HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL SPRINT
Three Aussies – All Silent ($4.40), Scenic Blast ($6.50) and Apache Cat ($9.50) take their place in a red hot field. There’ll be a solid tempo with the likes of California Flag in the race which will suit the likes of All Silent at the good odds of $4.40. Local Champion Sacred Kingdom ($5) won this race in 2007 and is always competitive at International level while fellow locals Inspiration ($18.00) and Green Birdie ($34.00) ran the quinella last year.
Don’t discount the likely leader, Breeders Cup Turf Sprint winner California Flag ($10), who has only tasted defeat once in his last 7 outings. Omit the Brits at your peril – Total Gallery ($18) is an amazingly good price for a last start Group 1 winner (Prix de l’Abbaye), Borderlescott runs around at $26 while War Artist ($19) isn’t here for peace talks. There’s no doubt the best go all week has been the globetrotting Scenic Blast ($8.50 into $6.50) with some very savvy punters unloading a total of $60,000 on the flying machine from Down Under.
Best of luck to the owners as well who stand to win a US$1 million bonus should the horse salute on Sunday.
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL MILE
Australia is represented by Racing To Win ($18.00) in this race with mile record holder Good Ba Ba a firm $2.90 favourite. We’ve had good support for the Ba Ba as he opened up $3.20 and with the first wave of support has seen him shorten. We’re expecting even more money for the 6 time Group 1 winner and could start just into the black come Sunday. Our advice – bet early, avoid disappointment.
John Moore holds the key here with the exciting Happy Zero ($3.80) who has Beadman on board and is racing like he is looking for the mile. Egyptian Ra ($13) has upset the big guns in the past and will look for an all the way win – something he’s done numerous times on his home track at Group level. Frankie Dettori on a 20 to 1 shot? You bet!
Saeed bin Suroor trains Alexandros here – an unlucky 2nd beaten a nose in the Group 1 Lockinge in the UK earlier in the year when Frankie dropped the whip 200m from home. Don’t expect the same mistake again from the mighty little Italian. You’ll be star jumping with Frankie all the way to the bank if the Royal Blue of Godolphin is first past the post. Most punters, however, expect the Hong Kong Pair of Good Ba Ba and Happy Zero to fight it out.
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CUP
It could be a big day for John Moore with Collection, unbeaten at the course and distance), holding sway as favourite at $2.70. The HK Derby winning gelding has not put a foot wrong for Moore since arriving from Ireland but will face his biggest test with the likes of Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Presvis ($3.50) and multiple Group 1 winner Vision D’etat ($6.00) representing France.
Presvis supporters know just how good this horse is – and just how unlucky he can be too. A last to second finish in the Dubai Duty Free reeling off amazing sectionals showed us what he is capable of. He should have won the SIA Cup in Singapore earlier in the year after being held up for much of the straight before flying home as soon as he saw daylight. That result saw K Fallon on, R Moore off. The race is light on for other chances although Ashalanda and last year’s winner Eagle Mountain command respect.
HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL VASE
Reigning Hong Kong Horse Of The Year Viva Pataca ($4.20), also trained by John Moore, just holds sway in the market from three time Prix D’Arc runner up Youmzain ($4.40). The Europeans have dominated this race in the past and Spanish Moon ($8.50), the unbeaten Daryakarna ($10.00) and Cirrus De Aigles ($17.00) could be the value runners. With blinkers on and B Prebble to steer, the HK Derby runner-up Thumbs Up ($9.50) could upset the lot.
Many astute punters believe the French are not without a chance here either. The untapped, unbeaten Aga Khan 3year-old filly Daryakana represents great value at $9. We really don’t know how good she is yet – she tackles open company for the first time here on Sunday.
Sportingbet Australia wish you all the very best of luck on Sunday for Hong Kong International Raceday.
