The Irish-bred colt Russian Camelot won his Group 1 debut in Saturday’s South Australian Derby at Morphettville creating Australian history as the first Northern Hemisphere-bred to win a derby in Australia.
For an eighth-place finish, Ashman was not beaten far in the Tamworth Cup in Australia on April 26, finishing 2 1/4 lengths behind Ligulate in the seven-furlong race. The loss extended Ashman’s losing streak to four races, but the 4-year-old gelding has every chance to rebound against an easier group in an open handicap at 7 3/4 furlongs at Murwillumbah Racecourse.
Think We’re Due starts in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles Sunday at Ballarat Racecourse, northwest of Melbourne. Conditions appear to be in his favor.
Owner Peter Brant and his American trainer Chad Brown are playing a waiting game right now. No Keeneland, no New York, and no spring action for elite performers like Sistercharlie. In France, Brant is back in business. Spectator-free racing is set to resume across France on Monday, and at Longchamp, Brant's 2019 Prix du Jockey Club hero, Sottsass, is expected to make his 4-year-old debut in the Prix d'Harcourt.
Ballistic King convincingly outfinished Beauty Legacy getting a 19-pound weight break in a Class 2 handicap on April 12 at Sha Tin. Things aren't changing much Saturday.
Declan Schuster's Hong Kong selections and analysis for Saturday, May 9, 2020 at Sha Tin.
Inquiry, a 5-year-old Southern Hemisphere gelding, has been a well-traveled sort since his career debut in October 2016 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.
Saturday, Dalasan starts in the longest race of his career, the Group 1 South Australian Derby at 1 9/16 miles for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds at Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide. As of Wednesday, Dalasan was the 2-1 favorite in future-book betting against 13 rivals in the $257,200 race.
Hong Kong selections for Happy Valley on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
With two wins in her first three races, Alchermes is off to a fine start and could be the beneficiary of a low weight assignment in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs on Thursday at Kembla Grange Racecourse in Australia.
