STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S DING DONGS.
Of course, the highlight of Wednesday night’s racing at Happy Valley was the four-timer by Joao Moreira- and the medley of We Will Rock You and Are You Going My Way by the Ben Semmens Band at the Beer Garden.
Moreira’s quartet of winners included a very creative ride on the John Moore-trained One World by Hong Kong’s favorite Magic Man who pinched the race while others were having a siesta to take out the January Cup.
As mentioned many times, the Hong Kong racing contingent don’t know the “nuances” and “fine print” of race riding- and don’t really give a rat’s arse about any of all that pontificating either.
So, talk in some quarters that Moreira’s ride to win on Golden Addiction had a big Mr Bean moment regarding his fine motor skills and should have resulted in another suspension, wouldn’t matter one iota to them.
What’s important is that their new racing idol won on the favorite in the race while another suspension would have really bummed out local punters who, if they could, would rub the brilliant Brazilian’s head for good fung shui.
Meanwhile, what’s all this talk about who will ride Glorious Day later this month?
From everything we know, as always, Douglas Whyte will be on it despite the end of the jockey’s long-time bromance with trainer John Size and new career focus to jump aboard as many Group 1 horses as possible with winning chances- something trainers Richard Gibson and John Moore have a mortgage on- and where Size doesn’t matter.
Finally, the trials, tribulations and ding dongs of the Hong Kong racing world carry on like Peyton Place in heat with a very acrimonious fallout between a leading trainer and his- nudge nudge, wink wink- Personal Assistant who has massive sway with owners, a jockey with a very off-the-hook temper knocking up his girlfriend and many jockeys running away from accepting rides from a certain trainer.
Who needs to watch reruns of Desperate Housewives when there’s all this happening- and for real?
THE BRETT “LUCKY” DAVIS DING DONG CORNER.
On the last couple of weeks episodes of the Racing To Win spectacular:
Amigo Brett: “Sorry, I was just strapping on my Simulator under the table.”
Amigo Clint mentioning that jockey Derek Leung almost ran away when trying to interview him.
Amigo Brett: “Maybe he thought you were me.”
On Wednesday’s ‘live’ broadcast of racing from Happy Valley: “There’s only $90 million wagered in this race as there are only nine runners.”
THE FAST TRACKER FEELS IT WILL BE A DING DONG DAY.
It’s not a brilliant buffet of races and there is only a small Triple Trio jackpot, but I really think there are many ways to skin this card- even if forgetting about the first four races.
R1O’HALO
Oh, hell, no- a dirt race to start the day.
Here’s mud in your eye.
R2 YO-YO DA
I once had a girl named Yo Yo- or, should I say, she once had me.
Hopefully, this horse is smarter and not a plank of Dongguan Wood.
If not, turn to a Naughty Baby for a happy ending.
R3 CAPTAIN AMERICA
Will pass on this race and leave Captain America to save the world.
R4 CROATIA/FOREVER AHEAD/EASY AHEAD/SUISSE D’OR
Not a race for me. Too scary.
R5 HOW SPEEDY
Moreira has been second on this one-twice- and, despite the wide draw, should win this.
I am unsure about Celestial Smile over this distance and from a wide draw whereas Número Uno gets my nod over it- and which will be at decent odds.
John Size debuts a new one in Bossa Nova, which, despite having trialled and worked it, Moreira sticks to How Speedy, so, this one might need a few more dance lessons. Plus Weichong Marwing on a Size newcomer doesn’t fill me with any confidence.
A warning: Kharu is in this race which will mean much preening in the paddock by local celebrity and human peacock in owner and noted photo hogger in the Macau-connected and general pain in the arse-Nat Chan.
Chan was once lead singer for a band called and spelt The Loosers- which they were. He was fired from the band which changed its name to the Wynners, below, and became very successful despite the big hair and shocking songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t867NA7bYUo
R6/ADDOLE/LUCKY BONUS/INDUSTRIALIST WAY/DRAGON
This looks like a certain boxed quinella. John Size unveils another newcomer in the Larry Yung-owned Dragon with Brett Prebble up, which makes me remember the partnership between owner and the late great Ivan Allan, below, a trainer who had no qualms in calling a spade a shovel and never suffered fools gladly or otherwise.
Racing writer Ken Martinus was an exception to the rule and served a ding dong purpose.
R7 SILLY BUDDIES/ROMAN LEGEND/SMART FORWARD
Again, these three should be the boxed quinella with interest in Glacier Blue running up a class with Derek “The Plunger” Leung aboard another one for Richard Gibson.
Since dating local racing expert Kit Lee, below, the talented Leung has been pretty quiet on the track, but after the successful plunge last weekend on Gibson’s Wishfull Patrol, it might have just stirred the jockey’s loins to start banging home some winners.
R8 APPROVE/RED DANCER/CLUB LIFE
John Moore turns to the much improved apprentice Dickie Lui, below, to offset the weight rise for Approve which should, at least, place, if not win, with Red Dancer the danger.
Club Life has a bad draw to contend with, but is another very good young galloper from the Richard Gibson yard which has pulled off two astute betting coups in consecutive race meetings. The recently married Matthew “Bang Bang” Chadwick rides it.
R9 GREAT CHARM
With Frenchman Olivier Doleuze suspended, his bon ami Gerard Mosse, below, who is tres charmant himself, takes over on Great Charm and will go very close.
Gwyneth Paltrow-type great legs are Supreme Falcon, Sichuan Vigor and with Moreira possibly trying to steal the race on G-one Leader- but, for a bit of a squib- which might start way under the odds.
R10 WAH MAY STAR/SEA DIAMOND
Since moving stables, Tony Cruz has taken his time with Wah May Star and today looks set to notch up its first win for the yard.
Sea Diamond, which used to go so well for Tim “The Hobbit” Clark takes a class drop and, if fit and ready for this race, should go close along with Winning Leader while Fleet Command loves this course and distance and has Moreira on it and riding a couple of pounds over.
BEST BET- RACE 5- HOW SPEEDY (6) NEXT BEST- RACE 8- APPROVE (1) LONGSHOT- RACE 10- VICTORIOUS (14)
SIX UP
R5-6-9 R6-1-2 R7-4 R8-1-2-6 R9-5 R10-1-6-10-14
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THE DING DONG SONG OF THE DAY
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TODAY’S SELECTIONS FOR SHA TIN (FROM THE THIRD DIVIDEND)
Sun, 11/1/14 Day Races @HKJC_Racing Mixed – Turf (“A” Course) / AWT Weather: Mainly cloudy. Cool in the morning. Sunny periods during the day with a maximum temperature of around 19 degrees. Moderate to fresh easterly winds, occasionally strong offshore at first. Source: http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm
Race 1: HUNG SHUI KIU HANDICAP, 11/01/2014, 13:00, Class 5, All Weather Track, 1200m 1 – O’Halo (5) 2 – Viva Dolphin (4) 3 – Daily Double (10) 4 – Goldweaver (1)
Race 2: KAM TIN HANDICAP, 11/01/2014, 13:30, Class 4, Turf, “A” Course, 1200m 1 – Heartland (12) 2 – Naughty Baby (10) 3 – Golden Gunners (9) 4 – Yo-Yo Da (4)
Race 3: LAU FAU SHAN HANDICAP, 11/01/2014, 14:00, Class 5,
Turf, “A” Course, 1400m 1 – Captian America (2) 2 – Kowloon East King (10) 3 – Idyllic Wind (9) 4 – Man And Ming (7)
Race 4: NAM SANG WAI HANDICAP, 11/01/2014, 14:30, Class 4,
All Weather Track, 1650m 1 – Croatia (8) 2 – Forever Ahead (4) 3 – Suisse D’Or (12) 4 – Verdane (6)
Race 5: PING SHAN HANDICAP, 11/01/2014, 15:00, Class 4, Turf, “A” Course, 1400m 1 – How Speedy (6) 2 – Starting Over (1) 3 – Celestial Smile (4) 4 – Numero Uno (9)
Race 6: PING SHAN HANDICAP, 11/01/2014, 15:35, Class 4, Turf,
“A” Course, 1400m 1 – Addole (1) 2 – Lucky Bonus (4) 3 – Royale Elegance (7) 4 – Solar Dragon (14)
Race 7 (Q1): THE POK OI CUP (HANDICAP), 11/01/2014, 16:05, Class 3, Turf, “A” Course, 1200m 1 – Silly Buddies (4) 2 – Smaart Forward (7) 3 – Pretty One (1) 4 – Roman Legend (6)
Race 8 (Q2): TAI TONG HANDICAP, 11/01/2014, 16:35, Class 3, Turf, “A” Course, 1600m 1 – Approve (1) 2 – Victory Hero (8) 3 – Red Dancer (2) 4 – Club Life (9)
Race 9 (Q3): WANG CHAU HANDICAP, 11/01/2014, 17:10, Class 3, Turf, “A” Course, 1400m 1 – Great Charm (5) 2 – Mr Gnocchi (3) 3 – Supreme Falcon (2) 4 – G-One Leader (12)
Race 10 (Q4): YUEN LONG HANDICAP, 11/01/2014, 17:45, Class 2, Turf, “A” Course, 1400m 1 – Wah May Star (10) 2 – Winning Leader (1) 3 – Noble Alpha (3) 4 – Sea Diamond (6)
Best Bet Race 7: Silly Buddies (4)
Next Best Race 10: Wah May Star (10)
Value Bet Race 9: Great Charm (5) – Currently, $7.10/$2.80
Long Shot Race 1: Enjoy the Fun (9) = Currently, $33.00/$8.30
Quaddie ($100 gets you 39%) 1.4.6.7 1.2.8.9 2.3.5.12 1.3.6.10
Six Up 1.6 1.4 4 1.8 5 10
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SELECTIONS FROM THE BIG APPLE (@SW064351)
BEST BET Race 9, No. 3 Mr Gnocchi Forgive last run over rain-affected ground. Previous runs have been in good company and this is easier.
SECOND BEST Race 8, No. 10 Boy Oh Boy Can find trouble in his races but will be suited by this trip. Go close.
LONGSHOT Race 7, No. 9 Psychologist Stack of speed on and will be doing her best running late. Knockout hope.
LAY Race 10, No. 10 Wah May Star Brave in defeat when runner-up to Able Friend, but won’t be given any peace up front here.
QUADDIE 4,7,9 / 1,2,8,10 / 2,3,5 / 1,3,6,8,9. $100 for 55.56%.
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