Rachael Blackmore, 31, became the first female rider to win the Grand National steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse in England, guiding Minella Times ($34) to a comfortable victory by 6 1/2 lengths over longshot stablemate Balko Des Flos, who was more than 100-1.
The fourth race at Grafton Racecourse in Australia on Monday is open to males and females, but it’s four fillies and mares figure to play a vital role in the outcome of the handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs.
Hong Kong Selections for Sunday, April 10, 2021 at Sha Tin.
Joao Moreira already has 108 winners during the 2020-21 Hong Kong season, best on the circuit by 18 over Zac Purton, and he may be sitting on at least two more steamers on Sunday at Sha Tin.
The course and distance of Sunday’s Grade 1 Japanese 1000 Guineas at Hanshin Racecourse will be familiar to Sodashi. As of Friday morning, Sodashi was the 3-2 favorite in a field of 18. Trained by Naosuke Sugai for Kaneko Makoto Holdings Comp., Sodashi has won at distances ranging from a mile to 1 1/8 miles in her brief career.
For his 2021 debut, Kissinger will start for the first time at Ballarat Racecourse in Australia in a one-mile handicap on turf on Sunday.
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, April 11, 2021 at Sha Tin.
In his second start of 2021, Mugatoo won the $3.85 million All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley Racecourse on March 13 by a half-length over the top-class colt Russian Camelot. Saturday at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Mugatoo will be favored to win his second seven-figure race of the year in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile.
The Grand National steeplechase, run at Aintree Racecourse in England on Saturday, has been on the minds of owners and trainers with leading prospects for months.
In her first three starts this year, Silent Tryst won a maiden race at six furlongs at Gosford Racecourse, finished second in her debut against winners in a seven-furlong handicap for fillies and mares at Newcastle, and won a seven-furlong handicap against males at Orange Racecourse. Those results give Silent Tryst the role of favorite in a handicap against males at 7 1/2 furlongs at Muswellbrook Racecourse on Friday.
