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Hong Kong Racing Recap
Date: March 21, 2018
Track: Happy Valley
Track Bias: None
Races that have become Key Races after today’s results: 370 & 419
Notes for the day:
Race 1 (512): Both Wealthy Fortune (30) and Supernatural (8) became rank in the first run by the grandstand when Lai on Gentleman (18) grabbed him up slowing the pace to almost a walk. At the 850 mark with the slow pace Rispoli decided to make a move to the front on Sweet Bean (35) that turned out to be a winning one. Savannah Wind (40) and Loaded (37) were at least three wide in every turn, and Pearl Furu (36) was in the first turn that may have cost him the race.
Race 2 (513): No excuses for Whyte not to get Nice Fandango (51) home, was allowed an easy lead but hit the wall at the 100 metre mark and staggered home only to be caught at the wire by longshot Happy Bao Bei (59). He raced on the rail a few lengths off the pace setter and was the first one to jump on the tiring pace setter. Lightning Missile (44) who had been away from racing since last October was a step slow from the gate but finished very well in the lane while never really getting any room to extend himself, he was only a 1 ¼ back at the wire and that’s very impressive considering Clipperton never hit him once in the last 200 metres of the race. Looks to be a very soft Class 4 race with 9 runners within 2 lengths of the winner at the wire.
Race 3 (514): Lucky Storm (44) who usually likes to run near the lead was a length slow out of the gate and forced him to race at the rear, while Magic Agility (40) was wide for the entire trip. Unique Joyful (40) was also wide in both turns, but on the backside Chadwick decided to force the issue a little and rushed him into the duel with the eventual winner Planet Star (60). Play It (49) was 6 wide entering the stretch but wasn’t fast enough to catch the winner but only missed top spot by a long neck, See Me Now (56) was a closing third after being steadied at the rear of the field at the 380 mark.
Race 4 (515): Pakistan Baby (62) had been running strictly on the dirt at Sha Tin even though he has shown an affection for the city track, Cruz finally brought him back to Happy Valley and he popped out of the gate was allowed to get an easy lead he did have to struggle home but had just enough to hold off Clear Choice (48) at the wire. Clear Choice looked like he was going to go by, but either he hung or is refusing to pass others when he reaches the leader. Golden Glory (49) was gaining on the top two at the wire and might have gone by but it took him too long to get to his proper lead step in the lane and just missed out by a neck.
Race 5 (516): Habitual front runner Best Step (73) with Purton on after being away from the track since October leaped at the start. Winner Orionids (71) sat a couple lengths off the lone speed runner Gamechangers (72) on the rail and when the pace setter drifted out entering the stretch then refused to switch leads Wong was able to scoot under him and outrun him to the wire. Phantom Falcon (64) most likely lost this race at the draw, was three wide in the turn and just couldn’t overcome the added distance he had to travel versus the winner. Fantastic Feeling (72) closed after having to enter the stretch the widest of all, and Master Albert (65) after being rank early on was three wide in the turn. California Aspar (61) looked very tired passing the wire.
Race 6 (517): A need to lead type I’m A Witness (42) sat and then leaped out of the gate losing three lengths to the rest and his race was over after 2 feet, also at the start Association Fans (43) threw his head and hesitated then was pinched back immediately afterwards. My Blessing (39) and Sichuan Boss (58) were wide in both turns (I curse Tommy Berry) and Ho was unable to get Bo Duke (45) over in the first turn and was 4 wide until half-way on the backside. Winner Mr Kool (54) as Trevor Denman would say ‘looked like he joined them at the quarter poll’, he came flying home and just got by Lucky Time (62) and Spinning Dancer (47) who both had easier trips than our winner.
Race 7 (518): Leung on Silverfield (65) tried to make the backside move to the front, but unfortunately for Lueng’s sake he forced Doleuze on Big Bang Bong (74) to check up costing him a couple race days. Winner Roman Impero (69) was able to get up without too much encouragement by Whyte in the stretch (Doug hit him 8 times compared to Silverfield hit by Leung 22 times!) there should be lots left in the tank next time out. Friends Of Ka Ying (78) closed well after being wide in the turn.
Race 8 (519): The favourite Shanghai Master (74) was a recipient of a perfect trip, 2 wide sitting right behind a duel that the second place finisher Cheerfuljet (70) was having to deal with multiple runners (Exceptional Desire (63) and Good Companion (60)) putting pressure on him. Jade Theatre (79) was outrun in the stretch and nothing closed on the winner late.
Horses to watch for next out list:
Race 5 (516) #3 Best Step (73): Had been away since last October when he was put on the shelf with a lame left hind leg. Casper was able to secure Purton for the ride so obviously the problem with the hind leg has been solved, at the start he took a nice leap costing him at least a couple lengths to the field but more importantly it took him right out of his comfort zone of running at the front of the pack. Then when he straightened up coming out of the short turn he had to check up and became rank and refused to get into a comfortable gate until half-way in the turn. There was no urging by Zach in lane and galloped out past the wire.
Horses to avoid next out:
Race 4 (515): Pakistan Baby (62): Was all out at the wire after getting a perfect lone speed trip, picks up 5 rating points for a total of 62 which will put him back up to Class 3.
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@ShaTinRacing
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