Fingers Crossed for a big-Sized Valley Reward ONCE again bettors on Hong Kong racing will need to keep a watchful eye on the weather when the midweek meeting at Happy Valley gets underway with a nine-race programme. With rain and thunderstorms forecast to hit the territory for 48 hours, starting on Tuesday, some gallopers arriving at the inner-city track could find themselves [...]
Turin Mascot could turn out to be Pierre Ng’s lucky charm SERIOUS form book students are once again faced by the dilemma of perennial place-getter Rocket Spade seeking to defy top-weight and record an overdue first Hong Kong win in the Sam Chuk Handicap (2.45pm) over nine furlongs. The former New Zealand Derby winner has had his supporters tearing their hair out with frustration this season, [...]
Take four outsiders to cause Derby shock WE ALL know that one man usually dominates the headlines in Flat racing, but if Frankie Dettori wins today’s Derby (1.30pm), then it really will be a story that not only takes over the back pages of tomorrow’s newspapers, but likely the front ones too. The Italian has pretty much won everything there is to [...]
Dettori chilled ahead of Derby farewell June 2, 2023 EPSOM’s weighing room will be full of tension, nerves and anticipation on Saturday afternoon, as 14 jockeys prepare for the most revered horse race in the world, the Derby. Yet, the man who’s getting a leg-up in the race for the final time is showing no such emotion. Frankie Dettori, who announced his retirement from [...]
Youthful to make a winning Deal at Sha Tin June 2, 2023 HONG KONG racing enthusiasts can look forward to lie in on Sunday morning when the Sha Tin race programme starts at a later-than-usual 9.00am. This is due to a Hong Kong Jockey Club initiative of introducing ‘Twilight Racing’ at Sha Tin for the purpose of welfare to horses and jockeys, with continuous sweltering heat in [...]
Hewitson can Chow down on another winner June 2, 2023 ONE OF the feel-good factors associated with Hong Kong racing this season has been the continued rise in the jockey ranks of former three-time South African champion Lyle Hewitson. The 25-year-old first tried his luck in the city back in 2019, but was soon sent packing with his tail between his legs, after riding only [...]
EP: 204 Epsom Derby Day & Hong Kong June 2, 2023 One of the world’s greatest races takes place at Epsom racecourse on Saturday when the 3 year old colts line up in the Betfred Derby on what is always a great day of flat racing. Today we hear from Irish trainers Aidan O’Brien and John Joseph Murphy ahead of the big race. City AM Racing [...]
The Punter Summary Podcast 04 June June 2, 2023 Here’s your chance to hear all of City AM racing editor Bill Esdaile’s best weekend tips in a short summary episode of ‘The Punter Podcast’ alongside Chris Barnett. The full weekend preview is also available on the City AM website. The Punter ‘The Punter’ has been City AM’s dedicated sports betting section for over a [...]
EP: 203 Epsom Oaks Day June 1, 2023 The first day of the Epsom Derby meeting gets underway on Friday with the fillies taking centre stage in the Betfred Oaks over the famous mile and a half trip. We are joined by Irish maestro trainer Aidan O’Brien who runs his impressive Chester winner Savethelastdance in this year’s renewal. City AM Racing editor Bill [...]
Warrior’s Party a Nice place to Be at the Valley May 30, 2023 YOU CAN guarantee there will be groans of apprehension from serious bettors on Hong Kong racing when they see that mid-week racing at Happy Valley is once again on the infamous C+3 track, where the width of the course is a narrow 19.5 metres. If that wasn’t bad enough, the weather forecast will cause more [...]