Master Eight could not cope with a class rise to Group 1 competition while racing at level weights, but he could easily handle a class drop while getting a weight break in the co-featured seventh race Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.
Spanish Mission was third in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at two miles at Flemington Racecourse in Australia last November, and a return appearance in that race at the end of this year is a long-term goal. There is unlikely to be a race at that extended distance for Spanish Mission until November, but there are plenty of distance opportunities that fit the 6-year-old Kentucky-bred, notably Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Flemington.
The three leading contenders in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic at Goulburn Racecourse – Lekvarte, Pretty Amazing, and Roots – are all closers who approach the one-mile race in outstanding form. The result could be decided by which of the fillies gets a clean trip in a full field of 16, who prefers a heavy turf course, and whether Lekvarte tries to snap at one of her many rivals, as she did in her last race.
Invernell is a strong favorite in a one-mile handicap at Sandown on Wednesday. Trained by Clayton Douglas, Invernell was 6-5 in early betting. The gelding tends to race near the front and should be able to handle this slightly longer distance than his last start.
Hong Kong Selections for Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Happy Valley.
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at Happy Valley.
Darci Joy has found his niche racing 1,800 meters at Happy Valley. Will he find his initial foray into Class 3 handicap competition too challenging? And can anyone be found to challenge Savvy Kingman on the lead?
Even after a troubled trip in the stretch, Military Mission was only 1 1/2 lengths away from a win at Royal Ascot in England last June. The gelding will have his second start in Australia in a handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs at Canterbury Park in Sydney on Wednesday.
Draft Day overcame a tardy start to win his debut at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, last September in what turned out be his lone start of 2021. The win looks even more attractive six months later as Draft Day nears his second start in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Ballarat Racecourse on Tuesday.
Hong Kong Selections for Sunday, March 6, 2022 at Sha Tin.
