We’re constantly bombarded by both racing and football fans asking if the HKJC might turn to super-popular Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira for any of the Club’s promotional and marketing activities during the World Cup which kicks off- where else?- in Brazil next month- and which is not such a silly question.
The ways to bring even a morsel of the huge football betting contingent to horse racing can mean a sizable increase in wagering- and IF cleverly thought through, could have a strong USP to compete with illegal bookmakers with the marketing of the Magic Man during the World Cup being perfect timing.
Of course, the usual red card we see about to be produced is whether after leading those usual horses to water, they have the ability to make this happen.
Still with GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL, though this season’s remaining race meetings after the June 5 races at Happy Valley take place in Shatin while the city track undergoes enhancements until re-opening on October 28, there will still be Happy Wednesday nights- not in the Beer Garden- for those who come to the Valley track to cross-bet.
A Brazilian carnivale-type Happy Wednesday World Cup night with dancers, samba samba samba and, well, scoring with some Ole Ole girls? Could be a great way to blow the whistles and bring World Cup Magic 2014 to Hong Kong.
———————————————
THE JOHN MOORE X FACTOR
After Singapore Airline’s International Day at Kranji racecourse, and still groggy from listening to Cliff Richard being just so slap-happy with that 40-year-old track called Congratulations, some of us started talking about the win of Dan Excel, and wondered what Hong Kong racing would be without John Moore- and if we could see anyone coming through the trainers ranks who might be able to step in.
In a word, No.
As we have now written many times in the 8-9 years we’ve been here with these FREE posts- being the number two son of the great George Moore, who trained horses for us, and cast a long shadow across racecourses at a time when younger brother Gary Moore was the golden boy of Hong Kong racing, John had to work doubly hard to win his father’s approval to get to where he is today.
After all, he was always “the former lanky jockey” who had enjoyed very moderate success except when riding Harrington and Carrington for owner Herbert Kees.
If, as some say, he’s an “untouchable”, with the HKJC having one set of rules for him and another set of rules for other trainers, not to mention his reputation for having mangled relationships with his jockeys, nothing can take away from the champion trainer’s incredible run of success and a stable that this season includes Group 1 winners Sterling City, Military Attack and, after its win at Kranji racecourse on Sunday, Dan Excel.
Add to this, Designs On Rome which can easily be one of the best gallopers in the world whereas in a starring role is Able Friend with strong co-stars in Rewarding Hero, Frederick Engels, Secret Sham and Charles The Great.
Take these horses away from Hong Kong racing, and what’s left? Not much.
Love him or leave him- and with all the prize money he’s earned so far this season, does he really care what people think?- “Diamond” John “Jim Dandy” Moore is Dominant and with a vintage Collection of Xtensions and Viva Pataca equine talent.
All those years working under George Moore have served him well and made him his own man and the head of the Moore Dynasty.
In fact, he might even be better than his legendary father when it comes to the powers of persuasion.
His ability to convince owners to purchase only the best equine talent money can buy- and which he and his team pick and choose with military precision and a definite strategy aimed at winning Hong Kong’s biggest races- is something many now almost take for granted.
Do, as some trainers say, Moore’s owners, “pay too much?”- different to “over-paying”- well, no one’s twisting their arms to buy something they don’t want.
John Moore’s client list includes some of the biggest names in big business who play to win and so buy to win and buy that priceless commodity called Face in the process.
It’s supply and demand and John Moore delivers this supply- quality supply, especially from the UK.
What many forget, however is the “maintenance program” required to keep these high-powered and often demanding owners happy as Larry and continuing to purchase quality equine talent like a long-time owner like Dr Cornel Li, below, who’s owned all those very “Able” horses over the years- and owners who don’t seem to mind their horses competing with each other in, often, the same race.
In all of this Moore talk, let’s not forget what our long-time mate Caspar Fownes has accomplished after, for a while, looking as if he wouldn’t even be granted a trainer’s license in Hong Kong.
Though the son of the now-retired trainer in the popular Lawrie Fownes, one of the most dapperly dressed gentlemen of the turf, Fownes The Younger certainly wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth and a shoe-in to be granted a trainer’s license. Nothing was ever taken for granted.
It still isn’t which is what drives Cas- sometimes bloody mad.
Don’t let his boyish charm and schoolboy sense of humor fool you.
Apart from practically owning Happy Valley races with a remarkable strike rate, and his ability to speak fluent Cantonese and Punjabi, there’s his ongoing mission to keep the now rising seven-year-old ticking every time one thinks this incredible galloper’s number’s up.
This is when Cas goes to work, patches it up, makes it realize that age is only a number and then, as on Sunday at Kranji, let Lucky Nine to do what it does best: Win and here’s hoping this continues when the big-hearted galloper competes next in The Sprinters Stake at Nakayama on October 5.
There are similarities between John Moore and Caspar Fownes and just as many differences.
The bottom line, however, is that both are good for racing, they are their own men and very good and successful world-class trainers and a marquee-value double act that is a marketers dream team.
———————————————
WHY HKJC SIMULCASTS OFTEN MAKE US FEEL LIKE THIS…
…AND THIS…
AND THIS!
No, no, please don’t mention that the simultaneous broadcast on Sunday was shown in its entirety on “ATV HD” as we’re willing to bet that 99.9% of Hong Kong- and many at the HKJC Mothership- are clueless as to where it is and that this channel even exists.
JoJo? Amigos? Friends? Romans? Countrymen? Fred?
Let’s just stick to local terrestrial channel ATV World where, at 5.55pm, viewers watched a race which Zac Purton won before hosts JoJo and Amigo Clint bade viewers a temporary Adieu.
After news breaks, commercial breaks including a depressing anti-gambling PSA, and the program Newsline, viewers were finally back at Kranji at- doh- 8.05pm- and, in time, to see the jubilant carrying-on AFTER the win of Lucky Nine.
What about the various all-ups etc bet on earlier in the day thinking we’d be watching six races from Kranji- without interruptions? No idea.
And we invited friends over and ordered in satay, curries and noodles for our Singapore La La SPG Party for THIS???
———————————————
THE FAST TRACKER FEARS THE WRATH OF THOR AS THE WEATHER GODS GO CRAZY IN HONG KONG!!!
R1 GOLD TARTINI/MOBILE KING/STARLIT WARRIOR/TIPPERARY DAVOR
Who knows after the Morning Of The Heavy Rains today what the track conditions will be like, but I reckon Gold Tartini will be a very hot favorite, and despite the excellent strike rate of David Hall and Joao Moreira, it won’t win this.
R2 REAL FIT/CHINA POWER/EXCEL ONESELF/NAZAKAT’S LAD/
Though Dougie Whyte might have chosen Excel Oneself- a beaten favorite at its last start- over Nazakat’s Lad, which he rode at its last start, I’d still keep my eye on the “discard” despite Derek Leung, below, getting the ride and having to overcome a wide draw.
Much was expected of Nazakat’s Kid at its last start with long-time Hong Kong owner HT Barma even coming to the track for the winning photograph, and even giving me TWO thumbs up-or the finger-but the horse was very disappointing. Maybe the Kid was waiting for today. Maybe.
R3 GOLDEN ADDICTION/GALAXY PRANCER/GRAND ELITE/SPEEDY WINNER
Golden Addiction with Moreira up will be at short odds, but I have doubts about it as it’s really not much good. Then again, none of the other eight runners are any good either, so the best of a mediocre lot could take this race and I should stop over-thinking this it to death.
R4 LORD DRAGON/NEW PET/SPITFIRE/NATURAL TEAM
An even race and a tough first leg of the Triple Trio where there are around eight winning chances.
R5 TWIN TURBO/ROBUST MOMENTUM/CHERYL’S KISS/PLAIN RED BANNER
The first of two Quartet races for the night and for value, I’d suggest this:
6 (multiple banker) x2,3,5,7,12.
R6 LONDON WALK/FUN ‘N GAMES/SIGHT BELIEVER/ROMAN LEGEND
R7 TABLEAUX/WINNIE’S HORSE/FLYING ELITE/JOLLY VICTOR
Huge things were expected of Tableaux at its last start in Shatin when it came up against a softish track. Brett Prebble takes over from the suspended Olivier Doleuze who has been going through a flat spot, and this jockey change and the city track might mean payback time to those who had their fingers burnt at Tableaux’s last start.
R8 ALL WIN BOY/SUNNY FAY/NORDIC ONE/CHEERS JOY
Douglas Whyte has a happy knack of jumping on Nordic One at exactly the right time.
NO Best Bets etc though we’re tipping at least one Longshot saluting.
———————————————
SARIKA’S SOGGY SIX UP
R3- 1,5,6,9 R4- 9,10 R5- 5,6 R6- 2,3 R7- 8 R8- 2,4,10
———————————————
Selections for Happy Valley from Third Dividend 21.5.14
Happy Valley (HKG) Wed 21.5.14 #HValley Night Races @HKJC_Racing Turf (“C+3” Course-Worked Back) Weather: Cloudy with showers and a few squally thunderstorms. The maximum temperature will be around 29 degrees. Moderate south to southwesterly winds, fresh at times. Source: http://www.hko.gov.hk/contente.htm
Race 1: FRANCE GALOP OWNERS DEPARTMENT HANDICAP, 21/05/2014, 19:15, Class 5, Turf, “C+3” Course, 1800m, Good to Yielding 1 – Mobile King (4) 2 – Starlit Warrior (8) 3 – Dark Secret (3) 4 – Humongus (7)
Race 2: DEAUVILLE AUGUST YEARLING SALES HANDICAP, 21/05/2014, 19:45, Class 4, Turf, “C+3” Course, 1000m, Good to Yielding 1 – Excel Oneself (11) 2 – Real Fit (3) 3 – Monte Castello (2) 4 – Brilliant Proposal (1)
Race 3: LONGCHAMP RACECOURSE HANDICAP, 21/05/2014, 20:15, Class 3, Turf, “C+3” Course, 1650m, Good to Yielding 1 – Golden Addiction (6) 2 – Galaxy Prancer (1) 3 – Real Generous (2) 4 – Forgive And Forget (3)
Race 4: EQUIDIA RACING CHANNEL HANDICAP, 21/05/2014, 20:45, Class 4 (Special Condition), Turf, “C+3” Course, 1200m, Good to Yielding 1 – Jade Pippo (9) 2 – Lord Dragon (10) 3 – Demon Demon (3) 4 – Natural Team (11)
Race 5 (Q1): FRENCH RACING & BREEDING COMMITTEE HANDICAP, 21/05/2014, 21:15, Class 4, Turf, “C+3” Course, 1650m, Good to Yielding 1 – Robust Momentum (5) 2 – Southern Springs (10) 3 – Twin Turbo (2) 4 – Joyful Mission (11)
Race 6 (Q2): LE FRENCH MAY TROPHY (HANDICAP), 21/05/2014, 21:45, Class 3, Turf, “C+3” Course, 1000m, Good to Yielding 1 – Sight Believer (3) 2 – Fun N’ Games (1) 3 – London Walk (2) 4 – Roman Legend (5)
Race 7 (Q3): THE FRANCE GALOP CUP (HANDICAP), 21/05/2014, 22:15, Class 2, Turf, “C+3” Course, 1800m, Good to Yielding 1 – Flying Elite (6) 2 – Formula One (11) 3 – Approve (1) 4 – Willie Invictus (5)
Race 8 (Q4): ARC DE TRIOMPHE CHAMPIONSHIPS HANDICAP, 21/05/2014, 22:50, Class 3, Turf, “C+3” Course, 1200m, Good to Yielding 1 – All Win Boy (2) 2 – Nordic One (10) 3 – Silly Buddies (1) 4 – Super Abundante (8)
BEST BET Race 3: Golden Addiction (6)
NEXT BEST Race 8: All Win Boy (2)
VALUE BET Race 4: Jade Pippo (9) – Currently, $6.20/$2.30
LONG SHOT Race 6: Roman Legend (5) – Currently, $10.00/$3.50
QUADDIE ($100 get you 39%) 2.5.10.11 1.2.3.5 1.5.6.11 1.2.8.10
SIX UP 6 9.10 5.10 1.2.3 6 2.10
———————————————
PARTING SHOT
© Fast Track 2014 All Rights Reserved No part of this website or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted, without the prior written consent of the author, unless otherwise indicated for stand-alone materials.
コメント