SELECTIONS FROM THE BIG APPLE (@SW064351)
BEST BET Race 6, No. 7 Swift Shadow Had some excuses when inconvenienced early yet looked the winner at one stage. Worth another chance.
SECOND BEST Race 7, No. 8 First Sight Love Victim of slowly run race last time but final sectional was fastest of the race. Hard to beat.
LONGSHOT Race 8, No. 10 New Deerfield Kept on behind Golden Harvest when resuming. This looks easier and not hopeless.
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THE FAST TRACKER LOOKS AT HAPPY VALLEY TONIGHT
Some may shy away from having a bet at Happy Valley tonight as there has been a steady drizzle for days, it’s bloody cold, the moon won’t be out, you won’t be able to see the stars in her eyes, your old fella might shrivel up etc etc, but I think it could be a winning night with a few riding changes, jockeys returning after suspensions, and others trying to avoid suspensions making every race absorbing viewing.
For example, with two severe reprimands hanging over him since his return to racing after lengthy suspensions, it remains to be seen if Joao Moreira will stick to his natural riding style and, possibly, face The Wrath Of Khan Kelly, or decide to fiddle with his steering and fine motor skills so he doesn’t come close to knocking down any other drivers as he speeds along screaming, Underlay! Underlay.
Tonight also sees Karis “Teets” Teetan and Olivier Doleuze returning from suspensions to battle for honors with the in-form jockeys- apart from Moreira- Tye Angland, below, and Zac Purton whereas leave out Douglas Whyte at your peril.
Whyte has been way too low-key after his Glorious Day on International Day and two Group 1 wins and even has a ride for John Size which actually has a chance.
After watching “Teets” being interviewed by hombre Clint of Racing To Win’s Three Amigos about his thoughts on riding Hei Hei Posh, the very good South African jockey was either bloody cold or helluva excited to be back amongst the action.
Who is the jockey to follow in the Jockey Challenge?
Apart from Moreira and Purton, possibly, Dougie Whyte, The Forgotten Man of Hong Kong Racing.
Oh, stop booing and screaming, Diiiiiuuuuu.
As for what I suggest when it comes to winning chances and I am probably a dumb knob- but am pretty confident about hitting the jackpot tonight- here goes.
R1 SHANGHAI PIONEER/NOVEL START
Though the now in-form Brett Prebble is riding Gracythom for Chris not-at-all So So and JoJo Moreira has drawn barrier three on the John Moore runner Hit A Home Run which backs up from Sunday, I am pretty sure the winner will come from one of the local jockeys- either Eddie Lai or Derek Leung, below.
R2 BACKBENCH BLUES
Rookie trainer Benno Yung has depended on McWeichong McMarwing for help with this galloper and it’s interesting to see our McPal- after two runs when ridden by other jockeys- back on Backbench Blues which tackles 2200m for the first time- a distance it’s been crying out for- almost as much as McMarwing craves a McHappy Meal.
R3 DOUBLE DRAGON/TERRIFIC MASTER
The Size-Moreira combination of Golden Addiction will probably start under the odds, but I’m leaving it out of my Six Ups along with Young Talent- which, like Young Warrior, might not have that much talent going for it.
I’ll take a chance with Double Dragon and upcoming birthday boy Tony Cruz’s Terrific Master. This could well be an early birthday present to himself.
What would have been fun is if Umberto Rispoli had ridden Hello Kimberley.
Wait: What am I SAYING???
R4 SUPER BROTHER/NOBODY BUT YOU
Dougie Whyte’s ride Brilliant Proposal will start favorite again after its facile victory over the same course and distance, but one doubts it will get another easy time out in front plus it has to carry eight pounds more. A place chance, but I can’t have it on a win line.
R5 TAYSIDE/CROESUS/LOVELY BOY/YEUNG SING
A tough race made more confusing with Geronimo Meadow dropping back in distance after a strong third at its last start when it came from near last over 1600m in Shatin.
Tonight it tackles 1200m with regular rider Olivier Doleuze aboard. Weird.
R6 LONDON WALK/SWIFT SHADOW/CHOICE TREASURE
This might be a very easy win for Choice Treasure, or a far more competitive race with strong challenges from London Walks and Swift Shadow.
R7 FORMULA WON/EMPEROR CLAUDIUS/FIRST SIGHT LOVE
This could be the race that might spell heartbreak for many still holding Six Up tickets and feeling super confident.
R8 ENSEMBLE/DINING WORLD/EXCITING DREAM
The hot favorite will be Ensemble, again comprising the Joao Moreira-John Size ensemble which will be going all out to win its four successive win of the season.
John Size is a master horseman and very astute at purchasing horses with at least twenty more rating points in hand and Ensemble could be one of those purchases.
But tonight, it heads the weights and is also drawn barrier 12 over 1200m. The short odds, the weight and barrier put me off with preference going to Dining World with interest surrounding bottom weight Exciting Dream which John Moore brings to Happy Valley and racing up a class with Dougie Whyte riding it at 118 pounds.
Though drawn barrier 10, it might be snagged back and swamp the leaders by storming down the outside like some hungry alligator after a python. Either that or it will just be a female alligator looking to give someone a gum job.
BEST BET RACE 6 SWIFT SHADOW (8) NEXT BEST RACE 8 DINING WORLD(5) LONGSHOT RACE 2 BACKBENCH BLUES (5)
SIX UP
R3 6-8 R4 1-3-12 R5 1-6-10-11 R6 7 R7 4-10 R8 5-12
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TONIGHT’S SELECTIONS FOR HAPPY VALLEY (FROM THE THIRD DIVIDEND)
HAPPY VALLEY HONG KONG) Wed, 18/12/13 #HValley Night Races @HKJC_Racing Weather: Fine and dry. Cold in the morning and at night. Moderate to fresh northerly winds, occasionally strong offshore and on high ground at first. Outlook: Cold, fine and dry for the rest of the week. Temperature difference between day and night will be larger. Source: http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm
Race 1: DUNDAS CL5 HCP 1 – Shanghai Power (5) 2 – Diamond Angel (3) 3 – Lucky Red (9) 4 – Novel Start (1)
Race 2: KWONG WAH CL3 HCP 1 – Lucky Omens (2) 2 – Jamesina (6) 3 – Ride With The Wind (7) 4 – Backbench Blues (5)
Race 3: PITT CL4 HCP 1 – Golden Addiction (3) 2 – Young Talent (4) 3 – Real General (9) 4 – Terrific Master (8)
Race 4: PO YAN CL4 HCO 1 – Brilliant Proposal (1) 2 – Seasons Star (2) 3 – Super Brother (12) 4 – Creative Union (8)
Race 5 (Q1): PO YEE CL4 HCP 1 – Lovely Boy (10) 2 – Geronimo Meadow (3) 3 – King Derby (2) 4 – Yeung Sing (6)
Race 6 (Q2): THE TUG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS CHALLENGE CUP HCP
CHALLENGE 1 – Swift Shadow (7) 2 – Choice Treasure (1) 3 – London Walk (9) 4 – Braveness (6)
Race 7 (Q3): SHATIN PASS CL3 HCP 1 – Formula Won (10) 2 – Flying Chaparral (7) 3 – First Sight Love (8) 4 – Emperor Claudius (4)
Race 8 (Q4): WATERLOO CL2 HCP 1 – Dining World (5) 2 – Exciting Dream (12) 3 – Ensemble (1) 4 – Tai Sing Yeh (2)
Best Bet Race 4: Brilliant Proposal (1)
Next Best Race 2: Lucky Omens (2)
Value Bet Race 5: Lovely Boy (10)
Long Shot Race 3: Real General (9)
Quaddie ($100 gets you 39%) 2.3.6.10 1.6.7.9 4.7.8.10 1.2.5.12
Six Up 3-4 1 3-10 1-7 7-10 5-12
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