The rapidly improving gelding Declares War faces several rivals with recent losses in group-level stakes in Friday’s $155,100 Albury Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Albury Racecourse in Australia.
Al Boum Photo on Friday can became the first three-time winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup since Best Mate in 2002-04.
Field size will not be an issue on the Dubai World Cup card of March 27. The Dubai Racing Club on Wednesday announced likely entrants for the World Cup program and six of the eight Thoroughbred races are expected to lure 14 or 15 runners.
Paisley Park was a popular winner of the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle as the 6-5 favorite at Cheltenham Racecourse in 2019, rolling from the back of the field to take the lead after the final obstacle in the three-mile race. Last year, Paisley Park was seventh at odds of 4-6 in the Stayers’ Hurdle, never playing a factor. This year, Paisley Park will be favored again to win Thursday’s $333,432 Stayers’ Hurdle following a winter campaign of two starts – a second in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and a win in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.
Hong Kong Selections for Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Happy Valley.
Gallant Crown will look to extend his unbeaten run to four when he lines up in Wednesday’s (17 March) Class 3 Hereford Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley and jockey Karis Teetan is optimistic that he can continue his climb up the handicap.
Magnavale, a 6-year-old Australian-bred mare, has exceeded expectations in three starts this year, winning once and finishing second twice at odds of 10-1 or higher in sprint races. Thursday, Magnavale will be the focus for bettors in the Barlens City Handicap at about six furlongs at Albury Racecourse in Australia.
Contenders abound in the feature ninth race Wednesday at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong. Called the Chester Handicap, the last race on the card is a Class 2 over 1,200 meters for horses rated 100-80, and it drew a full field of 12.
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Happy Valley.
Petronius starts in a seven-furlong handicap on the infield Kensington course at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.
