Yes, there is a 10-race program Dec. 5 at Sha Tin Racecourse, but attention in the jurisdiction already has turned to the Hong Kong International Races on Dec. 12.
The older horses Highly Desired, Invincible Dash, and Prince of Arragon cannot get rid of each other in Australia these days. The trio was scratched from Friday’s Mudgee Cup at Mudgee Racecourse, only for all three to reappear in the entries for Sunday’s Nowra Cup at Nowra Racecourse. They all three rate as contenders in the one-mile turf race.
Since a second to Mystic Guide in the Dubai World Cup in March, Chuwa Wizard is winless in two subsequent starts in Japan in recent months. He starts in Sunday’s $1.7 million Champions Cup at Chukyo Racecourse with an excellent chance to end 2021 with a win.
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Sha Tin.
Saturday, Mankayan can win his first group stakes in the Group 3 Pakenham Cup at 1 9/16 miles at Pakenham Racecourse, an hour from Melbourne.
Ready to Humble was scratched from the Wodonga Cup on Nov. 26 in favor of Friday’s Mudgee Cup at a mile at Mudgee Racecourse. Ready to Humble was an early favorite for the Wodonga Cup. He is likely to have a similar role in a competitive running of the Mudgee Cup.
Grey Whisper nearly pulled an upset at 150-1 when she finished fifth in her debut at Wangaratta Racecourse in Australia. Grey Whisper won her second start but this time was the 5-2 favorite. She will be a slightly higher price in her debut against winners in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Wangaratta on Thursday.
Hong Kong Selections for Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at Happy Valley.
Take a straw poll of Hong Kong racing people and John Size probably would come up as the best trainer on the circuit. Calculating, measured, and patient, Size, an Australian export, for years has churned out a steady stream of winners, and after a sluggish start to the 2021-22 Hong Kong season his stable is rolling again.
Ballistic Boy was beaten in his first six appearances at Doomben Racecourse prior to the Doomben Mile, but has taken a fancy to the course in the last year. In August and September, Ballistic Boy won consecutive starts at Doomben in lucrative handicaps, leading to a start in Wednesday’s $92,650 Tattersall’s Recognition Stakes at 6 3/4 furlongs at the same track.
