THE FAST TRACKER TAKES A LOOK AT SHATIN TODAY (AND ALMOST NODS OFF)
The first thing that I noticed when looking at today’s ten race card in Shatin is that Dougie Whyte has a measly six rides and Zac Purton, too, doesn’t have a full book- though he does have some very strong winning chances- at least on paper.
I’ll leave our man from The Big Apple to see if these winning chances are also big lays.
Today also sees Magic Man Joao Moreira back after an enforced holiday following another suspension and, surprisingly, the Brazilian pinup boy of Hong Kong racing has “only” nine rides for a buffet of trainers including- wow- David Ferraris.
Short odds for The Jockeys Challenge? Duh. Really- though I’d be backing The Zac Attack and The Tyezer to upset the magic cart.
But what really hits home about this meeting is the lack of quality of the card- a dire bunch of races ending with a 1000m scamper with a few all-weather/dirt races thrown in and with an unusually uncreative approach to framing a race card.
It must be the cold or a bout of enforced lethargy as there is something almost Pythonesque about the meeting.
In the words of that poetess Evelyn Champagne King, Shame Shame Shame.
For what it’s worth, here goes nothing- and which is usually when one has a huge day.
Still, I won’t be holding my breath. Instead, I’ll be waiting for Wednesday and the start of the Music Rocks The Valley weeks at Happy Valley.
R1 HAPPY GOAL/BOLD-TACK/SPICY SHRIMP
Jeez, this isn’t a race to even watch as it’s made up of almost the equine geriatric brigade of Hong Kong.
There are very few with any winning chances and even though Tye Angland aka The Tyezer, takes over from Ben So who was suspended for not showing sufficient vigor on that old hipster Team Work. It can run a place but I can’t see it winning.
In fact, I can’t see anything winning. It’s all a bit like, What If They Gave A War And No One Came.
R2 GOOD TIMES ROLL/TELECOM PRINCE/STREET CAT
This could be the first win for the Magic Man Moreira who’ll start the good times rolling though after his recent marriage, Matty Chadwick might be a hungry Street Cat.
R3 WORLD CITY/SKY MAN
The Ricky Yiu-trained Sky Man looks a VERY nice type and well worth following this season though this race might be a bit short for it.
After its last win, World City will be under the odds with the Zac Attack replacing Eddie Lai, but should take this out while another first-starter- Money Cafe- had a very easy trial and could place at good odds. There was plenty of potential covered up.
R4 LINMANIA/JOY TOGETHER/STAR OF WAI BO
Forget the last run of Linmania where, if Jeremy Lin suddenly couldn’t move his legs in an NBA playoff, the horse was backed, but was going up and down on the one spot after being caught in a running area where it appeared to be rugby tackled.
A boxed quinella with Star Of Wai Bo and Joy Together looks a good one.
R5 ARCHIPPUS
The only Archipuss I know is from the bible and his relationship with the apostle Paul though I am really unsure the horse has been named after one of the more mysterious figures in the equally mysterious good book.
Though drawn barrier 13 and running over 1400m with Le Zac Attack aboard, it should win its second race in a row with great Gwyneth Paltrow-like legs being Heco Rider, Lucky Day and Amazing Always with Teets aboard.
R6 OCEAN POWER/ACTIVISM
A tough nut to crack due to the jockey merry-go-round involved where Moreira jumps aboard Hei Hei Posh despite Teetan winning on it at its last start whereas Teets is back on Activism, a regular ride for Whyte who gets on Travel Smart.
I’ll just be on Ocean Power where Neil Callan stays with the horse he’s stayed loyal to and a galloper who is bred to handle this trip…and a very tough second leg to the Six Up and an equally tough last leg to the Triple Trio.
R7 GLORIOUS RYDER
Forget that last not-so-glorious ride given to Glorious Ryder by Umberto Rispoli. Poor kid must have been in a rush to be with girlfriend Kimberley Mosse. Who can blame him?
R8 BRAVE BROTHER/OUR FOLKS/MULTI-EXPRESS
Newcomer Our Folks has been working brilliantly and don’t over-think things about Moreira not riding Brave Brother. He was committed to ride Tonyboy- not without a place chance- without knowing that Brave Brother had been entered for this race.
R9 GREAT SPIRIT/DEHERE’S THE LOVE/ RHUMBA KING
Most of the horses in this race love running on this dirt surface. Rhumba King and Green Zone, owned by Sam The Tailor, especially, wait for a race like this, which means that only a dumbass would not include them in all exotic bets.
Can they win? Sure, but so can about eight other runners without surprising.
R10 VITAL FLYER/DANE PATROL/ENSEMBLE
Derek Leung, once, one of the best local apprentices, is going through a very barren period. If not for his relationship with one of Hong Kong’s most popular local racing personalities, he would be even more barren.
So, this ride for trainer Michael Chang- Vital Flyer- and drawn an outside barrier that suits these 1000m races in Shatin- could be one to break his cold spell.
SIX UP
R5: 3 R6: 3-7-11-13 R7: 7 R8: 3-6 R9: 1-10 R10: 5-6-11
BEST BET: RACE 3 WORLD CITY (1) NEXT BEST: RACE 5 ARCHIPUSS (3) LONGSHOT: RACE 10 VITAL FLYER (6)
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PARTING SHOT
PHIL EVERLY, DEAD AT 74.
One half of the legendary Everly Brothers who influenced and inspired the Byrds, the Beach Boys, the Hollies, Simon and Garfunkel, the Beatles and any kid who ever picked up a guitar to sing with a band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpgo3Lkns5s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCWMMKS6W4Q
THE 1975
Amazing new band and great new track.
RIHANNA
Think what you will about her personal life and her penchant to drop her knickers everywhere, but, man, she can SING, baby!
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SELECTIONS FROM THE BIG APPLE (@SW064351)
BEST BET Race 10, No. 1 Straight Gold Unlucky when hampered in Happy Valley Trophy. Has the class edge on these and an imposing record course and distance.
SECOND BEST Race 8, No. 4 Tonyboy Import who was a game second in listed grade at Caulfield. Impressed in trackwork here, worth some thought.
LONGSHOT Race 9, No. 2 Green Zone Meets an even field with no standouts and will get race run to suit. Each-way.
LAY Race 7, No. 5 Giggles Forever Fitness query second-up and a lack of pace engaged.
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TODAY’S SELECTIONS FOR SHA TIN (FROM THE THIRD DIVIDEND)
SHA TIN (HKG) Sun, 5/1/14 Day Races @HKJC_Racing Turf (“C+3” Course) / AWT Weather: It will be fine. Very dry in the afternoon. Moderate to fresh easterly winds. Source: http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm
Race 1: CARPENTER HANDICAP CL5 1 – Bold Tack (4) 2 – Happy Goal (5) 3 – Lucky Red (3) 4 – Highland Dragon (2)
Race 2: GRAMPIAN HCP CL5 1 – Good Times Roll (10) 2 – Telecom Prince (8) 3 – Hong Kong Fat (4) 4 – Danesouth (3)
Race 3: HAU WONG HCP CL4 1 – World City (1) 2 – Fresh Air (13) 3 – Plain Blue Banner (3) 4 – Hayhay (10)
Race 4: LUNG KONG HCP CL4 1 – Star Of Wai Bo (10) 2 – Joy Together (7) 3 – Maroon Prince (2) 4 – Amazing Gift (3)
Race 5: NAM KOK HCP CL4 1 – Archippus (3) 2 – Amazing Always (14) 3 – Lucky Day (4) 4 – Medic Kingdom (13)
Race 6: THE LOK SIN TONG CUP CL4 1 – Hei Hei Posh (3) 2 – Activism (7) 3 – Travel Smart (12) 4 – Panther Run (13)
Race 7 (Q1): NGA TSIN WAI HCP CL3 1 – Giggles Forever (5) 2 – Divine Diya (4) 3 – Trump (1) 4 – Glorious Ryder (7)
Race 8 (Q2): SA PO HCP CL3 1 – Brave Brother (6) 2 – Multiexpress (10) 3 – Tonyboy (4) 4 – Supreme Fresh (1)
Race 9 (Q3): SOUTH WALL HCP CL3 1 – Dehere’s The Love (10) 2 – Great Spirit (1) 3 – Medalist (6) 4 – Smart Man (7)
Race 10 (Q4): TAK KU HCP CL2 1 – Ensemble (5) 2 – Straight Gold (1) 3 – Dane Patrol (11) 4 – Beauty Sparkle (3)
Best Bet Race 5: Archippus (3)
Next Best Race 10: Ensemble (5)
Value Bet Race 6: Hei Hei Posh (3)
Long Shot Race 8: Longwhah Supreme (2)
Quaddie ($100 gets you 39%) 1.4.5.7 1.4.6.10 1.6.7.10 1.3.5.11
Six Up 3 3-7 1-4-5 6-10 1-10 5
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