Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong selections and analysis: Sept. 18, 2016
Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong selections and analysis: Sept. 18, 2016
DRF StaffSep 15, 2016
Andrew Hawkins' Hong Kong selections and analysis: Sept. 18, 2016
Winx, Australia’s leading horse, can extend her winning streak to 11 races when she starts as an overwhelming favorite in Saturday’s Group 1 George Main Stakes at a mile on turf at Royal Randwick, outside of Sydney.
Joseph O’Brien, son of leading trainer Aidan O’Brien, won the first Group 1 of his career as a trainer when 25-1 Intricately finished a nose in front of the Aidan O’Brien-trained Hydrangea, a 7-1 shot who set the pace.
The Japanese 3-year-old Makahiki won the Group 2 Prix Niel on Sunday at Chantilly, taking a solid step toward his major goal this fall, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 2.
Astern, an Australian-bred colt by Medaglia d’Oro, won the first Group 1 race of his career in Saturday’s $767,200 Golden Rose Stakes for 3-year-olds at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse near Sydney, Australia.
Brett Davis' and Paul Lally's selections for Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, at Sha Tin.
The Prix Vermeille for fillies is the lone Group 1 prep race for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on the Sunday card at Chantilly, but it is the Group 2 Prix Niel for 3-year-olds that will attract the most attention. The race features the European debut of Makahiki, the latest Japanese horse in France to try and win the Arc.
The group stakes winners Brave Anna and Rhododendron are part of trainer Aidan O'Brien's deep four-runner team in Sunday's Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at The Curragh in Ireland, a race that could have implications for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 4.
Minding and Idaho give Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien strong favorites in two Group 1 races on both sides of the Irish Sea on Saturday in the $1.4 million Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and the $931,980 English St. Leger at Doncaster.
All You Wish and Joyful Trinity ended the 2015-16 Hong Kong season with wins in June and July. When they have their first starts of the 2016-17 season in Sunday’s Kwangtung Handicap at Sha Tin Racecourse, the pair will face two rivals in Helene Super Star and Horse of Fortune with recent group-race form.