Native Trail gave Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby an unprecedented European classic sweep with a 1 3/4-length triumph Saturday at the Curragh in the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas.
Chairman’s Choice has amassed a seven-race losing streak since September in advance of a start in a handicap at about six furlongs at Albury Racecourse in Australia on Monday. At first glance, the losing streak is discouraging, but a closer glance at the circumstances allows for a measure of forgiveness.
Hong Kong Selections for Sunday, May 22, 2022 at Sha Tin.
.JPG)
Russian Emperor is the highest-rated horse in the Group 1, $1.3 million Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup, the featured sixth race Sunday at Sha Tin. The 5-year-old Irish import, by the great stallion Galileo, has been running in important Hong Kong races for about 15 months now and has raced effectively from 1,600 meters, about one mile, to 2,000 meters.
Saunter Boy is perfect in hurdle races in Australia this year as he nears his richest start of the season in Sunday’s $105,200 Australian Hurdle at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne.
The Japanese stakes-winning filly Erika Vita may have a slight edge over her high-profile rivals in Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese Oaks at Tokyo Racecourse.
Tuesday looks like the leading hope to give trainer Aidan O'Brien his 11th win in the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas. She's one of four Aidan O'Brien-trained entrants among 14 three-year-old fillies entered in the one-turn-mile Classic at The Curragh.
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for May 22, 2022 at Sha Tin.
Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby already this spring have won the English 2000 Guineas with Coroebus and the French 2000 Guineas with Modern Games, and on Saturday at The Curragh they will widely be expected to land the Group 1, $530,000 Irish 2000 Guineas with Native Trail.
The Group 1 Doomben Cup at Doomben Racecourse in May 2021 propelled the former British runner Zaaki to the fore of the Australian older horse division. A year later, Zaaki has maintained that status in the division in advance of a start in Saturday’s $705,000 Doomben Cup at 1 1/4 miles.
