The French 3-year-old Almanzor in May had started five times. His appearances in two Group races had produced a seventh and a third, and even after winning a Group 3 in May, he was a 20-1 shot to win the French Derby. Win it he did, though, and now, as he goes off to rest for the winter, Almanzor looks like the best horse in Europe following a decisive victory over Found in the Group 1 Champion Stakes on Saturday at Ascot.
A pair of sprint handicaps, one at five furlongs and the other at seven, both for horses officially rated 100 down to 80, are co-featured Sunday at Sha Tin in Hong Kong, but the seven-furlong race, the last of 11 on the card, stands out due to the presence of the exciting prospect Pakistan Star.
Even by his lofty standards, trainer Aidan O'Brien is on a roll, and with strong chances in four of the five Group races Saturday at Ascot on QIPCO British Champions Day, the O'Brien train doesn't appear to be slowing anytime soon.
Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong Selections and analysis for Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016
Hong Kong Selections for Wednesday, October 12 at Happy Valley
Happy Cheers can win his first race in Hong Kong in the $159,196 Yew Handicap at six furlongs at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday.
Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong Selections and analysis for Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Rhododendron and Hydrangea gave trainer Aidan O’Brien a sweep of the first two positions in Friday’s $661,860 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket Racecourse, the second time in recent weeks that the Irish trainer has finished first and second in a Group 1 for 2-year-old fillies in England.
Hong Kong selections for Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016
Churchill is the early favorite for the 2017 English 2000 Guineas and therefore will be heavily favored Saturday at Newmarket in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes for 2-year-olds over seven furlongs.
