G2 Cape Merchants Challenging Year-End Exam

Countdown has a good chance in the Gr 2 Cape Merchants (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Cape Racing

Merchants A Tough One For Punters

– Written by Mark van Deventer

A full field of 16 will line up for the G2 Cape Merchants, and punters will need to burn the midnight oil trying to find a winner given the range of form and spread at the weights. A possible shortlist comprises Surjay, Countdown, Wecangoallnight and King Regent.

Surjay sets the standard as a top class, consistent sprinter. Brett Crawford inherited the horse when Michael Robinson quit training, and has since campaigned the gelding with distinction in the Cape and in KZN. Surjay will carry 60.5kg’s so faces a stern test, but should get a good stalking trip from draw 3 before pouncing at an opportune moment He has a fine record over the course and distance, and supporters can be assured of yet another forward display.

Countdown is a huge threat receiving 6kg’s, which equates to about three and a half lengths over 1200m. Richard Fourie partners this in-form sprinter with the cheetah- like stride. Glen Kotzen has specially set down this race as Countdown’s target and his charge can contend for the win.

Kotzen also saddles King Regent whose forte is sprinting, though he’s been tried over longer distances. Carrying 58.5 kg’s makes his assignment a difficult one, but he can press the pace (assuming he jumps alertly) and kick on into the fray.

Wecangoallnight also comes with a few question marks. He is bred for further but tends to make life difficult for his jockey by fighting and pulling, so Eric Sands is keeping him to fast run extended sprints where he can settle better. He runs well for jockey Sean Veale, and a testing six furlongs could work out just fine. Wecangoallnight has the raw ability and finishing dash to duke it out with top notch foes carrying just 54kg’s.

Cosmic Highway has been given a chance by the official handicapper. He comes in with 55kg’s, and if he can step up a couple of lengths on his two recent starts – perhaps even regain the brilliance he flashed when younger – then Dean Kannemeyer’s entry will be a factor.

Other Contenders:

– Quasiforsure is remarkably versatile, but has been given a hard task off 58.5 kg’s.

– Bartholdi has become an enigmatic customer tried over a variety of distances, yet likes 1200m best.

– Montien turns back to sprints after using his long stride to prosper over 1400/1600.

– Noble City’s fitness is hard to assess after a lengthy spell, and he’s another that may be more at ease over a mile though he’s sprinted well enough here in the past.

– Mufasa is a pace-presser who can hit the frame at best carrying a low weight while Silver Falcon has a similar running style yet lumbers a 7kg heavier burden.

This is one challenging year-end exam for punters, and it will take handicapping savvy plus a dollop of good fortune to bring down the winning Quartet combo. P6/Jackpot bettors will do well to come through this Leg intact. At a minimum, 3 – 14 – 5 -10 are the suggested numbers for Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Race 7.

A Preview Of This Weekend's Highlights

Pyromaniac will be a popular choice in the WSB Grand Heritage (JC Photos)

Tab4Racing

2 GREAT CHANCES FOR A BIG JACKPOT WIN!
TAB horseracing customers have an exciting weekend ahead with loads of opportunities to land big wins and Jackpot ONE is a must play at Saturday’s meeting at the Vaal and Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth fixture. Jackpot ONE pools on both days start with R250,000 carryovers and both should total over R1 million so there’s good money to be won!

EXPECT A CAVALRY CHARGE IN GRAND HERITAGE
The R500,000 World Sports Betting Grand Heritage tops the nine-race bill at the Vaal on Saturday and you can count on some good payouts given the size of the field. There are 23 runners and a case can be made for any number of them, so expect the TAB Quartet pool to be big with a handsome dividend almost guaranteed.

It could pay to side with Sean Tarry-trained Pyromaniac under Piere Strydom, whose resurgence in the saddle shows no sign of abating. Pyromaniac won his only start at the Vereeniging track and should be at a peak in his third run back from a rest. His last victory came over a similar trip (1450m) to that of the Grand Heritage’s unusual 1475m distance and he is 3kg better off with Silent War for a 2.50-length beating back in October. Silent War is unbeaten in three starts since joining trainer Tony Peter and is expected to be in the firing line, but Pyromaniac could face a bigger threat from stablemate Celtic Rumours to be ridden by Richard Fourie-.

Double-floating the Tarry pair in Quartet bets could pave the way to a timely Festive Season win. Others to include in the play are Sun Blushed, Val D’Orcia, Whafeef, Bon Vivant, Unzen, Paisley Park and Chayvana. Remember Leg 1 of the Jackpot ONE carryover is Race 5 at 14h35.

VAAL JACKPOT ONE

Race 5 @ 14h35

R600 perm (R150 = 25%)

Leg 1: 1, 3, 6, 7

Leg 2: 1, 2, 5, 6, 10

Leg 3: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15

Leg 4: 3, 5, 10

Click/tap here to take Harry Ihassi Vaal – Jackpot one.

Click/tap here for the best bets and the views of five tipsters on Saturday’s Vaal meeting.

CRAWFORD HAS STRONG HAND WITH SURJAY
The Grade 2 Cape Merchants (Race 7) is the headline event on Sunday’s nine-race card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, where bragging rights on the day are likely to go the way of trainer Brett Crawford. He runs classy Surjay in the 1200m feature and this talented Vercingetorix gelding should be rewarded for his consistency with his first Graded-race success. He has had five starts since gelding and his last three have yielded a second and a third in Grade 1 races over this distance as well as a third at Grade 2 level. He finished second to Thunderstruck in the Bantry Bay Stakes a fortnight ago on his seasonal reappearance and that outing should have brought him on appreciably.

The R250,000 carryover Jackpot ONE pool closes at 15:00 with Race 5 and comprises four competitive events including the Cape Merchants, so there’s an excellent chance of a bumper payout.

KENILWORTH JACKPOT ONE

Race 5 @ 15h00

R588 perm (R147 = 25%)

Leg 1: 2, 4, 5, 9

Leg 2: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

Leg 3: 3, 10, 14

Leg 4: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12

Click/tap here for the best bets and the views of five tipsters on Sunday’s Hollywoodbets Kenilworth meeting.

COSTA AND WATSON SQUARE UP AT MEYDAN
The Listed Al Garhoud Sprint, the second leg of the Emirates Sprint Series, is the centrepiece of Meydan’s bumper nine-race card this Friday. Michael Costa, the season’s leading trainer, saddles useful performer Saleymm and is chasing back-to-back wins after Mouheeb landed the prize 12 months ago. Formerly trained in the UK by Simon and Ed Crisford, Saleymm was a useful performer, winning four of his 13 races and was unbeaten on the all-weather. He merits respect if he handles the dirt, despite having been off the track for 15 months.

Colour Up, trained by Doug Watson, was one of the most improved sprinters in the UAE last season, winning three times including twice at Meydan. He stepped up to Group 3 level for his final start of the campaign, posting a career-high effort when fourth behind Sound Money in Mahab Al Shimaal. A strong-travelling gelding with a sharp turn of foot, he is open to further improvement and is fancied to put up a bold show on his seasonal reappearance.

STRIKE IT RICH WITH CITY GOLD IN SINGAPORE
There’s racing in Singapore this Saturday with an 11-race fixture at Kranji, where quality sprinter City Gold Star looks primed to land a fourth local win in Race 10, a Class 3 Handicap over 1200m on the turf. He has been in great form since kicking off his local racing career in April, registering three wins and two places. This son of Written Tycoon finished a creditable sixth in the Group 1 Lion City Cup three starts ago, outperforming his rating on that occasion which he confirmed with a subsequent win in this class.

AIDAN AND RYAN TARGET ALL 4 BIG ONES
The Longines International race meeting, Hong Kong’s biggest raceday of the year, takes place at Sha Tin on Sunday and features four enthralling Grade 1 events over 1200m, 1600m, 2000m and 2400m. Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien has a runner in each of the Grade 1 races and his best chances of victory lie with Luxembourg in the Hong Kong Cup (Race 8) and Breeders Cup Fillies’ and Mares’ Turf runner-up Warm Heart in the Hong Kong Vase (Race 4). Ryan Moore is carded to ride all four of the Coolmore trainer’s runners.

THREE GRADE 1 CONTESTS AT SANDOWN
Friday’s Grade 2 double-header at Sandown begins a bumper weekend of high-class jumps action at the Surrey circuit that also hosts three Grade 1 spectacles on Saturday, headed by the Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Race 4) in which Constitution Hill is a red-hot favourite as he puts his unbeaten record on the line against Love Envoi and his stable companion Shishkin. Jonbon represents the same Constitution Hill trainer-jockey combination of Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville in the Tingle Creek Chase (Race 7) and punters may want to add him to their multiples, although his odds will be prohibitive.

WSB Grand Heritage Pen Pictures

Celtic Rumours is a talented filly who is on the up and she must have a fine chance in the WSB Grand Heritage under Richard Fourie (JC Photos)

THe WSB Grand Heritage over 1475m at The Vaal has the biggest field of any race in South Africa and they jump at 15H45 tomorrow (Saturday).

1. Smorgasbord ran a 2,15 length third in one of his attempts beyond sprints in the Gr 2 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m last year and he has also dropped to a competitiove mark, so he is a fascinating runner having this third run after a layoff, although he did finish last in his last start over 1450m which is a dampener.

2. Sun Blushed has won over 1400m and comes off a good 1200m run off this same mark, so he has fair credentials although his low draw might be a concern.

3. Val D’Orcia has performed well a number of times from 1400m to 1450m so coming off a good win he has a chance from a high draw and off the same merit rating that he won the Gr 2 Post Merchants off.

4. Whafeef finished a two length third last year off a 95 but is now ten points higher in the merit ratings.

5. Pyromaniac has a good turn of foot and is effective over this trip so from an outside draw with Strydom up he could be a big runner.

6. Cabinet Shuffle should be cherry ripe and is an interesting runner off a competitive merit rating over a trip he should handle.

7. Bon Vivant has a nice middle draw and is competitively merit rated and stays the trip, so looks to be a big runner.

8. Celtic Rumours is on the up and distance suited so looks to also be a big runner from a high draw.

9. Duke Of Sussex won last year running off a merit rating of 94 and he was drawn 27 out of 27. He has had excuses in his last three runs so could be ready to run a good race off a competitive merit rating of 100 from a nice high draw of 18 out of 23.

10. Unzen has class and looks to have dropped to a dangerous mark so is another one in which a chance over a suitable trip, but his low draw could be a concern.

11. Solar Power has run poorly in two starts on the Highveld, but has his third run after a layoff and could bounce back.

12. Paisley Park is distance suited and should be cherry ripe and as one who is hard to win with this big field should suit as it gives him a chance to leave his run for as late as possible.

13. Silent War is the deserved favourite is. He has impressed in his trot of four wins in succession from 1160m to 1600m. Considering he always does his best work late this big field event down the straight should suit him, but it remains to be seen whether his lowish draw of six will be disadvantageous or not.

14. Another Level has hit form at the right time and is off a competive merit rating over a suitable trip.

15. Chyavana finished a decent 3,25 length fifth last year but is now seven points higher in the merit ratings.

16. Black Egret is consistent but will have to be ridden conservatively over a trip which will likely stretch him.

17. Zuzan is a capable sort who looks ideally distance suited, although he does have a low draw.

18. Scratched

19. Scratched

20. Funky Music has been in devastating form for this yard and is ideally distance suited, but the handicapper will be catching up with him.

21. Richard The First is a progressive three-year-old whose seven length third in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m was decent form. However, he did finish 0,25 lengths behind Silver Tudor last time out over 1200m and is now 4kg worse off. In fact he is 5kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings.

22. Brave Viking sneaks into the handicap over an ideal trip but has draw one.

23. Silver Tudor faded late when last trying 1450m but he was handy without cover in the running that day. He sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight, but the jury is out of his stamina capacity being by Jet Master sire Lance, who won a Listed race over 1400m, out of a Jay Peg mare whose only win was over 1200m.

24. Whispers Of War is distance suited, but is 1kg under sufferance.

25. Now I Got You should enjoy running in a big field over this suitable trip but is 2kg under sufferance.

Vaal Saturday Formguides And Selections

The Lucky Houdalakis-trained On The Horizon is coming off a hattrick and is selected by the At The Races Tipster to go in again in the sixth race over 1800m (JC Photos)

At The Races

1 12:15 PM – WSB Welcomes You Maiden Plate
This is not a strong field and BREATH OF MAGIC gets another chance to exit the maiden ranks. He has the inside draw whereas serious danger SECRET CHORD, who has drawn on the extreme outside, could make use of the supposed advantage and prevent him going forward. ROCK OF BISMANTOVA should prefer a lot further but could finish off strongly into the Trifecta. Look for improvement from ATARIME and TRIP TO STATES. Watch the newcomers.

2 12:50 PM – WSB Racing At It’s Best Maiden Plate (F & M)
SUGARY SWEET has been threatening and could open her account. however, on collateral form OUT THE MIST (disappointed last time) and SOMEDAY MAYBE shouldn’t be far off. RED KNOT showed inexperience on debut but will know more about it – respect. FRENCH DUCHESS attracted money in all three runs and could produce – consider. INEVITABLE races for her new yard and could win racing fresh.

3 1:25 PM – WSB Supporters Of South African Racing Mr 75 Handicap
Tricky and many could pull it off. WHAT A TIGER is bang in form and could be the ‘safe’ horse for exotics. HERE WITH ME has issues but if problem free could win. IN THE ETHER (races before this) and AFTER HOURS (not striding out last time) cannot be ignored for money. LIL MISS MONEYBAGS and JET CAT are more for the shortlist.

4 2:00 PM – Spina Wina At WSB Pinnacle Stakes
Rejuvenated 7-year-old CAPTAIN HINDSIGHT is in top form and could chalk up win No 11. Stablemate RULERSHIP made a winning debut for his new yard and could go on. MOVER AND SHAKER claims 4kg and will try and steal a winning lead. Top weight SHELDON disappointed last time but cannot be ignored for honours. DANILO DANILOVITCH could upset calculations.

5 2:35 PM – WSB Groom’s Initiative Graduation Plate
None of the eight runners can be totally ignored for exotics. RENY comes off a break but has done well fresh. She has the class but could just need it. GUY GIBSON (blinkers on) and HAWKBILL have scope for improvement and have comparative form lines with useful Purple Pitcher – respect. PEWTER SKY is holding form and with KING’S EXPRESS enjoys a 4kg claim. HOTARUBI could get into the action.

6 3:10 PM – World Sports Betting Middle Stakes
ON THE HORIZON is hoping to keep her unbeaten record intact and make it four victories. Many are out to prove her wrong. She gets 2kg from BELLEVARDE who needed her last outing and will come on heaps. TWIN TURBO who claims 4kg will have the run of the race, and with stable companion YOUCANTHURRYLOVE could get into the money. Heavyweight STREET ART and lightweight GEORGE HANDEL could make the money.

7 3:45 PM – World Sports Betting Grand Heritage
Another competitive WSB Grand Heritage Day race over 1475m with DUKE OF SUSSEX looking to defend his title. The four strong contenders on form are SILENT WAR, who is looking for 5 wins in succession, CHYAVANA who has matured nicely, as well as stable companions, classy PYROMANIAC who needed his last run and lightly raced CELTIC RUMOURS, who will be tested. Many others could get into the money.

8 4:20 PM – World Sports Betting Heritage Consolation
THE AFRICA HOUSE should have his consistency rewarded and chalk up his 2nd victory. Stablemates RIVER QUERARESS (blowing last time) and WILLOW EXPRESS could run into money. ANGEL OF WAR is having his peak run and should make his presence felt. GOOD COUNCIL wasn’t disgraced in his first appearance for his new yard and could go in. Look for improvement from TSAR BOMBA and ARGO ALLEY.

9 4:55 PM – WSB Wishes All Stake Holders A Merry Christmas Fm 72 Handicap (F & M)
BOOM BOOM is maturing and has done well in blinkers – she rates the one to beat. STORMY CHOICE was never travelling well last time but could get back to honest ways. LADY ELLIOT attracts money but was not striding out last time – expect a better performance. SUMMER OF DREAMS, GOLDEN ASPEN and ROSE TINTED are a few of many looking for money.

Sha Tin International Meeting On Sunday - Expert Guide

Japanese colt Lebensstil, stretching his legs ahead of Sunday’s Gr 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, is made Tim Carrol’s best bet. (Picture: Kenneth Chan)

Tim Carroll Of At The Race’s Guide To Sha Tin On Sunday

The Longines International meeting headlines on Sunday where four big Group 1’s take place

This Sunday sees the pinnacle of the Hong Kong racing calendar, The Longines International meeting at Sha Tin, featuring four Group 1’s with a staggering £10 million plus on offer in the Group 1’s alone. Horses and Jockeys from all over the globe have flown in for one of the highlights of the International circuit.

Now on to the selections;

SUNDAY’S SELECTIONS

Race 4 Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (610am) (12 furlongs)

8 LEBENSSTIL is a lightly raced 3yo colt from Japan, a nation that have won three of the last four running’s of this race, and arrives having won three of his six starts, with a profile that would suggest the best is yet to come. The selection will be having his first try at the very top level but he cruised to victory in a Group 2 over one mile three furlongs at Nakayama last time, when he had a Group 1 winner well held in second. He steps up to this trip for the first time, but he should relish going over a mile and & half, and he does get 5lb from the older males.

Dangers:

5 West Wind Blows is yet to win over this trip but his runner-up efforts to Pyledriver in the Hardwicke Stakes, and Without A Fight in the Caulfield Cup this season are strong form lines, and he does prefer a firmer surface, which he should get here.

9 Warm Heart represents the Aiden O’Brien yard, who have won this race three times, & she was only narrowly denied by the brilliant Inspiral in the Breeders Cup fillies & mares turf when last seen, but she does go up against the boys for the first time.

3 Zeffiro is an improving type from Japan that has only recently been stepped up to this trip, having run with merit all four starts in this range, including when winning a Group 2 at Tokyo last month, and he does tend to finish off his races strongly.

Race 5 Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (650am) (6 furlongs)

1 LUCKY SWEYNESSE, who is the highest rated sprinter in the world, and although turned over in this last year when unplaced as an odds-on favourite, he met more trouble than the early explorers that day, a run best forgotten. He does arrive this year having been beaten twice in three of his races, however both defeats he was runner-up conceding plenty of weight to the winners, and in races that didn’t shape favourably. He won the Jockey Club Sprint at set-weights last time, a traditional trial for this, with several of these in behind, and he should lob into a perfect spot from the draw in 5.

Dangers:

2 Wellington arrives as the defending champion, and although he ran below expectations at Royal Ascot, he made a nice return for his new yard when picking up the bronze having been tight for room in the straight behind Lucky Sweynesse in the Jockey Club Sprint, and its worth noting that connections have elected to go with first-time blinkers.

5 Victor The Winner will most likely smash out from stall 4 and try to dictate from the front like he did when carving out quick closing sectionals to win the Chief Executives Cup from Lucky Sweynesse at the start of the season, but he is not as well served under these conditions and will need a career best.

10 Highfield Princess would be a wonderful story, and she should get ground she enjoys, but this is a race that the Europeans usually struggle in (think Blue Point), and she does have an unfavourable draw, but she’s such a tough consistent mare that she should be considered for the exotics.

Race 7 Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (800am)

1 GOLDEN SIXTY will be looking to win this race for the third time having been surprisingly beaten in this last year by California Spangle in what turned out to be a tactical affair. The selection has been held-back this season and goes into the race having not been seen since April, however with a first-up record that reads a perfect six from six, I’d suggest there are no issues on that front, and may even be a positive. As one of the highest rated horses in the world, boasting twenty-five wins from his twenty-nine starts, it goes without saying that he is the logical play, especially given he should have a solid gallop to aim at, something that has cost him in the past.

Dangers:

7 Beauty Eternal was hugely progressive last season, winning seven of his ten starts, he arrives having won a traditional trial for this race, The Jockey Club Mile, and he should end up with the drop on the leaders from stall 5.

11 Encountered has a bit to find on the ratings with a few of these, but he should enjoy a high-pressure mile race, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he were to run well above market expectations after a soft win at Group 3 level last time.

4 Serifos is a Group 1 winning 4yo colt from Japan that was last seen when unplaced but not beaten far after a tough run in the Mile Championship at Kyoto, a race he won the year prior from Danon The Kid, who then was runner-up to Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup, thus the collateral form has a nice shape.

Race 8 Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (840am) (10 furlongs)

3 PROGNOSIS is no stranger to Sha Tin having been runner-up when two lengths behind Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup here in April, a race that did not set-up kindly. The selection was given plenty to do that day off a sedate gallop, before having to change course in the straight. He has subsequently had two starts in Japan, winning a stacked Group 2, before finishing third to the world’s highest rated horse, Equinox, in the Tenno Sho, and with a stronger gallop on offer than what he saw here in April, he should be afforded every opportunity.

Dangers:

4 Rousham Park is a progressive 4yo colt from Japan who has won his last three starts, and although this will be his first try at the top level, he had the multiple Group winner, Titleholder, back in second last time when running through the line strongly, and he should not be underestimated.

1 Luxembourg, who has won three of his six starts in and around this trip, was last seen when only half a length behind the subsequent Breeders Cup turf winner, Auguste Rodin, in the Irish Champion Stakes, which is a strong form line, and he does look a major player, however, no European horse has won this since Snow Fairy in 2010.

2 Romantic Warrior, who has won eleven of his sixteen starts and scooted up in this race last year, was last seen when taking out Australia’s premier middle distance race, The Cox Plate, & will once again be hard hold out provided the trip Down Under hasn’t left a mark, but that does have to be a concern.

Race 1: Class 4 Silent Witness Handicap (425am) (6 furlongs)

6 GORGEOUS WIN went off on the second line of the betting, picking up the bronze on debut last month when in behind a rival who looks a smart prospect. He did get caught up in a pace duel before being sent to the front a long way out that day, but showed plenty of tenacity to hold on well. He’s entitled to come on for the run, and from a kinder draw, he should go very close to breaking his duck.

Dangers;

8 Patch Time ran well enough when fourth on debut when showing signs of greenness in the straight, and he’s entitled to come on for the run, but Purton jumps of to ride the selection.

12 Round The Globe is an eight start maiden who bombed last time, but he had run with a bit of promise several times prior that, and connections have elected to put the blinkers back on, which should help.

1 Happy Gold has been unplaced all three starts of the current campaign at Happy Valley, but he now returns to Sha Tin where he was a twice course & trip winner last season, and he’s only 3lb above his last winning mark.

Race 2: Class 4 Beauty Generation Handicap (455am) (7 furlongs)

5 STAR CLUB was having just his fourth start, his first start of the season and his first start for David Hall when winning in good style over six-furlongs last month. The selection box seated that day, but he ran through the line strongly, which would suggest he’ll enjoy stepping up to seven-furlongs for the first time, he’s open to further improvement, and the draw in 5 should ensure he has the run of the race.

Dangers;

6 Romantic Hero didn’t help himself when unplaced as an odds-on favourite on debut behind the selection, and he will need to be taken on trust, but he has trailed well and chances are he’s a fair bit better than what we saw that day.

3 Eighty Light Years, who was a twice winner in Australia, showed a bit of potential without placing in four starts during his first local season, but ran with plenty of merit on his return last month when runner-up over course & trip, and should be able to build on that.

1 Fun N Glory has been struggling in Class 3 company recently, but he now drops down to a level he is a twice winner at, and the favourable draw will help.

Race 3: Class 3 Maurice Handicap (535am) (7 furlongs)

7 SIMPLE HEDGE was unplaced when on the second line of the betting on his return last month, he was less than a length behind the second that day, and that was after a tough run planted wide without cover most of the way. The selection, who won three of his six starts last season, is from a yard who like to leave a bit to work with, and he did win second up last campaign.

Dangers;

9 Globally Harmony broke his local duck on his seasonal return before coming from stone last to grab the bronze in a pace dominated race over six furlongs last time, and he should enjoy stretching out over the extra furlong.

3 Tamra Blitz won over course & trip last time, which was his third win over this trip at his last eight starts and he should once again be factored in despite a 6lb hike in the handicap.

6 Chiu Chow Spirit is yet to break his local duck, but he was doing his best work late when less tan two-lengths behind Tamara Blitz last time, who he meets on 6lb better terms.

Race 6: Class 3 Jim & Tonic Handicap (725am) (9 furlongs)

2 ENSUED, who was originally with James Fanshawe, has won both starts in Hong Kong, and although he goes up 6lb for a narrow margin success last time, he did it tough without cover most of the race, but he’s likely to find some cover this time from the low draw. The selection has only had five runs in total, and although a 3yo being asked to carry weight in a Class 3 is no easy task, he very much on the up, and should go close to completing the three-timer.

Dangers;

9 Billionaire Secret was unplaced when nearly three-length behind the selection last time, but given he was held up in the straight and is now on 6lb better terms, he should be shortlisted in what is an open contest.

3 Silver King ran with promise when placed here on his local debut having tried to make all over a mile last month, but he’ll strip fitter, and he did win at Group 2 level over ten-furlongs in New Zealand.

6 Universal Horizon hasn’t been seen since July, but he was a consistent type last season, and its interesting that connections have elected to send him over nine-furlongs first-up, having ran well his only try over this trip when placed here in June.

Race 9: Class 3 Lord Kanaloa Handicap (920am) (6 furlongs)

5 BEAUTY WAVES, who was a maiden winner at Dundalk for Patrick Flynn last year when known as Starspangledwaves, has run with plenty of promise at both local starts and looked all over the winner last time when only picked off late having crossed from a high stall. The selection goes up 2lb for that, but he’s a progressive 3yo that should have plenty more to offer, and looks worth a play in what is a Class 3 full of potential.

Dangers;

1 Galaxy Patch is now undefeated in two starts on turf in Hong Kong and did win with something up his sleeve last time, but a 7lb penalty sees going from the top of the handicap in what looks a good contest.

9 Sweet Briar has been placed both starts of the campaign at Happy Valley but hasn’t enjoyed the rub of the green on both occasions, and despite being a 5yo, still has plenty of upside.

4 The Heir was a thrice winner in Australia that picked up nicely over the concluding stages when runner-up to the selection last time, and although well held by the winner, he does meet his rival on 7lb better terms

Race 10: Class 2 Highland Reel Handicap (1000am) (7 furlongs)

5 FANTASTIC TREASURE hasn’t been in the winner’s circle since September of last year, but he’s kept some good company in that time, and his late closing style means he hasn’t always enjoyed the best of the luck. The selection is seen at his best when there is plenty of pressure on and he can be delivered late, something that should fall into place here, and in an open looking contest, he should be a bit of value despite the book of Purton.

Dangers;

8 Atullibigeal is a bit more talented than his overall record would suggest, but he’s another one who will enjoy having something aim at, and the race maps kindly from the low draw.

7 Helios Express arrives under a 6lb penalty and on a four-timer, thus he should be highly respected, but he did only just get there last time after a gun run, and this is a stronger contest.

3 The Golden Scenery, who doesn’t know how to run a bad race, won over the mile last time and is another with a live chance from what looks a kind draw, despite the 5lb penalty.

SUNDAY’S PLACEPOT

Today’s Place Pot will be races 5 through to 10. All up we will be playing 81 combinations (1x3x1x3x3x3), which will cost £8.10 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.

LEG 1- 1 LUCKY SWEYNESSE

LEG 2- 2 ENSUED 3 SILVER KING 9 BILLIONAIRE SECRET

LEG 3- 1 GOLDEN SIXTY

LEG 4- 1 LUXEMBOURG 3 PROGNOSIS 4 ROUSHAM PARK

LEG 5- 1 GALAXY PATCH 5 BEAUTY WAVES 9 SWEET BRIAR

LEG 6- 5 FANTASTIC TREASURE 7 HELIOS EXPRESS 8 ATULLIBIGEAL

TIM’S BEST BETS

4.25am SHA TIN

GORGEOUS WIN (NB 1)

6.10am SHA TIN

LEBENSSTIL (NAP)

6.50am SHA TIN

LUCKY SWEYNESSE (NB 2)

Cox Plate Hero Romantic Warrior's Important Home Course Test

Romantic Warrior gallops under James McDonald on Thursday

Riding a wave of Cox Plate glory, Romantic Warrior’s most important test of 2023 awaits

By completing an enormous year in style at Sha Tin on Sunday, Danny Shum’s star can show success abroad does not have to come at a cost at home

by Sam Agars (South China Morning Post)

Romantic Warrior’s history-making Group One Cox Plate (2,040m) victory will surely prove to be his most exhilarating and unforgettable 2023 achievement.

However, the four-time Group One winner’s final act of the year might be his most important.

Romantic Warrior overcame all sorts of adversity – feed issues, stringent veterinary procedures, unfamiliar surroundings – to plunder Australia’s most prestigious race.

His efforts were the talk of the town, and Peter Lau Pak-fai’s sense of adventure was an inspiration to fellow owners.

A below-par showing in his Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) defence on Sunday, though, would set tongues wagging at an even greater rate.

At a time when risk-averse owners are not willing to look past the potential pitfalls of travel, a Romantic Warrior flop this weekend would add considerable weight to their approach.

Should Romantic Warrior turn up at his best – or close to it – and show he has come back from his travels in tip-top shape, the upside in regards to Hong Kong’s presence abroad could be significant.

However, the pass mark cannot be to win, for whatever Danny Shum Chap-shing’s superstar has been through already, his toughest task on the track looks yet to come.

In Japanese pair Prognosis and Rousham Park, Aidan O’Brien’s Luxembourg and French three-year-old Horizon Dore, Romantic Warrior faces serious opposition.

A touch ironic is the fact master Irishman O’Brien is the only trainer this century, and perhaps ever, to take a horse – 2015 Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) victor Highland Reel – from a Cox Plate run to a Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) victory on their next start.

O’Brien means business – “no doubt” was his answer when asked if his four-pronged attack is the strongest he has ever launched on HKIR – and Luxembourg is the highest-rated horse he has brought to Hong Kong since Highland Reel.

Prognosis is hungry for redemption, and while it was Zac Purton in the saddle when the five-year-old finished second to Romantic Warrior in April’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m), star Japanese jockey Yuga Kawada will be on his back this weekend.

Whether that will make a difference for a galloper who was slow away before finishing two lengths adrift in April remains to be seen, but overseas fixed-odds bookmakers have him installed as the clear second favourite at $3.80.

There has been plenty of chat this week that Romantic Warrior is more than worth risking at $2.70 considering the enormity of the assignment and his taxing trip Down Under, but the stable is exuding a quiet confidence that suggests they are expecting something big on Sunday.

Jockey James McDonald, who is making a flying – and somewhat risky – trip to Perth to ride Zaaki in Saturday’s Group One Northerly Stakes (1,800m), has marvelled at Romantic Warrior’s ability to improve markedly in a short space of time, and the galloper’s physio, Tom Simpson, revealed on Thursday that “he’s really sparked up this week”.

No horse has won a Hong Kong Cup by more than Romantic Warrior’s four-and-a-half-length margin 12 months ago. This weekend, as he looks to join California Memory as a two-time winner of the city’s richest race, a whisker will do.

Mouse Morris Fears For The Racing Industry In Ireland

Mouse Morris, second from left, after winning the Grand National with Rule The World in 2016 (Picture: BBC)

BoyleSports exclusive interview with horse racing trainer Mouse Morris: I fear for the racing industry in Ireland, it’s hard to make a living and proposed Irish advertising ban is incredibly serious for the sport

Michael “Mouse” Morris was a former racing jockey in Ireland before taking out his trainers licence in 1981
Morris says he wouldn’t want to be starting out again now, with spiralling costs and the dominance of the super yards in Ireland
British affordability checks are concerning but the proposed watershed ban on gambling advertising in Ireland is a “much more serious”
Where used, please credit: “Morris was speaking to BoyleSports, who offer the latest Leopardstown Festival betting 2023 odds …” with a link to https://www.boylesports.com/sports/horse-racing/future-horses in the bold text only.

I wouldn’t like to be starting out as a trainer now against the dominant super yards

We are tipping away with a comfortable number. We have about 30 now but could do with another few all right.

Going up against the super yards is tough. I certainly wouldn’t like to be starting out now as a trainer, starting from scratch. The cost of the land, the cost of the gallops and having to always look out for new clients.

I fear for the industry in Ireland with their dominance

You have got to admire them [Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliot, Henry de Bromhead] all. They have got themselves where they are. It’s not easy but they’ve proved themselves. Maybe we will all have to buck up to their level.

But I do fear for the industry in Ireland a bit. I don’t think it is conducive for the game for the public to see five horses from one yard in a race and five from another.

It’s hard to make a good living if you’re a smaller yard – it’s just a way of life for me

Not really [make a good living]. For me and small trainers it has to be a way of life which it is for me. At my level it is a way of life. It’s really hard to compete. I am sure they are making a very good living though.

The affordability checks in England are a concern – but what is happening in Ireland is way more serious

It is not for me to say what Britain should do but I am if it happens it would have a serious impact.

In Ireland we have our own problems. They are trying to ban advertising on TV between 5am in the morning and 9pm at night. Which would mean we wouldn’t be able to transmit our racing which is much more serious.

Irish National Hunt racing is flourishing compared to the struggles in England

We have a lot of people with money who will spend it on the racing. I don’t know how the economy is going in England at the moment but money wise it is local people buying.

Ireland will stay dominant in my lifetime – I am sure about that. At least for the next ten years and that’ll see me out!

I barely remember my Grand National win in 2016 – I’d love to win it again

I would love to win the National again. That’s my big target, because I don’t remember much of the last win (when Rule the World won in 2016). I didn’t have to celebrate with alcohol because my adrenaline was pumping for a week after the race.

Foxy Jacks and French Dynamite would be the two I’d be aiming for Aintree next year.

It is the world’s most popular race, but you need to have a good horse now to win it. I have great memories of the place.

They had to make changes to the course at Aintree – but i’m not sure if it’s right for the race

It is the time we are in. They had to make changes but whether it is the right thing for the race I am not too sure. They are making them go faster and they’ve made the fences smaller. They will make it faster still when they bring the course forward.

I start looking at Cheltenham Festival horses eight months out

I started last August! Seriously. That’s when I start thinking about and plotting a course for a few of mine on how to get there. But a good few fall off the list.

The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is huge – you only get higher quality at Cheltenham

It’s a great racecourse, great prize money, great everything. It’s chalk and cheese from Cheltenham. You can’t get a higher quality meeting anywhere other than Cheltenham and Punchestown.

Foxy Jacks and Indiana Jones will be in the big handicaps and I will probably want something in the Pertemps qualifier.

Stable star Gentlemansgame is very well – he could head to either Leopardstown or Cheltenham next

He has come out of the Charlie Hall very well. I was a bit disappointed that Bravemansgame, who we beat at Wetherby, got beaten next time out at Haydock in the Betfair Chase. But his form was franked again on Sunday by I Am Maximus, so you have to take it at face value.

He could run in the Savill Chase at Leopardstown but maybe he will go to Cheltenham for Trials Day in the Paddy Power. He is our flag bearer at the moment!

We had a good result also at Cheltenham in the November meeting when Foxy Jacks took the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap. I was very happy with him. That’s my first winner at the track since First Lieutenant won at the Festival back in 2011. He jumped super, and we had Indiana Jones in the Haldon Gold Cup Chase at Exeter where he was beaten by Elixir De Nutz.

Smith Four-timer, Yeni, Mxothwa, Sharon Kotzen Doubles

Classy four-year-old Ideal World gelding Perfection won the Non-Black Type Founders Trophy today (Friday) over 1600m on the Fairview Poly under JP van der Merwe and he was won of four winners on the day for reigning East Cape champion trainer Gavin Smith (Picture: Pauline Herman)

Gavin Smith had a four-timer on the Fairview Poly today, two of them ridden by Muzi Yeni, and Luyolo Mxothwa and Sharon Kotzen also had double.

Smith is now level with arch rival Alan Greeff on 41 wins for the season and he has achieved it at a strike rate of 10.51%.

Sharon Kotzen is now on ten wins at 6.49%.

Yeni is on 81 wins at 14.39% and he closd the gap on national log Richard Fourie to 28 as the latter had a blank today.

Mxothwa goes to 30 wins at 10.64%.

Fourie leads the East Cape Jockeys Championship on 32 wins to Yeni’s 21 and S’Manga Khumalo’s 19.

Today’s Question

J J The Jet Plane winning the Hong Kong Sprint in 2010 (Photo : HKJC).

How many South African jockeys have won the Gr 1 Hong Kong Sprint?

Weekend FIELDS

Vaal Fields, Saturday

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Fields, Sunday

Today’s Question Answer

Felix Coetzee won the Hong Kong Sprint twice on the legendary Silent Witness in 2003 and 2004.

Glyn Schofield won the Hong Kong Sprint on Natural Blitz in 2005.

Piere Strydom won the Hong Kong Spint on the Lucky Houdalakis-trained J J The Jet Plane in 2010.

They are the only South African jockeys to win that big race.

Mauritian Karis Teetan, a graduate of the SA Jockey Academy, won the HK Sprint on Mr Stunning in 2018.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 8 December, 2023

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A Preview Of This Weekend's Highlights

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Vaal Saturday Formguides And Selections

Sha Tin International Meeting On Sunday - Expert Guide

Cox Plate Hero Romantic Warrior's Important Home Course Test

Riding a wave of Cox Plate glory, Romantic Warrior’s most important test of 2023 awaits

Mouse Morris Fears For The Racing Industry In Ireland

Smith Four-timer, Yeni, Mxothwa, Sharon Kotzen Doubles

Today’s Question

Vaal Fields, Saturday

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Fields, Sunday

Today’s Question Answer