Though Sierra Sue won the race and huge congratulations to winning jockey Daniel Moor, below, on his first Group 1 race- and on his birthday, some eagle eyes in Hong Kong were on second placed Dice Roll in the Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield yesterday.
Dice Roll raced as Gold Win when trained in Hong Kong by Tony Cruz. Bought by somewhat mysterious and apparently fabulously wealthy businessman and well-known horse owner Pan Sutong with the 2019 Hong Kong Derby in mind, Gold Win did absolutely nothing here in eleven starts. One very much doubts this would have even made a dent on the businessman’s bank account. He’s rolled the dice a number of times to varying degrees of business success.
The French bred galloper was eventually put out to pasture at Pan Sutong’s Goldin Farms in Australia and went back to his original name when racing in France.
One thought that this would be the end of the story. Not so. Up and coming young trainer Nick Ryan, who rode in Hong Kong in the early 2000s, had other ideas.
With his step father being Racing Manager of Goldin Farms, both saw something special in the galloper. Nick Ryan worked the oracle and rolled the dice. The gamble almost came off. After winning three races in a row and rapidly going through the grades, Dice Roll came agonisingly close to winning the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at odds of 26-1 and $6 to place. In other Hong Kong related overseas news, The Gnasher- Nash Rawiller- was to the fore at Randwick yesterday where he rode a four timer including downing race favourite Nature Strip with a cool, calm and collected ride aboard Eduardo.
As for the races at Shatin today, this should be the day when Joao Moreira shakes off the mothballs and puts on his magic suit again. Though turning on the magic as he recently did with Jazz Steed, the world class Brazilian rider hasn’t really been exuding the pizazz expected of him.
With arch nemesis Zac Purton oozing confidence and riding winners on a pretty regular basis, the Brazilian Magic Man has looked a little unsettled going around some pretty ordinary horses. He’s much too good for that.
Photo: Wallace Wan
This should all change this afternoon as one of his two main support systems- Trainer John Size- has his best book of runners so far this season.
Whereas Wednesday night seemed like a birthday bash and a reason for handing out pressies for those jockeys who had yet to get off the mark this season, this afternoon should see normal transmission resuming and the continuation of the Zac And Joao Show.
Of course, there should be a couple of surprise cameo appearances to keep things interesting and these could come from Matthew Poon and Keith Yeung.
There are a number of jackpots to be won, the biggest being the bonus 6up. For this to happen, there’ll be a need to have at least two favourites rolled, so…
RACE 1 Jeez, Zac hasn’t taken a ride in this all weather race. Probably found it to be a waste of time- like we do.
Fairy Floss (6) Super Fast (2) Gameplayer Times (1) Oh Bravo (9)
RACE 2 This should be another instalment of the Zac and Joao Show with many siding with the former who rides first starter Master Aqua for Aquaman Hayes who seems to be swimming away with the championship title even this early in the innings.
Haysey’s strike rate and horsepower is quite remarkable, and as some prominent Hong Kong owners have mentioned, David Hayes coming out firing on all cylinders while the other big guns have been somewhat slow off the blocks has given the start to the new racing season the Zing it needed.
The big man is casting a big shadow over everyone else. As his go-to jockey, he has the services of the Zac Attack who’s very quickly immersing himself in the savvy lifestyles of the Tatler world of Hong Kong’s young, dynamic and ambitious- but without being gauche.
Meanwhile, somewhat tellingly, despite him riding a Group 1 winner for Hayes in Melbourne a couple of years ago when winning the Oakleigh Plate on Sheidel, the Brazilian Magic Man has as yet to be offered even one ride by the stable.
Strange, very strange and maybe not so elementary, Sherlock.
Master Aqua (5) Glenealy Generals (11)
RACE 3 Awful race. Not good much.
Ruby Stars (9) El Valiente (1) Apollo Warrior (11) Mister Monte (8)
RACE 4 King Of The Court (4) Lucky Maryknoll (9) Courageous Knight (2) Moon Peaks (11)
RACE 5 Free Foal (5) Robot Warrior (6) Tailor Made (11) Decisive Action (4)
RACE 6 Beauty Spirit (5) Swift Spirit (8) Kung Fu Tea (12) Solar Power (10)
RACE 7 Leap Of Faith (4) Soulmate (10) Chevalier Prince (9)
RACE 8 Drops Of God has the speed to overcome the wide barrier and lead though one has to wonder if he’s been set for this race.
Drops Of God (3) Jade Phoenix (10) California Cible (8)
RACE 9
Take Hall Of Champ out of this race and what you have is…a mess.
Hall Of Champ (2) Horseain Bolt (7) Perfect Pair (11) Dragon Fortune (13)
RACE 10 Big watch on the Fownes trained Zebrowski IF he’s done well after his last start. Good to see Keith Yeung who’s still to ride a winner this season keep the ride in this race. Caspar Fownes has two runners here- which is always something to take into consideration.
C P Brave (11) Zebrowski (10) Celestial Power (12) Super Football (3)