Inner Flame worked in first-time blinkers at Sha Tin last Thursday (28 January) morning and trainer Douglas Whyte is pinning his hopes on not only the headgear but a change of scenery to reignite the lightly-raced gelding’s career as he makes his Happy Valley debut in the first section of the Class 3 Lai Chi Kok Handicap (1200m) tomorrow night (Wednesday, 3 February).
Explosive Witness got the best of the weights when he posted a mild upset Jan. 1 in the Group 3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap but takes the worst of them in the featured sixth race Wednesday at Happy Valley.
Glorious Dragon has avenged defeat in the 2020 G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) by denying Exultant a third win in the staying feature while delivering Matthew Poon one of the most important triumphs of his career.
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Happy Valley.
Beachgoer started at 1 7/8 miles for the first time at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 15 and passed the stamina test in brilliant fashion, winning by two lengths at 14-1. A 4-year-old gelding, Beachgoer will be asked to accomplish the same task in a handicap at 1 7/8 miles on Wednesday on the Hillside course at Sandown Park in Melbourne.
Hong Kong Selections for Sunday, January 31, 2021 at Sha Tin
Zac Purton is hopeful Exultant can reprise a winning habit in the G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (31 January) despite concerns Tony Cruz’s staying flagbearer’s elite qualities are in decline.
Exultant on Sunday at Sha Tin will try for his third straight win in the Group 3 Centenary Vase Handicap.
There is a familiarity to the field for Sunday’s Bega Cup at Sapphire Coast Racecourse in Australia. The first four finishers of the Moruya Cup at Moruya Racecourse on Jan. 14, as well as the runners who were seventh and 12th, have drawn into the field of 16 for the Bega Cup. Roseirro, who was fifth at Moruya, is on the also-eligible list for Sunday’s race.
Althiqa closed strongly into a fast pace and easily won the Group 2, $163,000 Cape Verdi Stakes, featured race Thursday on the second program of the 2021 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan.
