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Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Happy Valley.
The Hong Kong Jockey ClubFeb 26, 2024
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at Happy Valley.
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Luxembourg, the 3-5 favorite in a 13-horse field, got a perfect pressing trip in the $2 million Neom Turf but finished third with no excuse, as Spirit Dancer posted a 13-1 upset. One race later on the Saudi Cup card, dejection became jubilation for Coolmore, trainer Aidan O’Brien, and jockey Ryan Moore won the $2.5 million Red Sea Turf with Tower of London, who had plenty of excuses but needed none.
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The connections of Senor Buscador and their horse on Saturday found themselves under the bright lights at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, smack in the middle of the Arabian Desert, and there, Senor Buscador, breaking through after two tough losses, won the $20 million Saudi Cup by a head, getting up in the final stride over Ushba Tesoro under a perfect ride from Junior Alvarado.
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Based in Japan, Forever Young brought a 3-for-3 record to Saudi Arabia and now heads to Dubai for the UAE Derby next month perfect in four starts. The colt, trained by Yoshito Yahagi, is nominated to the American Triple Crown and connections hope to make the Kentucky Derby. He can earn a spot in that race March 30 in the UAE Derby, which should be easier for Forever Young than the Saudi Derby.
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In the 2023 Riyadh Dirt Sprint at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, the Steve Asmussen-trained Gunite could only finish second to the Bill Mott-trained Elite Power. On Saturday, it's Asmussen who has the horse to beat, Skelly, while Mott makes a repeat bid with Bold Journey.
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After a less-than-inspiring running in 2023, this year's Saudi Cup lives up to its $20 million purse, with an excellent field of 14 set to go postward Saturday night at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
In search of a repeat bid in the All-Star Mile, Mr Bightside begins with a prep in the seven-furlong Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, where he is expected to be the heavy favorite.
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The DBS x Manulife Million Challenge has ended in a tie for the second time in three seasons after Danny Shum’s Copartner Ambition and David Hayes’ Tomodachi Kokoroe shared series honours at Happy Valley on Wednesday (21 February).
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Zac Purton will bid for a fourth G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) win when the six-time Hong Kong champion jockey reunites with Voyage Bubble in the HK$13 million feature at Sha Tin on Sunday (25 February).
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Danny Shum will bid for a fourth victory in the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (21 February) when six horses could potentially claim the series.