appeared to resent racing in a hood last time for John Gosden and could pose the main threat without the headgear.

Star Of The Stage 5.45 @2-1 Betfair

Ajmal Ihsaas 6.15 @4-5 Betfair

Vaguely Spanish 6.45 @11-8 Paddy Power

Tingle Creek Chase Preview

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Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase looks wide open in the absence of Sire De Grugy and Sprinter Sacre. Eighteen horses were entered on Monday so the race looks more like a big handicap than a two-mile championship race.

Many Clouds (tipped at 9-1) gave us a nice win last week in the Hennessy for one of the smaller stables in Oliver Sherwood and this week it could be the turn of Trainer Tom George to steal the headlines. He is set to run the rapidly improving God’s Own who has still not convinced everyone that he is a Grade 1 chaser despite wins at Punchestown and Exeter.

Balder Succes beat him fair and square at Kempton in February but could not repeat the performance in Ireland. God’s Own returned at 25-1 that day and was still a very generous 8-1 when the two met again at Exeter last month. The son of Oscar ran out a convincing five-length winner, both horses having made bad mistakes in the home straight.

His jumping is probably my main concern as they are certain to go very quick early on with such a big field. Balder Succes can go quite low at his fences and he is not certain to enjoy the Railway fences either. Never the less, I feel that God’s Own is a better bet at 9-2 than Alan King’s horse at 11-4.

Several of these have alternative engagements over the weekend including Twinlight, one of three entered by Willie Mullins. I don’t think that I could support him after the way he jumped at Kempton last year. Stable companion Ballycasey surely wants a longer trip and Felix Yonger looks held on Punchestown form, although he would probably be the best of the trio.

Oscar Whisky ran a great race to finish a close fourth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup with 11st 12lb on his back. However, he is a two and a half mile horse who has run his best races at Cheltenham and Aintree over the years. He put up a really laboured performance here last spring, admittedly in heavy ground, but I am not convinced that this race will suit him.

Paul Nicholls does not have a Kauto Star or Master Minded to call upon this year as he seeks a ninth win in the race. You have to treat Hinterland with caution after he was pulled up with a broken blood vessel last time so his best chance has to be Dodging Bullets.

He is starting to become a little frustrating as he didn’t really fire at Cheltenham last year and looked to be travelling well until flattening out on the run-in on his comeback behind Uxizandre. He could have failed through fitness there or maybe he does not really like the Cheltenham hill despite having won there in the past. He jumped perfectly soundly that day and could be worth an each-way bet on Saturday.

God’s Own @9-2 William Hill

Dodging Bullets @10-1 Bet365

Each-way ¼ odds, 1,2,3,4

Racing Preview November 29th

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Our ante-post advice for the Hennessy Gold Cup was to go each-way on Smad Place and Many Clouds. I’m pleased to say that both horses are set to go in Saturday’s feature race at Newbury in a typically competitive renewal.

Denis O’Regan takes over in the saddle on Smad Place with both of Alan King’s regular riders side-lined through injury. The grey should run well and I haven’t lost any confidence in Many Clouds, despite his slight drift out to 9-1 in the betting. I am not a particular fan of Djakadam or Fingal Bay in the race with their limited jumping experience so I’m hopeful that we will get at least one of our runners in the frame.

Nicky Henderson has not had the best of weeks having had to admit defeat in his efforts to have Sprinter Sacre and Simonsig ready for their respective December targets. He has also admitted that he has been caught out by the soft ground with many of his top-of-the-ground horses in action at present. I am surprised that he has declared Triolo D’Alene for the Hennessy having frequently warned that the horse needs good ground. I tipped him last year at 14-1 but I’d be very surprised if he were to follow up this season.

Henderson could still have something to smile about on Saturday as Hammersly Lake can go one better than at the Cheltenham Open meeting. He was only beaten in a photograph by Roman Flight having travelled well throughout and he should go close off a 4lbs higher mark. David Pipe’s Home Run could be the danger as he was full of running when tripping up at Market Rasen last time out.

The Long Distance Hurdle should be a cakewalk for More Of That but I shall be watching the run of Shotgun Paddy with interest. He looks tailor-made for the Welsh National and this will tell us how fit he is for the Chepstow marathon next month.

Venetia Williams has her string in terrific form at present and is averaging a winner a day. The Clock Leary made a very impressive fencing debut at Ascot and runs in the 12.50 at Newbury on Saturday. The handicapper has lumped 12lbs extra on him for that win but a follow up looks extremely likely. Tara Road could be the main danger after winning on the bridle at Ffos Las. The handicapper didn’t miss him either and he is up 13lbs.

Over at Newcastle, I hope to see Irving get his Champion Hurdle campaign back on track after falling at Wincanton. It isn’t the greatest Fighting Fifth Hurdle ever run and he’ll need to win this if he has any chance at the festival in March.

Newbury

12.50 The Clock Leary @7-2 Bet365

1.50 Hammersly Lake @4-1 William Hill

3.00 Smad Place @10-1*

Many Clouds @9-1 Betfair

*Ante-post

Newcastle

2.05 Irving @Evens Betbright, Stan James