With that right old smooth talking Charlie offering them some sage, rosemary and thyme advice, our three Angels did very well for themselves by collecting the tierce in the fourth race that paid over $7,000, and siding with Dances With Dragon as their best way for a happy ending to the night.
Amazing Star should never have been passed fit to race after breaking through the barriers, no doubt being still unnerved after a freak accident during track work a few days earlier, whereas the less said about the performances of Highly Proactive, Tashidelek, and Fast Most Furious who looked a tad lost, the better. As for Speedy Wally, he just needs a nice long rest instead of seemingly stepping out each week to schlep around.
Meanwhile, there was some excellent racing throughout most of Australia yesterday- like the win of Diamond Effort ridden by the timeless Damien Oliver in the first at Flemington. Ollie, who’s riding better than ever, won two races later by producing a brilliant Houdini act on ILoveMyself.
Ilovemyself salutes on debut at HQ…. what a weapon! pic.twitter.com/qkLmBwdsSZ — Racing.com (@Racing) February 29, 2020
There was then a very confident ride by Damian Lane to win on the Danny O’Brien trained French important King Of Leogrance for owners Lloyd and Nick Williams, and the impressive win of the highly touted Eric The Eel winning at Doomben- a galloper attracting interest from some Hong Kong connections.
Of interest for Hong Kong racing fans was Blake Shinn riding at Randwick for the day, who signalled that he was back, even if just for a while, by winning on $19.90 shot Mamaragan.
Mamaragan is off to the Golden Slipper!@JTRacingRwik | @blake_shinn pic.twitter.com/WLljcda4GK — 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) February 29, 2020
The highlight and ‘feel good’ story of the day, however belonged to Ryan Maloney, who almost gave up riding not that long ago before moving to Queensland and returning from the wilderness to win the Australian Guineas on- who else?- Alligator Blood.
"His big heart pounding, he's clear, he wins!" Alligator Blood wins the Australian Guineas! @FlemingtonVRC pic.twitter.com/QlmFhAsmV5 — Racing.com (@Racing) February 29, 2020
This is a brilliant horse that led all the way and won ridden hands and heels and eased down. There are so many layers to this wonderful story- the unheralded trainer- David Vandyke- the owners, the jockey, the story behind the name of the horse and Queensland racing. Great stuff.
Getting back to today’s Shatin card, it’s alright, but nothing worth cancelling a lunch outdoors for and getting outside for some fresh air. This new way of having to live here under “house arrest” and seeing masked people walking around like a scene like zombies from “The Night Of The Living Dead” is not much fun. Then again, the way this coronavirus is spreading, where IS there a fun place with fun people?
Worth watching might be the ninth race. After a bit of a car crash at its last start, trainer Douglas Whyte has turned to Alexis Badel to try and erase the memory of that run by Farhh Above. This was when the short priced favourite ended up with no particular place to go other than up the backsides of all those in front of him.
Though carrying top weight, and with Endearing being the interesting runner after also not having the easiest last run, Farhh Above should make amends here on what could be a successful day for Team Whyte. The team has been going through a bit of a lull of late after coming out this season with all guns blazing. This will change this afternoon.
Frankly, it wouldn’t surprise if the combination of Douglas Whyte and Alexis Badel, who returns to Europe after today’s meeting and a hugely successful winter stint in Hong Kong, go very close to winning the last three races.
The Angels will definitely be taking a Treble on these three runners though Inner Flame, drawn barrier 12 over 1200 metres and just managing to hold on to win its last start, might be a risky proposition at very short odds.
Elsewhere on the card, today sees Lyle Hewitson aka Vanilla Nice bid Hong Kong adieu as he embarks on a two month contract riding in Japan.
Things might not have gone as well here for the champion young South African rider, but then the same could be said about Damian Lane.
Lane had limited opportunities which meant few winners during his three month tenure in Hong Kong, but the experience gained was invaluable and which he’s put it to excellent use after being given the opportunity to ride in Japan.
Not every foreign jockey licensed to ride in the land of the cherry blossoms succeeds, but Damian Lane has managed to prove himself by getting on some very very good gallopers, especially when champion rider Christophe Lemaire was suspended. Being a very nice guy helps.
Today, Lane is an “idol jockey” in Japan. There are only a handful of them who have reached “idol” status. All one needs is for any young jockey to win at that game of chance and get on a future champion. After that, well all kinds of doors open.
With backing from the powerful Northern Farm setup, Lyle Hewitson just needs an ounce of luck to win on a future champion Japanese galloper. Easier said than done, but without aiming high, it’s being one of the chasing pack.
Today, Hewitson could be looking at leaving on a winning note if Larson in race 6 succeeds. Drawn an outside barrier and racing over 1000 metres, the John Moore trained galloper has shown an abundance of speed out of the gates and could be very hard to run down.
Charlie and the Angels have got together and see some of these races worth following- the ones with an asterisk next to them.
Race 1
Trust Me (3) Healthy Luck (1) Zero Hedge (2) Fighter Boy (6)
Race 2
An absolutely dreadful race one might see…
Race 3
Cheese fondue, anyone? There’s no need to watch and bet on every race, you know?
Race 4
Beluga (3) Xponential (1)
Race 5
Frankly speaking, every horse in this race could win without surprising. There’s much of a muchness to them all.
Party Everyday (7) Savvy Seven (14) Ever Laugh (2)
Race 6
Larson (11) War Of Courage (14)
*Race 7
Circuit Three (2) Gift Of Lifeline (10) Hardly Swears (6) Snap Fit (1)
*Race 8
Goodluck Goodluck (10) Happy Alumni (11) Inner Flame (2) Ka Ying Legend (8)
*Race 9
Farhh Above (1) Endearing (2) Top Score (8) Joyful Heart (12)
*Race 10
Super Wealthy (7) Decrypt (1) Racing Fighter (11) Glorious Spectrum (2)
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