High-flying Ng to strike again with Banner December 19, 2023 WHEN racegoers arrive at Happy Valley today, they will surely be mindful that with only a few more shopping days left before Christmas it’s paramount they can provide the all-important turkey on the table for next Monday. With the stable of trainer Pierre Ng continuing to roll out the winners and showing no signs of [...]
Atzeni and Maverick should leave punters on Giddy high December 19, 2023 IT IS difficult to oppose fast-improving SIMPLY MAVERICK in the Uranus Handicap (1.45pm) over the extended mile. This son Sebring ran away from his opposition when delivering an emphatic victory over the course and distance a fortnight ago and despite a 10-pound penalty is clearly capable of successfully following-up. Having shown encouraging signs of ability [...]
Caspar Fownes hoping for some good Karma at Sha Tin December 15, 2023 RACING is back at Sha Tin on Sunday with a 10-race programme on both the all-weather and turf and features the £280,000 Lukfook Jewellery Cup (8.10am), a Class Two handicap over five furlongs. The city still seems to be on a high following last Sunday’s hugely exciting and highly emotive success of Golden Sixty in [...]
In-form Ng’s Jumbo could win punters a Fortune December 15, 2023 TO SAY 40-year-old trainer Pierre Ng has taken his profession by storm in Hong Kong this season would be an understatement. The second-season handler has bounded clear in the trainers’ title race, putting clear daylight between himself and his rivals with 32 wins, 10 victories clear of his nearest pursuer. Ng, who always catches the [...]
EP: 243 Cheltenham, Doncaster & Hong Kong December 15, 2023 The two-day Cheltenham ‘Christmas Meeting’ culminates on Saturday with a host of competitive races, the highlight being the December Gold Cup Handicap Chase, run over an extended two and a half miles. Doncaster also stages jumps racing in front of the TV cameras on Saturday afternoon where Rare Edition is due to line up for [...]
Ridoto and Hurricane look storming bets in December Gold Cup December 12, 2023 WHEN I was looking back through the recent winners of Saturday’s December Gold Cup (1.50pm) at Cheltenham, one statistic stood out like a sore thumb. Favourites have a terrible record in the race and you have to go all the way back to 2009 and Poquelin to find the last market leader who emerged victorious. [...]
Back Bonttay to Nurse a way through Cheltenham nightcap December 12, 2023 LUCCIA is the big draw in Saturday’s finale at Cheltenham, the 2m4f mares’ handicap hurdle (3.35pm), and while she heads the market there are reasons to take Nicky Henderson’s mare on. While she has run well on both her starts this season – well-fancied when sent off 11/8 and 6/1 – connections will surely be [...]
McDonald Missile to become latest winning Moment December 12, 2023 FOLLOWING all the high drama and excitement for racegoers at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races meeting at Sha Tin last Sunday, it’s back to the city-track at Happy Valley for a nine-race programme, starting at 10.40am today. One of the highlights last Sunday, other than the magnificent performance of the ‘people’s champion’, Golden Sixty, [...]
Purton and Newnham set for success with Scotch Tycoon December 12, 2023 BANK on reigning Champion Jockey Zac Purton to provide rookie trainer Mark Newnham with another winner when the combination team up with in-form SCOTCH TYCOON in the second division of the Kwun Tong Handicap (1.10pm) over six furlongs. The former Australian handler Newnham had plenty of success in his home country, notably when assisting legendary [...]
Sixty puts in Golden performance December 11, 2023 HONG Kong’s champion miler Golden Sixty lit up the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday with a mesmerising performance in the Group One LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. Ridden by regular pilot Vincent Ho, who was following up his victory in Wednesday’s International Jockeys’ Championship, the eight-year-old produced a blistering turn [...]