Horse Racing Picks, News and Opinions
Tom and Rich discuss…
Horse Racing Picks
This week’s stop, a return trip to Hong Kong
Sha Tin Racecourse including: (Free Sha Tin Past Performances)
Race 1 – Ambitious Dragon Cup
Race 3 – The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup
Race 7 – Lucky Nine Cup
Race 8 – The Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup
Race 9 – Werther Handicap
Hong Kong – Sha Tin Horse Racing Picks and Commentary
22 to 1 Tom’s International Tips
Race 1 – Ambitious Dragon Cup
4 – Berlin Tango
20 starts 2 wins 7 placings
4 starts at the distance 1 win 1 placing
Not much in last race after layoff running 6th after sitting at the back of the field
Barrier Trial was useful 2nd at 1600m
A group 3 winner in the past and has won second up after layoff
Jockey switch to Zac Purton indicates to me he ready for a big effort
5 – Enjoying
25 starts 4 wins 5 placings
3 starts at the distance with 1 win and 1 placing
Ran 3rd at this level last out and being the front runner
The race before was awful on the all-weather – toss
Been running better but good enough to win? In the money finish is more likely
1 – Charity Go
44 starts 5 wins 12 placings
7 starts at the distance and 5 placings
Going well in last 3 races, won last time out at this level and ran 2nd the race before
Makes his run from midpack and should be combative here
Race 3 – The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup
1 – Waikuku
25 starts 9 wins 7 placings
At the distance 7 starts 5 wins 1 placing
Beat Golden Sixty last time out in group 1 at 1600m
Drops back to 1400m, a distance he’s very good at running
He’s a 3-time group 1 winner with 2 placings
Tuned up for this race with a barrier trial, running 8th
Repeat, if he can run like he did last time out, and the shorter distance is to his advantage
5 – Mighty Giant
18 starts 7 wins 4 placings
At the distance 12 starts 6 wins and 4 placings
A group 2 winner in the past
He has one placings at the group 1 level
It’s a hard choice for second because most of these horses are at the same placing coming into the race
4 – Wellington
13 starts 7 wins 1 placing
At the distance, 1 start
Won his barrier trail last out going 1200m
He’s a group 1 winner at 1200m
Ran 4th in group 1 last out won by Sky Field which the race had issues, could have run better without the accident?
Race 7 – Lucky Nine Cup
5 – Gallant Express
9 starts 1 win 3 placings
At the distance, 7 starts 1 win 3 seconds
Ran 4th most of the way around the track and finished 4th
Prior races were 2 seconds and running lines were again run 3rd or 2nd in the race
Finally breakthrough vs this field, why not?
10 – Quadruple Double
38 starts 4 wins 14 placings
At the distance, 24 starts 4 wins 7 placings
Not much in the finish last out but was on the lead most of the race before backing up badly
So why pick? Ran 3rd the start before running line was running 3rd most of the race
Coming to form? Maybe but hasn’t won in over a year
2 – Five Elements
7 starts 2 wins 2 placings
At the distance, 5 starts 2 placings
Winner of group 2 race and also a placing
Barrier trial before this start was a 3rd at 1200m and not very fast
Last 2 races running style was close up and backed up
Zac Purton has the mount for the first time
Race 8 – The Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup
1 – Golden Sixty
21 starts 19 wins 1 placing
2 for 2 at this distance
Got beat last out by a horse running in the other group 1 on the race card
Jockey comment on the last race saying he had too much ground to make up to catch the winner
Won his barrier trial in prep for this race
Not much more to say about a horse who’s won 19 times
11 – Zebrowski
20 starts 5 wins 6 placings
No wins at the distance with 1 placing with 2 starts
A hot horse, 2 wins in last 2 races in group 3 races in good times
Runs midpack and move at the top of the stretch and has done that very well lately
Can he beat the top horse? Nope but placing is possible based on current form and the balance of the field
8 – Reliable Team
21 starts 7 wins 8 placings
1 win from 4 starts at the distance and 2 placings
A group 2 winner at this distance
Should be close to the pace here and should be in position to run well
Race 9 – Werther Handicap
5 – Prime Minister
17 starts 5 wins 2 placings
5 starts at the distance with 2 wins
Ran 3rd in barrier trial prep
Won 2 races back at this level
He’s going to be dead last in this race and makes his move at the top of the stretch
I am hoping for a wide run and no traffic issues to have a chance here
2 – Pegasus General
6 starts 1 win 3 placings
2 starts at distance with 1 win and 1 placing
First start in Hong Kong was ok run at this level running 7th after being a little closer early in the race
Group 1 winner in Brazil
Like many horses who come to Hong Kong, they need a start
Should have a chance at a price? Win?
7 – Infinite Power
16 starts 4 wins 1 placing
3 starts at the distance with 1 win 1 placing
Ran 3rd last out after making most of the running in the race
First out this season, he ran 10th after making the all running to start, needed a race
His won on the turf and the all-weather
My top horse comes from the clouds and will try and catch this one down
Rich’s Ranks
Race 1 – Ambitious Dragon Cup
1 – Charity Go
6 – Tianchi Monster
7 – Looking Great
5 – Enjoying
Race 3 – The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup
3 – Sky Field
6 – Healthy Happy
1 – Waikuku
5 – Mighty Giant
Race 7 – Lucky Nine Cup
5 – Gallant Express
9 – Kumasi
4 – Ready to Win
10 – Quadruple Double
Race 8 – The Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup
5 – Sky Darci
1 – Golden Sixty
11 – Zebrowski
2 – More Than this
Race 9 – Werther Handicap
3 – Crossford
1 – Captain Win
2 – Pegasus General
12 – Zoom Boom
