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Just had a look on the nomination on World Cup Night:
On good or fast ground, I cannot see Librisa Breeze can win it at all. He needs rain to help but interestingly the race was run on softer ground last year. Normally Australia and HK sprinters should have advantage on good or fast ground. Music Magnate is the best one among the Australians. Amazing Kids failed to handle soft ground last year.
But I am still surprised that D P Pin was only nominated in Golden Shaheen but not also Al Quoz.
Surely crazy race but no punters would be allowed to be affected anyway. The race took place in China (seems to be in Wuhan) where no legal betting is allowed.
Even no betting is allowed, there are regular meetings in different parts of China.
A little late news about Peacock. It seems he will continue racing in New Zealand after disappearing from the public for almost 2 years.
Peacock, 2nd to Time Test and Golden Horn in 2015, now in training with Martin da Cruz in New Zealand. Was with his dad Derek in Hong Kong briefly, but did not race here. Formerly owned by Queen Elizabeth II #horseracing pic.twitter.com/gyIsxDuhkK
— Andrew Hawkins (@AndrewNJHawkins) December 20, 2017
Profile Page at nzracing.co.nz showing Inactive, possibly due to not having a run there yet. It should be noted that he is now trained by Martin Cruz, son of HK based trainer Derek Cruz.
https://www.nzracing.co.nz/Common/SystemTemplates/Modal/EntryDetail.aspx?HorseID=350814&DisplayContext=ModalA close 2nd again for Simply Brilliant.
He seems to take a while to accelerate. Possibly stepping up in trip next time.
The Tin Man is out of HK Sprint: http://racingnews.hkjc.com/english/2017/12/05/the-tin-man-the-longines-hong-kong-sprint-group-1/
Nassa who run well in last 2 races had a tendon injury and out of the race.
SCMP’s report on Nassa: http://www.scmp.com/sport/racing/article/2122679/tendon-injury-rules-tony-millards-nassa-out-hong-kong-cup
Kiseki who won Japanese St Leger last time out, is now being segregated from other horses as he is found to have a skin infection. Interestingly, he did a trackwork at Shatin on Monday morning. It is not sure that he can run in HK Vase. Originally, I think he and Talismanic are the 2 horses to beat.
http://racingnews.hkjc.com/english/2017/12/04/kiseki-the-longines-hong-kong-vase/
Joni,
Good news for you. Simply Brilliant (formerly named Senator) is entered in Class 3 1,200m race in Shatin on Sunday.
He finished in 2nd place last time in Happy Valley.
HKJC today released the form guide for the 4 international races. PDF file can be downloaded in this link: http://campaigns.hkjc.com/hkir/en/racing-news/2017-longines-hong-kong-international-races-form-guide
Theme website by HKJC: http://campaigns.hkjc.com/hkir/en/?b_cid=CSLDSPA_HPNAG_1718HKIR
HKJC published a media guide: http://campaign.hkjc.com/en/hkir/hkir-media-guide-eng-2017.pdf
Later this week, there should be a form guide for the runners in the website.
The last European winner in this race is Firebreak in 2004. In 2013, Moonlight Cloud finished in sixth place and Sky Lantern finished in last place.
A local TV tipster always states that all HK top milers weigh well more than 1,000 pounds. For example, Able Friend weighs more than 1,200 pounds. That tipster suggest those weigh around 950 pounds cannot win this big race. Of course, you may argue Firebreak weighed around 950 pounds when winning the race in 2004.
http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/results.asp?racedate=12/12/2004&raceno=07&venue=ST
If you are interested, HKJC will announce the body weight of the runners 2 days before meeting. You can check that in the racecard on their website.
Joni,
As wit suggested, tourist badge is a better package for you. The member stand is generally less busy than the public stand and closer to the paddock and the track. You may also refer to the link below for the map of Happy Valley racecourse:
http://entertainment.hkjc.com/entertainment/english/go-racing/happy-valley-racecourse.aspx (Opening time for Happy Valley will be 4:45 next Wed as there will be 9 races, 1 more than usual)
For Happy Valley racecourse, the paddock is just next the finish line. So you can stay there to get most of the actions. In the past few years, International Jockey Championship involves Race 4, 5, 7 and 8, 3 of them over 1650m and one over 1000m. Before the race 4, there is an opening ceremony on the track and in front of the stand (if the weather allows) and there should be a firework display. After the race 8, the trophy presentation will take place at the same place as the opening ceremony. You can have a close look of the jockeys if you are on the public stand side of the paddock after the trophy presentation. I believe it is quite good to stay around the Beer Garden for those 1650m races as the races start in front of the stands.
For transportation, I will recommend you travel to the racecourse by tram (known as Ding Ding among locals). Link for the route map: https://www.hktramways.com/en/interactive-map/
There is a terminal at Happy Valley and the walk to the public stand entrance only takes 5 mins. It takes around 30 mins if you take the tram in Wanchai. Only trams showing Happy Valley as terminal will stop in Happy Valley otherwise you may find yourself getting somewhere else.
For the International Meeting, there should be a closing ceremony after race 10 (around 6pm). A longer firework display will close the meeting.
I believe I will not be at Shatin for the International Meeting. But it may be possible to attend next Wednesday (it depends when leaving office
).Joni,
This link should help you. http://campaigns.hkjc.com/hkir/en/go-racing-tourist-offer
It is free to attend in the public stand with showing the passport on that day. A huge crowd is expected in the public stand (probably 60K). It may not be easy to get between paddock and trackside as the paddock is behind the main stand.
This link shows the general information for Shatin Racecourse:
http://entertainment.hkjc.com/entertainment/english/go-racing/sha-tin-racecourse.aspxSenator will be the first Frankel runner in Hong Kong next Wednesday. Renamed as Simply Brilliant, he enters a 1200m (¬6F) handicap in Happy Valley. He trialled twice earlier.
Trackwork records: http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/Track_Result.asp?txtHorse_BrandNo=B090
I thought Paddy Power outdid StanJames this time:
The BHA did have an investigation. This from the Guardian, dated Feb 5 2015:
The BHA too has now decided that no formal charges will arise from the recording, although both jockeys will be informed that their conduct was unacceptable at a meeting which it is understood Nick Rust, the new chief executive of the BHA, will also attend.
“Having interviewed both Dwyer and Mulrennan, and taken all reasonable steps available to investigate the matter, the British Horseracing Authority does not consider that the evidence available justifies charging either rider with misconduct under BHA’s Rules of Racing,” Robin Mounsey, the BHA’s spokesman, said on Thursday.
“While the BHA is conscious of the fact that neither rider admitted that the recording was a complete or wholly accurate record of the conversation that took place between them, BHA expresses grave disapproval that two licensed jockeys found it appropriate to hold any sort of conversation of the nature apparent from the recording.
“The BHA is disappointed that senior jockeys considered such a conversation appropriate on any terms and will speak further with both jockeys in due course. In the meantime, BHA reminds all jockeys of the standards of behaviour and integrity that are expected of them at all times.”
News to me steeplechasing lol.
Would this sort of behaviour be acceptable in other racing countries without the jockeys being punished eg Hong Kong?
Only a couple of months ago 2 South African jockeys were suspended for 3 months for just being on a boat and socialising with a bookmaker, meanwhile here jockeys are sponsored and work for bookmakers. What about the integrity of the sport and what sort of message does that send out?Securing a conviction for the offence is not necessary, it is not a court of law it is a governing body.
The BHA saw fit to state that both jockeys behaviour was unacceptable and they expressed grave disapproval that such a conservation should take place between two licensed jockeys and reminded all jockeys regards integrity and behaviour.A charge of bringing the game into disrepute would not looked out of place here with an appropriate suspension of licence. Could you really see either jockey appealing against such a decision? What would be their defence? Paul Struthers is too wise an old owl to allow that too happen and the resulting bad publicity that the case would receive.
Instead we have a weak BHA neatly sweeping everything under the carpet.
No wonder a high percentage of the general public in a recent survey think horse racing is one of the most corrupt sports.
Last year a local jockey got lengthy suspension which in turn ended his career.
He made headlines recently as he is being filed for bankruptcy last month.
However, the local media feels one or two foreign jockeys are protected by the stewards and never being seriously questioned for some controversial rides.
Racing Post had some reactions from both jockey and trainers:
).