Change of luck on the cards for Hewitson and Happy Soul January 10, 2023 FORMER South African Champion Jockey Lyle Hewitson finally looks set for a change of luck when he renews his association with the Danny Shum-trained HAPPY SOUL in division three of the Great George Handicap (12.45pm) over six furlongs. Hewitson is presently lying fifth in the jockeys’ championship table with 16 victories, but has had a [...]
Dragon and Sinba to take Mighty Strides at Sha Tin January 6, 2023 IT’S UNUSUAL for popular trainer Danny Shum to be so bullish about the future prospects of one of his stable gallopers, so it could pay to respect NORDIC DRAGON, who lines-up in an attempt to complete a hat-trick in the Tsz Wan Shan Handicap (9.10am) over seven furlongs. Shum believes he has a potential future [...]
Fownes to launch surprise attack with Viva Chaleur January 6, 2023 HORSE racing enthusiasts need to set their alarm clock early on Sunday morning, when Sha Tin hosts an exciting and potentially informative 11-race programme. The feature race on the card, the Group Three Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (8.35am) over the straight five furlongs, includes the some of the fastest local horses in training. With the [...]
EP: 176 Sandown, Wincanton & Hong Kong January 6, 2023 The 2 mile Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle is the feature race at Sandown on Saturday with more jumps action staged in the south-west of the country at Wincanton. In form trainer Charlie Longsdon joins us as our special guest discussing the exciting Rare Edition and Snow Leopardess who runs in the Veterans’ Chase at Sandown. [...]
January 7th – Punter Podcast Summary January 6, 2023 You can now hear all of City AM racing editor Bill Esdaile’s 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 decade with [...]
British horse racing chiefs U-turn over “disaster” whip rules January 4, 2023 British horse racing chiefs have been forced into a U-turn over proposed changes to whipping rules after criticism from jockeys. The British Horseracing Authority were set to change a number of rules in relation to jockeys whipping horses, restricting riders to only backhand whipping with harsher punishments for rule breaches. Riders challenged the potential changes, [...]
Put Faith in Heroic Purton to start 2023 with a Flash January 3, 2023 NO PRIZES for guessing reigning champion Zac Purton is the jockey to follow when racing resumes for the first time in 2023 at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The five-time HK champion, who celebrated his 40th birthday yesterday, has surprisingly only six rides on the nine-race programme, but all can be given first-rate chances. With a [...]
Chung to build on recent success with Villa Fionn January 3, 2023 WITH a field consisting of some pretty ordinary middle-distance performers, and many looking past their sell-by dates, division one of the Tsun Yip Handicap (11:45am) over the extended mile at Happy Valley won’t take much winning. Newcomer Eighteen Palms will be the focus of attention, especially with Zac Purton in the saddle, after leading all [...]
Keefy can land knockout blow in third Beautyverse duel December 23, 2022 ROUND three of the match-up between KEEFY and Beautyverse sees the two exciting four-year-olds go head-to-head in the Poinsettia Handicap (9.45am) over a mile. The scores stand at one apiece, after the former South Australian Derby winner Beautyverse beat Keefy on his debut over a mile last month, but the latter then gained revenge in [...]
Ho to bring home the festive cheer on Dinkum and Warrior December 23, 2022 FROM a personal view there was no Christmas cheer at Happy Valley on Wednesday, when both selections finished runner-up, but both should have won! Hopefully the gods of fortune will smile more kindly when racing at Sha Tin gets underway with a Christmas Eve 10-race programme on Saturday, with eight races on turf, and two [...]