Mar 8, 20154 min read

THE FAST TRACKER IS LOOKING FORWARD TO A RICH “LEAN JOURNEY” WITH BRETT PREBBLE

RACE 1

New local apprentice Jack Wong makes his debut here- a class 5 race on the dirt- aboard Mister Marc, which is not without a chance in a field of also-rans.

QUARTET SELECTIONS: (1-5)- 2-6-8-11-12

RACE 2

Three to four years ago, the team of trainer Dennis Yip and Brett Prebble were a formidable one and when the Aussie jockey was nipping at Dougie Whyte’s heels for the Jockey Premiership.

This was when Whyte produced a remarkable Houdini act and came back from the jaws of defeat by pegging back a thirteen winner lead and overtaking the Aussie pretender to his throne.

It was enthralling stuff and with Brett Prebble going on to win the Melbourne Cup on Green Moon for owner Lloyd Williams and then spending months away from Hong Kong riding in Oz.

It all looked as if the future was so bright that he’d have to wear shades, but things didn’t go according to script and Brett Prebble, a very wealthy man, lost the strong support system he had in Hong Kong. Absence didn’t make the heart grow fonder. It was outta sight, outta mind.

For almost two seasons, he received zero, zilch, nada support from Dennis Yip. This season, the trainer has started to throw a few scraps his way whereas Prebble, with the support of Chris So, is going through a renaissance period and riding almost a winner every meeting.

On Wednesday he partnered the John Size trained Ensuring to a facile victory and in this race, Dennis Yip provides him with the first real winning chance from his stable in Lean Journey.

With his superb ride to win yesterday on the Gai Waterhouse-trained Wandjina to take out the Australian Guineas- Dougie Whyte came second on Alpine Eagle- Prebble’s confidence is at a high again. He’s got his tail up. Write him off at your peril.

QUARTET SELECTIONS: (8)-2-4-9-11

RACE 3

Expedite with the Zac Attack aboard and Harbour Delight with Dickie Lui stand out in a Sorcerer And Apprentice race.

QUARTET SELECTIONS: (2-7)-1-4-6-8-13

RACE 4

Gawd knows. And even He could get this one wrong- a race where Penny Lane (Whyte) and Dashing Fortune (Purton) are sure to be favourites, but which is far more wide open than a two-horse race.

There really is a need to go shopping for value as the Triple Trio is very rarely won by following favourites.

QUARTET SELECTIONS: (3)-1-2-5-7-13

RACE 5

A shocking race and a ridiculously tough opening leg to the Six Up where there are, at last count, nine winning chances promising a very crowded finish.

Sergeant Titanium will start a short-priced favourite with Moreira up and after its last start win, but, personally, I’m unsure that even the Magic Man and the brilliance of John Size as a trainer can take this galloper very far. Plus, since when has a red hot favourite won the opening leg of the Six Up?

This is a race where we need Billy Shears and more than a little help from whatever friends we might have left.

SELECTIONS: 10-14-1-8-5

RACE 6

Brilliant Shine, below, will be odds-on as it goes for its third successive win, but the horse has gone up plenty in the handicaps and just might have reached its limit.

Sure, it can win, but for value, I’ll be looking at Santa Fe Sun and Majestic Anthem and giving Tableaux one last chance to do something after the huge wrap it had when it first got here. But, jeez, that was eons ago and 2000 light years from home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSR5A–rSOs

QUARTET SELECTIONS: (3)-7-2-9-11-14

RACE 7

One of those All Bother Races on the dirt which usually signals going walkies to the dessert table- and returning after the race and waiting to have a bet on the next.

SELECTIONS: 1-3-8-6

RACE 8

This 1000m scamper could easily see apprentices Dickie Lui on Lovely Delovely and spanking new addition to the local riding ranks in Jack Wong on Dane Patrol finishing in the Quartet.

SELECTIONS: 8-1-2-9

RACE 9

Why-oh-why the HKJC persists with this Hong Kong-Macau Trophy when the Club almost seems embarrassed to promote it is beyond me.

At least “back in the day”, there would be Gary Moore in the parade ring blowing kisses and carrying on like a doofus whereas today, we can only take bets as to what outlandish outfit MJC Iron Lady Angela Ho will show up wearing.

As usual, Macau will send its best, which are just not good enough and will end up coming last when competing here against the likes of Pikachu, Arpanati, Wonderful Moments, and with it racing down a class, All You Wish.

QUARTET SELECTIONS: (9-11)-1-3-6-7-10

THE BMW HK DERBY IS HEADING YOUR WAY!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBXCW-l8oYw

RACE 10

Whoever programmes the meetings always saves the most interesting for the last where there are always 3-4 up and coming gallopers that will make for good racing plus attract some big bets including a few large plunges.

But, as seen many times this season like the vast amount wagered on Glorious Rider in the last at Happy Valley, these appear to be the random off-loading of bets that should be ignored. Unlike in seasons past, it’s not a sign to blindly follow like some bah bahs.

In this race there are three winning chances- Dr Good Habit, Up And Coming and Packing Pins- with my pick being Dougie Whyte to go one better than he did in the Australian Guineas yesterday.