Sunday, April 24, 2016
Queen Mother Memorial Cup looms large for John Moore's former non-winner Victory Magic
A sharp ratings rise and the likelihood of a slow tempo shouldn't stop the former so-called "non-winner" Victory Magic running away with the Group Three Queen Mother...
QE II Cup a sign of the times as Japan prepares to mount more raids on Sha Tin
The prospect of a Japanese win looms large in the HK$20 million Audemars Piguet QE II Cup today but, regardless of today's result, racing fans might have to get used...
Moore's late dash to foil Moreira
Rather than taking the short odds about Joao Moreira in the Jockey Challenge, instead look to late arrival Ryan Moore to cause an upset with a flurry of wins in the second...
"Trackwork Highlights"
Amazing Always looks to have been primed for the drop in class. Double Point is problematic but is looking well enough from the training track.
Timing is key: Neil Callan believes waiting for the right moment will be pivotal for Blazing Speed's QE II Cup defence
Defending Audemars Piguet QE II Cup hero Blazing Speed and rider Neil Callan haven't been that kind of horse and jockey tale celebrated in song and story, but the...
Japanese trainers offer mixed response to possibility of rain-affected track in QE II Cup
Wet and wild weather at Sha Tin failed to stop the strong Japanese contingent completing preparations yesterday for the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup, but news that...
Story of the week goes to the odd couple relationship of Buffering and Rising Romance
For horses used to the hustle and bustle of a busy racing stable, the Sha Tin quarantine barns can be a lonely, desolate place, an exercise in isolation.
John Moore gives his three QE II Cup runners the thumbs up after final gallops
Any fears Werther is feeling the effects of his BMW Hong Kong Derby campaign were put to rest with a strong gallop yesterday morning as John Moore's three Audemars...
David Hayes' insider knowledge of Hong Kong a factor in Rising Romance's trip to Sha Tin
Trainer David Hayes might not have made the trip to Sha Tin for this wekend's Audemars Piget QE II Cup with Rising Romance but for the local knowledge he picked...
Everyone's a winner: Tactics key to QE II Cup as all contenders are happy with barrier draw
Most were happy with their barrier draws yesterday for the HK$20 million Audemars Piguet QE II Cup on Sunday, but between the likely tactics and tempos, the race...
John Size's Volitation a reliable Triple Trio banker
John Size-trained three-year-old Volitation should appreciate a step up in distance on Sunday at Sha Tin and stands out as banker as he goes for back-to-back wins in the...
Drop in class shows Wayfoong Vinnie on the path to victory
John Size-trained Wayfoong Vinnie makes the blackbookers after his first run in Class Four on Wednesday night, when he should have finished a fair bit closer...
Dethroned king of Happy Valley Caspar Fownes breaks longest drought of career
Caspar Fownes has done some of his best work at Happy Valley, including a six-win haul one afternoon, but the dethroned king of the city track was just happy to see...
Nuovo Record 'right at her peak' as she prepares for QE II Cup
Connections believe Japanese mare Nuovo Record returns for Sunday's Group One Audemars Piguet QE II Cup in even better shape than when second on international...
Heavy hitter Mike de Kock looking for third QE II Cup success with Ertijaal
Douglas Whyte and Mike de Kock may have been two of the very biggest South African names in the sport over the past two decades, but the connection between...
New boy Opie Bosson out to make a big impression at Sha Tin
If Opie Bosson is truly looking for a test to see if he is up for a full-time contract next term then he certainly has a sense of timing by beginning an end-of-season stint on...
Aerovelocity locks in Chairman's Sprint Prize start despite uninspiring dirt trial
Trainer Paul O'Sullivan and jockey Zac Purton were staying upbeat after Aerovelocity's somewhat uninspiring barrier trial at Sha Tin yesterday as a host of stars had final...
Australia racing whips itself into a frenzy with fines
If we had a dollar for all the people with an anti-racing bent over the years who warned us that the jockeys' whips were actually striking their boots, not the horses, we'd have...
Fame game: Hong Kong jockeys and trainers reveal their celebrity status in racing-mad culture
Tony Cruz took public transport once: "Never again." "Man, I went into the station to get on the train and I couldn't get out of there - there were just too many people wanting...
Wet weather greeting: Overseas contingent greeted by showers as they get first look at Sha Tin
Wild weather and torrential rain greeted overseas gallopers Ertijaal and Lovely Day as they had their first look at the Sha Tin turf yesterday morning in preparation for...
English import Big Bang Bong to defy odds in Triple Trio at first start
First-up wins over the Valley's helter skelter 1,000m course are few and far between but a solid preparation and a low draw give John Size-trained newcomer Big Bang Bong...
Newcomers lay foundation for future with promising Sha Tin debut efforts
Finding a number of black bookers made a nice change on Saturday at Sha Tin when several newcomers who had made a good impression without racing continued to...
Hong Kong fails to flatter in Macau interport race as Joao Moreira weaves magic to win Macau Derby
Joao Moreira took his magic show on the road with a Taipa treble but it was the home side that broke an interport drought when Best Of Luck made best use of a front...
John Moore looking ahead to back-to-back Derby wins for his stable with Rapper Dragon
John Moore is already eyeing the 2017 Hong Kong Derby with Rapper Dragon, but the smart three-year-old will still contest the Group Three Lion Rock Trophy at a mile next...
Australian whip rules would have prevented double, says leading rider Zac Purton
Australian jockey Zac Purton lauded Hong Kong as "a place where I'm encouraged to ride winners" as he launched an attack on controversial whip rules in his home country...
'Jolly' Derek Leung on track for personal best season after double
While Joao Moreira might be looking towards breaking records at the top of the jockeys' table, Derek Leung Ka-chun gave the impression after his winning double that...
John Size's Mr Stunning far from stunning but gets the job done by a narrow margin
Leading trainer John Size said his boom three-year-old Mr Stunning may not race again this season after scraping home by just enough to swear by in taking his record...
Ricky Yiu's Great Spirit to go one better in the Macau Hong Kong Trophy
The promise of a wet Taipa track and more wild weather has trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai confident Great Spirit can go one better than last year and take out today's Macau...
Speedy Achiever set to break through for Tony Millard
Speedy Achiever has caught the eye at his last couple of starts over the straight course at Sha Tin but the step up in distance looks ideal for him in the Hong Kong...
Cruz veteran still has the Speed for QE II
Blazing Speed indicated there might still be some life in his old legs yet with an encouraging dirt trial at Sha Tin yesterday ahead of a shot at back-to-back Group One...
Beware the European classic trail: it is not always the best guide to future Hong Kong success
The focus of the Asian racing world might be on the upcoming Sha Tin spring features - as well as the Satsuki Sho, the Japanese 2,000 Guineas, this weekend at Nakayama...
Ever-reliable Modern Fortune the best banker for Triple Trio opener
He's no superstar, but Modern Fortune can still be counted on as a banker in the opening leg of the Triple Trio tomorrow as the John Size-trained course specialist...
Debut winner Fairy Twins looks to have more in store
Yet another tricky affair at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with the rain about but debutant winner Fairy Twins looked one for the black book after he surprised everyone...
Mr Worldwide: Zac Purton booked for foreign raiders Satono Crown, Bow Creek in Sha Tin spring features
Zac Purton has been called upon for two foreign raiders from internationally renowned stables in Sha Tin's spring features, with the champion Australian jockey revealing on...
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