It’s a tough act to follow- a very successful Victoria Derby Day yesterday at Flemington with the star of the show being the exploits of an effusive James McDonald at the very toppermost of the poppermost of his game with a brilliant four timer.
There were good winning rides from Jye McNeil and John Allen and a remarkable double from that old guy known as Ollie plus the wins of Hitotsu, Superstorm and Home Affairs.
As for the usual rumblings that have been going on for over two years that J-Mac is interested in moving to Hong Kong, maybe to have lunch at Sai Kung, but why on earth would he move here?
J-Mac is riding most of the best horses in Australia for the country’s best trainers and has the UK waiting in the wings- if for some strange reason, he’s made an offer he can’t refuse.
He’s certainly not hurting for money. Plus one very much doubts that his partner- former jockey Katelyn Mallyon- would be too keen to move to Shatin Gardens and come face to face with the ghost of Christmas past.
Enough of all that and time to move on as we wait to cheer on Brett Prebble and Incentivise in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
As for today’s card- and which is for a rare Happy Valley Sunday afternoon meeting- it’s a tad bare, but a tough looking one.
At times, it has as many possible plot twists and turns that are almost as mysterious as the breezy Polynesian music that now and again wafts behind the pearls of wisdom muttered by the HKJC’s latest version of The Three Amigos. Weird stuff, but when wasn’t it?
With the Brazilian Magic Man sitting out the last day of a two-day suspension, Zac The Influencer is certain to be to the fore as he continues to win over and, well, influence, every trainer and owner.
It’s working- and these days he seems to have his sights set on Trainer Francis Lui who has some very nice horses in his stable including the champion miler Golden Sixty. Say no more.
With the racing taking place on the C+3 course, which usually favours front runners, and many racing today never having run on the city track before, Who knows anything? It’s all patchwork quilt guesswork with a smidgen of common sense thrown in.
Not to suggest everything ridden by The Influencer like some do, below are some possible roughies that might spice up a Quartet bet or a Six Up.
We’ll be at the Brassiere at the Conrad Hotel for the best Sunday Brunch in the world.
RACE 1
A Class 5 event where anything can happen. The Influencer is on the overnight favourite Run The Table (2) for new mate Francis Lui and, as they say, anything could win without surprising. So could any of the twelve runners in the race.
If we were to have a bet, it would be a Quartet ticket where we would box up 2-4-8-10-11. But why throw good money away?
RACE 2
Classic Unicorn (3)
Hong Kong Bet (2)
RACE 3
Kai Xian Dragon (4) who raced very successfully as The Drink Cart in Queensland, arrived in Hong Kong with high hopes. He’s done squat so far but just might benefit here by racing down a class.
RACE 4
1-5-7-9-11
RACE 8
Beauty Cheers (5)
RACE 9
Brilliant Life (8)
RACE 10
Special M (10)
Parting Shot
Comments