STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH
Though I wasn’t at the races on Wednesday night, it didn’t stop those with way too much time on their hands sending the usual brace of churlish and childish tweets and texts on the same subject: “Your mate is not a world class jockey like Moreira.”
Yes, and my Dad can beat up your Dad, Spanky.
“Your mate” is jockey Douglas Whyte who the anti-South African rider brigade think is a jockey who is both “overrated” and “past his prime” while others, new to the game of churlish behavior, are asking for his head for his ride on Charles The Great in the Hong Kong International Sprint which saw the fall of Steve Drowne from the fatally injured Jwala.
I am no Steward, but the HKJC’s Chief Steward Kim Kelly, below, is one of the very best in the business and doesn’t play favorites, and no one is an “untouchable” who gets preferential treatment.
There was a lengthy Stewards Report on what was a very serious subject, all questions were answered, all rides were studied, and it’s a closed book- but not to the armchair racing critics.
They know better. As usual.
What’s sad is that despite his two Group 1 wins on Hong Kong International Races Day, these have been dismissed by Dougie Whyte’s critics as “lucky” while he never received the rightful credit the successes deserved from many in the racing media.
Fair play? What fair play? The racing media is, by and large, all about mates doing favors for mates- damned be objectivity- and many in the pockets of Australia’s puppet masters and toe-ing the corporate conga line like good little breathless tin soldiers and sycophants.
As for Douglas Whyte, does all this politicking ever get to him? Not on the surface, but it has to hurt.
It’s no secret that there are those, some claiming to “admire and respect” the athlete as a “real professional”, who, for reasons known only to them, would like nothing better than to see the champion jockey with thirteen consecutive premierships to his credit fail, fail- and then fail again.
After those two Group 1 wins, there was an expected silence from The Knockers Corner- until Wednesday night.
We’re all different, but this level of dislike for somebody, who very few even know, or have met, shows the hypocrisy of people and a very ugly side to the human race.
Yes, it pisses me off no end as he’s a mate- but when he’s been wrong, it’s not been brushed under the carpet over here- and so the dumbass knocking of him is like someone messing with my family.
It’s also a side of racing I loathe: The petty, girlie man bitchiness by those who should know better, and the need to build people up, only to knock them down, something Don Henley put to music in Dirty Laundry.
As for Joao Moreira, what can one say that hasn’t already been said?
After missing out on Hong Kong International Week through double suspensions, the affable Brazilian with a massive local following including the influential Chinese racing media that takes no prisoners, came back with a vengeance on Wednesday and a quartet of winners- ridden on the pace, off the pace and from different barriers- outside, inside, sideways.
Though some say he was fortunate not to cop another suspension, it was a remarkable performance from The Magic Man which left many wondering just how many winners he would have racked up by now if not for all the holidays that have seen him shipwrecked on Limbo Island.
Also, rumors of him finding Hong Kong to be a tough nut to crack are wrong, according to those who know him with news that Joao Moreira and his family- like a McDonald’s commercial- are Lovin’ It here.
This afternoon at Shatin, Moreira, the flavor of the month- and for good reason- has another full book of rides, all with near-perfect barriers.
Of course, these barrier draws will, no doubt, have tongues wagging again led by the usual conspiracy theorists who see themselves as- sorry, I’m starting to laugh- racing’s Woodward AND Bernstein with their own “Deep Throat” when, in reality, they are Dumb And Dumber with Pee Wee Herman as their “Deep Throat” which results in wild and whacked out thinking and innuendoes.
Whyte, meanwhile, has only six rides- on today’s ten-race card and not even one for John Size whose interesting first-starter named Haemeric To Specso has gone to The Magic Man. The odds of this trainer-jockey partnership becoming permanent next season are prohibitive.
On the subject of horses’ names, Zac Purton, who, by the way, despite some off-track reports, is not deserting Military Attack for Dominant, rides the interestingly named Gentilis in the same race as the Size first-starter- guess it’s better than being named Gentiles or genitals-whereas in Race 6, Brett Prebble jumps aboard owner Adrian Hassan’s pucker-up galloper named Collagen.
Collagen needs to do more than Vogue in races- and soon- if it’s not to be shown up as being a complete dud by the Joan Rangers and the Fashion Police.
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NICOLE PURTON READY TO FIND HAPPY WEDNESDAY.
She’s very cute, she’s bubbly, she’s made for prime time, and Nicole Purton will become a regular on the online reality series Finding Happy Wednesday.
Nicole joins Sarika and Justin while we wonder what might happen if someone at the Beer Garden who doesn’t know who she is bags hubby Zac- on camera!
Pity da fool!
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CROSS-BETTING, DUDE, NOT CROSS-DRESSING!
We’re still wondering why there can’t be some entertainment at Happy Valley for those who head to the city track- especially on rainy days- to cross-bet instead of making the pilgrimage to Shatin- and the long trek back after a losing day.
There’s nothing better than to roll outta bed on a Sunday afternoon after a big one on Saturday night, wander down to Happy Valley, grab some fresh air, grab a burger, perhaps grab some ass and have a bet.
So, how about some entertainment like music, different types of food, a more relaxed atmosphere to work out the new Racing Touch app and a focused marketing strategy to promote the plus factors of cross-betting- and help bring in an even bigger slice of that new consumer pie?
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THE FAST TRACKER AND SUGGESTIONS FOR SUNDAY AT SHATIN
Wednesday at Happy Valley was the Joao Moreira Show with only the excellent Ben Semmens Band with Smurfette Anna on drums, Sugar Ray aka Homer Simpson on bass, Pedo and Jerry on guitars and Aussie saxy man Blaine plus birthday boy Ben managing to steal some of the thunder at the Beer Garden.
Watching some of the loyal ladies in the audience each week, they really should think about renaming themselves The MILF Band.
Moreira, meanwhile, rode a brilliant quartet of winners on an otherwise ho-hum card whereas today could be an encore performance by the Brazilian Magic Man- rain permitting.
He has the rides, the barriers, the support and is confidence personified. He just needs to temper those excellent riding skills with brain freeze moments when his steering skills are reminiscent of Mr Bean on amyl nitrate.
What do I suggest?
Apart from a late night Chicken Burger at Players in Wanchai which takes off at 4am and is open until 10am while also checking out the fine young fillies at Bolar in LKF, have a throw of the dice at the Triple Trio jackpot.
It’s a bloody tough card made tougher with rain forecast which might have us all singing in the rain- while cross-betting.
R1 BOLD TACK/PJ HALL/DIAMOND STAR/GOOD TIMES ROLL
Don’t be silly and bet on this race.
R2 NINE DRAGONS/GORGEOUS DEBUT/SOLAR SPIRIT
Though I like the name Heameric Te Specso, am leaning more towards Dougie Whyte on Nine Dragons gobbling up Zac’s Gentilis. Solar Spirit for an upset.
R3 MASTER SOMMELIER/ART OF SUCCESS/ORIENTAL PROSPER/GRIMMY
Dennis Yip using Gerard Mosse on Grimmy instead of Zac Purton? Quelle strange? It cannot win but might run a place for McMosse.
R4 EASY AHEAD/THUNDER FLYER
The first leg of the Triple Trio and one of those difficult All-Weather and All-Bother races with me being more Clueless than Alicia Silverstone as what to suggest.
When in doubt, just use The Magic Man as your banker and pray he’s up to his old tricks again. But, this time, no. Am on Easy Ahead with Dickie Lui aboard.
R5 CLASSY VICTOR
Moreira should take this race out, but finding the legs in the middle leg of the Triple Trio is a tough Brazilian nut to crack.
Perhaps, Hey, Cheers, Thanksgiving, Kissmet, Full Of Fun and Street Cat will do.
R6 CLUB LIFE/HOW SPEEDY
With Ollie Doleuze serving out a suspension, it’s good to see Richard Gibson giving Tye Angland a few rides- he won one for Gibbo on Wednesday- like he also has here- Club Life.
These two gallopers should run in the first three in the last leg of the Triple Trio and add Kynam, Lucky Gains, Always Amazibg and Prince Of Sunshine as good legs.
R7 SMART BALL/ THE PRINCE/SPARKLING B
Caspar Fownes backs up The Prince after an average run on Wednesday and the trainer backing up his Benz excites me more.
The Prince might run a place, but I don’t think it’s good enough to win this.
I’ll stick to the other two ridden by Matthew Chadwick who has gone winless for too long and Brett Prebble.
R8 GRIFFINDOR/BOY OH BOY/TUDOS CON SUERTO
A mind-boggling race- and an upset won’t surprise while I think this might be the race for Griffindor.
R9 SILVER GRECIAN/FREE JUDGEMENT/WAH MAY STAR/HYPERSONIC
Extremely even race where you can also add in Keen Tactic, but daddy’s heart and mind says this could be Silver Grecian’s day for the Moore-Whyte combination.
R10 FABULOUS NOVEMBER/WONDERFUL MOMENTS/HELENE MAY STAR
Oh, come on, one of these should win in a typically tough last race which will see plenty of money coming in for around eight horses.
BEST BET R5 CLASSY VICTOR (5) NEXT BEST R6 CLUB LIFE (1) LONGSHOT R8 GRIFFINDOR (3)
SIX UP
R5 5 R6 1-8 R7 2-5-10 R8 3-8 R9 2-3-6-9 R10 6-7-9
PARTING SHOT
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BEYONCE UNVEILS HER SECRET VISUAL ALBUM.
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SELECTIONS FROM THE BIG APPLE (@SW064351)
BEST BET Race 10, No. 1 Mr Gnocchi Outstanding effort to just miss after coming from a distant last. Rates highly.
SECOND BEST Race 8, No. 3 Griffindor Worked home solidly when resuming. Fitter and extra trip suits.
LONGSHOT Race 7, No. 6 Sunny Fay Strong to the line last start. Well rated and best form is at Sha Tin.
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TODAY’S SELECTIONS FOR SHA TIN FROM THE THIRD DIVIDEND
SHA TIN (HKG) Sun, 15/12/13 Day Races @HKJC_Racing Weather: Cloudy to overcast with rain. It will be cool. Fresh east to northeasterly winds, occasionally strong offshore. Winds will become northerlies overnight. Source: http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm
Race 1: 1 – Record High (6) 2 – Bold Tack (10) 3 – P J Hall (2) 4 – Diamond Start (7)
Race 2: 1 – Gentilis (3) 2 – Solar Spirit (14) 3 – Gorgeous Debut (1) 4 – Heameric Te Specso (4)
Race 3: 1 – Grimmy (6) 2 – Art of Success (9) 3 – Master Sommelier (4) 4 – Gold Talent (7)
Race 4: 1 – Star of Wai Bo (9) 2 – Thunder Flyer (10) 3 – Hurry Hurry Up (8) 4 – Ambitious Glory (1)
Race 5: 1 – Kissmet (9) 2 – Hey Cheers (12) 3 – Classy Victor (5) 4 – Thanksgiving (6)
Race 6: 1 – How Speedy (8) 2 – Amazing Always (13) 3 – Club Life (1) 4 – Kynam (3)
Race 7 (Q1): 1 – Brave Brother (9) 2 – Smart Ball (11) 3 – The Prince (2) 4 – Sparkling B (5)
Race 8 (Q2): 1 – Victory Hero (11) 2 – D’Or Wongchoy (5) 3 – Keen Tactics (7) 4 – Todos Con Suerte (1)
Race 9 (Q3): 1 – Eagle Power (13) 2 – Silver Grecian (2) 3 – Wah May Star (6) 4 – Supreme Falcon (14)
Race 10 (Q4): 1 – Flame Hero (13) 2 – Mr Gnocchi (1) 3 – Wonderful Moments (9) 4 – Fabulous November (6)
Best Bet Race 4: Star of Wai Bo (9)
Next Best Race 6: How Speedy (8)
Value Bet Race 10: Flame Hero (13)
Long Shot Race 5: Collagen (2)
Quaddie ($100 gets you 39%) 2.5.9.11 1.5.7.11 2.6.13.14 1.6.9.13
Six Up 9-12 8 9-11 11 2-13 1-9-6-13
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