Hewitson and Whyte can Star at the Valley once again July 12, 2022 UNDOUBTEDLY one of the highlights of the Happy Valley season has been the blossoming partnership of former South African champion jockey Lyle Hewitson and trainer Douglas Whyte. Whyte took Hewitson under his wing shortly after the young pilot returned to action following a horrific injury, which sidelined him for over five weeks, after a fall [...]
Moreira battles Purton in final Valley meeting July 12, 2022 HAPPY Valley hosts its final meeting of the season with a nine-race programme today. While trainer Frankie Lor may have one hand firmly on the coveted champion trainers’ trophy, it’s still all to play for in the Jockeys’ Championship race. Zac Purton is grimly clinging on to a two-win lead over arch-rival Joao Moreira, with [...]
EP: 145 Newmarket, York, Ascot & Hong Kong July 8, 2022 The Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket heads the list of first class racing this weekend. The Summer Mile is Ascot’s feature race with York staging a handful of competitive handicaps to complete a busy afternoon of flat action. Hugo Palmer has supplemented Flaming Rib for the July Cup and we hear from him on [...]
Moreira trying to remain One Step Ahead of Purton July 5, 2022 PUNTERS face a dilemma when racing gets under way with a nine-race programme at Happy Valley today. Hong Kong racing normally takes place on a good or fast surface, but that has all changed in the past month. The monsoon season seems to have arrived early in the territory, with tropical cyclones, thunderstorms and heavy [...]
Intelligent rider Chadwick can add to his fine seasonal tally July 5, 2022 IT’S GREAT to see talented local jockey Matthew Chadwick back in the limelight in Hong Kong. The former champion apprentice will always be known for his association with legendary grey and two-time Group One winner California Memory, but in recent times it hasn’t been plain sailing for him. The 31-year-old has suffered numerous injuries over [...]
EP: 144 Saving Horses In Ukraine July 5, 2022 In this special episode, we speak to Newmarket trainer Gay Kelleway who, along with many other brave volunteers, are travelling to Europe with much needed supplies helping to save horses who have been left behind due to the war in Ukraine. Hosted by Chris Barnett. Donations for this inspirational project can be made to the official [...]
EP: 143 Sandown & Haydock July 1, 2022 The Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown is the highlight of this weekend’s racing when a field of six take each other on over the mile and a quarter trip. In the feature race we hear from HH Aga Khan’s Racing manager Georges Rimaud regarding the supplemented Vadeni, as well as from jockey David Egan [...]
Musou can give Fownes reason to dance after tough season June 27, 2022 IT IS good to see reigning champion trainer Caspar Fownes finishing the season on a high. The popular handler hasn’t found it easy this campaign, with plenty of his gallopers starting off too high in the handicap and many of his newcomers needing more experience and time to acclimatize. There have obviously been some highs, [...]
Lor could tie up HK trainers’ title with Ecstatic win June 27, 2022 TRAINER Frankie Lor has the chance to all but wrap up the trainers’ championship when racing resumes with an eight-race programme at Happy Valley on Tuesday. Lor – already six winners in front of nearest pursuer John Size with just half-a-dozen meetings remaining of the Hong Kong 21/22 season – looks to have a potential [...]
EP: 142 Newcastle, Newmarket & Hong Kong June 24, 2022 The popular Northumberland Plate is the highlight at Newcastle on Saturday where a maximum field is due to line up in the competitive two mile contest. Newmarket hosts both the Criterion & the Fred Archer Stakes on the same afternoon, with the Irish Derby at the Curragh completing another top day of flat racing. Today [...]