By Hans Ebert @HansEbertMusic Visit: www.hans-ebert.com
It was racing all over Australia yesterday with the sumptuous buffet of Group 1 races at Randwick highlighted by the scintillating win of Santa Ana Lane in the TJ Smith Stakes. Amazing sprinter.
There was 49-year-old Glen Boss flying in from Singapore to win his seventh Doncaster on Brutal, cameos at Caulfield by the ladies- Linda Meech, Jamie Kah and Nikita Beriman with the new Bernard Vorster-Tony McEvoy partnership continuing their winning streak in Adelaide to no one’s surprise.
In Hong Kong, it’s back to Sha Tin and watching some old and new favourites go round. It’s a good card highlighted by Beauty Generation looking to have the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy run over a mile at his mercy. Just wish the gelding was named something like Enter The Dragon. But what a Beauty he is…
In one of his more revealing interviews yet on the HKJC’s version of Thunderbirds Are Go, the Zac Attack, wearing quite a colourful bomber jacket, kinda shimmied his shoulders and exuded his usual nonchalant confidence when (again) being asked about his ride.
He knows everything there is to know about Beauty Generation and has answered the same questions umpteen times. It must be hard work. To keep mixing it up. But how? With what before it all becomes verbiage?
It must be how Hugh Bowman feels every time Winx makes an appearance. And her farewell next Saturday will have quite a group from out here flying over to say Thank you to the mighty mare. It’s the least one can do to someone who’s taken on all comers and dismissed them with consummate ease. There’ll be plenty of crying on Saturday, ok. Bring tissues.
Hugh Bowman is going to be a busy man from Wednesday onwards, if not earlier. With great power comes great responsibility, Huge Bow Man.
As for The Zac Man, there are those moments when he seems to not quite be with us. A glazed look comes over his face.
Still, it’s part of the gig, and he mentioned how (trainer) John Moore had done the right thing by giving the galloper a break which helped bring him back with a new “spring in his step”.
When asked whether Mission Tycoon, drawn next to him, might be an irritant factor by going like the clappers, the Zac Man looked both bored and dismissive. He squinted and replied: “It would be silly if that was to happen”. It might.
Though a longtime supporter of jockey Derek Leung, in recent weeks, for reasons unknown, he’s adopted a kinda weird riding strategy in distance races where he takes off around the field at a breath neck speed. It’s like watching a Roadrunner cartoon. But where Roadrunner comes up against a brick wall.
So when it comes to Mission Tycoon, don’t be surprised if there’s a loud beep beep. How this might affect Beauty Generation- or the Zac Man- who knows? But the latter might see a comedy of errors unfolding in front of him if this were to transpire and think he was back home playing with his kids. He’ll then go about Educating Rita.
Also interesting to watch in the same race is Pakistan Star make his first appearance for new trainer Paul O’Sullivan and FINALLY reunited with his original jockey Matthew Chadwick.
Why he ever lost the ride is questionable. It could even have had a serious impact on why the galloper has refused to race, have to pass trials, look fine in trials, but how when it comes to race day, he’s not the horse who made that stunning debut and became horse racing’s version of a “viral sensation”. His last few runs for trainer Tony Cruz was like E.T. croaking “Home”.
Despite the conga line of jockeys and even flying in Mr Horse Whisperer, Pakistan Star did what he bloody well felt like. And most of the time, he simply didn’t want to race. Nor did he enjoy being pummelled by the Samba Boys.
How will he do this afternoon? It’s his first start under new tutelage, he has his old mate Matty on his back, and the distance of the race is much too short for him. It’s just a day out to check out the lay of the land.
If he runs in the first four, it’s worthwhile persevering with this extremely intelligent galloper who wants to call the shots. If he decides not to race, well, like Chautauqua, he’s saying something that must be faced.
Who might come second to Beauty Generation? Possibly the often overlooked Rise High. Maybe Conte. But this is a race only worth watching.
Meanwhile, Full Of Beauty is the $1.7 overnight favourite in the Class 2 Homestead Handicap which, personally speaking, should have been a Cup race.
When asked about his chances on the favourite, Joao Moreira looked like one very very excited Speedy Gonzales enchilada. He almost exploded talking about the extremely promising galloper.
Any danger? Possibly Refined Treasure who’s going around a turn and tackling 1200 metres for the first time after some brilliant wins down the 1000m Sha Tin straight.
The Brazilian Magic Man will be to the fore again when he partners Waikuku in another race that should be a Cup race- but isn’t.
After a good, but unlucky second in the HK Derby, Waikuku tackles 2000m and faces competition from Dark Dream, Helene Charisma, Ho Ho Khan, Helene Leadingstar and two at the bottom of the weights- Savvy Six and Tianjin Monster.
Again, Waikuku is drawn out wide- barrier 12- but he should be too good and win for those extremely familiar red and black colours of the Siu family.
In some ways, the race meeting looks like a celebration to the Siu ownership motherlode of horses and that of Family SaSa Kwok and their stable of top class Beauty horses.
Guess if you’ve got the money, flaunt it. For the HKJC, the more the merrier when it comes to having good horses racing in Hong Kong. There’s even talk of Beauty Generation competing in the Yasuda Kinen.
For myself? No emotional attachment. Other than no playing “Let’s Pretend” if Waikuku loses.
What do I like this afternoon? Other than staying in bed, following Silver Fig (3) in the sixth race, the Sprint Cup between Mr Stunning with the Zac Attack replacing the Mauritian Magician, and Joao Moreira on Beat The Clock, Full Of Beauty, Waikuku, and an open looking last race where there are at least six winning chances- and which don’t include Invincible Missile (12) and Noble Steed (1).
The first two races are lucky pin jobs. Sure, they’re full of value. It’s about finding this value. We’d rather be exploring new places in perhaps Stanley or Macau for a late lunch. Anywhere far away from those Rugby 7 yobs who believe that every woman is available.
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