Diego Kosta totes top weight in Tai Shing Stream Handicap
The soccer star Diego Costa and the racehorse Diego Kosta have been winners this spring.
Diego Costa plays for Chelsea of London in the English Premier League. Chelsea was the champion of the 2016-17 season that ended Sunday.
Half a world away, Diego Kosta is doing his part to keep up winning ways at Hong Kong’s racecourses. Diego Kosta won for the first time in his seventh start during the current Hong Kong season in a five-furlong handicap on turf at Happy Valley on May 3.
A 4-year-old gelding, Diego Kosta is the 133-pound topweight to win Wednesday’s $158,646 Tai Shing Stream Handicap at five furlongs on turf at Happy Valley.
There are reasons to think Diego Kosta can win again. Zac Purton retains the mount on Diego Kosta, who has a favorable draw from post 7 in a field of 11. Diego Kosta races as a stalker who can press the pace if necessary.
In such a short race, there will be several runners in contention early. Circuit King, who will carry 122 pounds, and Most Beautiful, at 128 pounds, tend to race near the front.
Circuit King, fourth behind Diego Kosta on May 3, will be ridden by leading rider Joao Moreira. Circuit King won a five-furlong handicap on turf at Happy Valley in February, the last time Moreira rode the 4-year-old gelding.
Most Beautiful is winless in nine starts this season in Hong Kong but had a dreadful trip racing in traffic when eighth, beaten five lengths, in a six-furlong handicap on turf at Happy Valley on May 10.
Happy Cooperation, who will carry 116 pounds, is a threat among the lower-weighted runners. Happy Cooperation was fourth in handicaps on turf at Happy Valley on April 20 and May 5 his only races at the current season. Happy Cooperation was a game third in a handicap at six furlongs on turf last June, beaten a neck.