The less said about the ride on Shakespeare at Sandown yesterday the better, but the good news was that $1.60 favourite Ayrton saluted as many expected despite some just having to overthink things when staring a gift horse in the mouth.
It was a facile win at Eagle Farm on Stradmore Day where Ayrton took out the G3 Gunsynd Classic after given a very confident ride by James McDonald. There was every reason to be confident. Ayrton was just too good.
For an encore, J-Mac simply sat on Zaaki and the very very good Annabel Neasham trained galloper did the rest in the G2 Q22.
Another favourite- Gravina- won- only just- at Randwick with in demand apprentice Reese Jones aboard.
The win brought up a double for Jones who ended up riding a four timer. His is a career that’s well worth following though we can’t be that bullish about Gravina.
Not to be outdone in the winning jockeys department, Jacob Opperman rode a five timer at Morphetville.
It was Willo, however, at Eagle Farm who stole the important silverware. Craig Williams stole the thunder and everything else by taking out the Stradbroke on Tofane, and half an hour later, winning the Dane Ripper Stakes with an incredible win on Brooklyn Hustle.
It was typical winter racing in the land of Oz with a fly in most ointments of each Quaddie leg meaning payouts were pretty high.
Racing in Hong Kong at Shatin this afternoon doesn’t promise to be any easier.
With several races on the dirt and the weather being a constant drizzle- Typhoon signal 1 went up on Friday and is still there- who knows what to expect?
Still, there’s a massive Six Up jackpot up for grabs which might be a Five Up if the very impressive last start winner Master Eight repeats plus watching Size and Fownes battle it out for the Trainers Championship, it’s a meeting that holds some interest.
On the subject of Caspar Fownes, the sad news was the loss over the weekend of Dancing Fighter to a bout of colic and other complications.
Raced by popular local celebrity Aaron Kwok, a close friend of Caspar, the sprinter won his last start at Happy Valley a month ago very easily with Joao Moreira aboard. He will be missed.
Meanwhile, with this racing season winding down and staycations beckoning as overseas travel still looks a forlorn hope, expect the unexpected and stock up on strawberries and cream. If it’s your thing, pretend you’re hobnobbing with racing’s rich and famous as Royal Ascot opens with much pomp and circumstance next week.
Frankly, though we adore and respect the Queen, as something watched in bed at some godforsaken hour, we find it all staggeringly pretentious and boring.
At least to us heathens, it’s something served up for those who still remember the television series “The Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous” and host Robin Leach and who wish they could have been there.
RACE 1
(6) Miracle Victory (3) California Spangle (8) Smart Idea (1) Cordyceps Six
RACE 2
Absolutely clueless about this race.
(12) For Fun’s Sake (11) Ever Strong (10) Telecom Missile (1) Dollar Reward
RACE 3 (10) Ka Ying Brilliance (12) Vega Rhythm (3) Regency Gem (6) Ruby Stars
RACE 4 (9) Fireball (1) Harmony Win Win (3) Blaze Warrior (11) Mega Bonus
RACE 5 (9) Forever City (7) Lucky Ruby (12) The Best Hero (11) Steel Win
RACE 6 (5) City Legend (9) Plikclone (8) Free Foal (11) Copartner Era
RACE 7 (5) Party Legend (2) Master Hero (4) Gracylove (7) Inno Legend
RACE 8 Let’s keep it simple. (9) Master Eight
RACE 9
A race more confusing than listening to one of Gator’s game plans that goes here, there and everywhere and where you’re suddenly looking at every horse in the race.
Also a race more trappy than some Baby Sharkie natterer loving the sound of his own voice and saying absolutely nothing.
So, when it comes to racing in Oz, other than The Amazing Deano, who gives us what we need to know straight and without the inane frilly bits? Dan O’Sullivan.
Back in Hong Kong, we have zero idea of who can win this. All we can say is to take a chill pill and fasten your seatbelts and to pick your lucky numbers. This race looks to be the one that will see many Six Up tickets turn to poop.
(7) Harmony Spirit (11) Resolute (8) Mega Heart (6) Star Of Yuen Long
RACE 10
It would be great to see Victor Wong, below, ride his first winner for the season before it ends, and hats off to in form trainer Me YS Tsui for giving the rider, who’s been to hell and back, at least an outside chance on last start winner Harmony And Rich.
The galloper won on Wednesday at Happy Valley with Matthew Chadwick aboard though we don’t see it repeating this success at Shatin. Still, there must be a reason for the trainer to back the horse up.
As for Victor Wong, it’s tough for any rider, including those at the top of the leaderboard, to win when they are given horses with little or no winning chances.
It’s easy for the powers to be to warn a rider about their “performances”, but how does one do something when given nothing with which to work?
(12) Czarson (5) Kurpany (6) Gold Chest (4) Harmony And Rich
RACE 11
(4) Serious Liaison (2)Beauty Fit (3) All For St Paul’s (5) Helena Baby
PARTING SHOT
One of the more creative pieces of work to market Hong Kong racing. This is the work of hobbyist racing photographer Donald Lee @LeeMingDonald. You were expecting something this good from, well, you know where? Please, children.
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