Storm Boy has been impossible to catch in four starts against Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds in Australia since his debut in early December, winning by at least 1 1/4 lengths in each race after racing prominently.
The Australian-bred Switzerland has been impossible to hold off from off the pace in three starts since his debut in late January, going unbeaten and often showing a fine display of late speed.
Miracle Spin flew through the final furlong of a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, on March 2 to miss winning by a short head.
The narrow loss served as a prep for the richest race of Miracle Spin’s career in the $130,600 Albury Gold Cup at the same distance at Albury Racecourse on Thursday evening.
Miracle Spin was the 2-1 favorite in a field of 11 as of early Wednesday, a slight choice over two attractive rivals in Fawkner Park and So United.
Paul Lally:
R1 6-10-12-1
R2 3-7-4-8
R3 8-5-3-1
R4 1-4-11-9
R5 4-6-10-7
R6 3-12-5-8
R7 6-4-5-2
R8 6-7-4-8
R9 10-11-3-1
Best Bet R6 N3 Gallant Valour
Longshot R5 N4 E Universe
Play Race2 QQP 3-4-7
Tom Wood:
R1: 6-10-5-1
R2: 3-7-2-5
R3: 5-3-8-10
R4: 4-11-3-5
R5: 6-1-7-10
R6: 3-2-5-12
R7: 2-6-4-10
R8: 5-4-10-6
R9: 10-3-4-5
By Declan Schuster
Lyle Hewitson is confident Speed Dragon can handle the distance rise in Sunday’s (24 March) HK$26 million 147th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin.
Untested over the trip, Speed Dragon finished an impeded fourth in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) before travelling wide throughout when ninth in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) – both races were won by Helios Express.
By Declan Schuster
Massive Sovereign burst onto the scene earlier this month and Zac Purton believes the Irish-bred’s ability to quickly adapt to different circumstances can prove decisive in Sunday’s (24 March) HK$26 million 147th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin.
The four-year-old demolished a solid Class 3 field on debut in Hong Kong over this weekend’s course and distance. He’ll make just his second start in the city when he lines up in Sha Tin’s most-famed and desired contest after arriving as a two-time winner in Ireland for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
The brilliant steeplechaser Galopin Des Champs won the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second consecutive year at Cheltenham Racecourse in Britain on Friday, giving jockey Paul Townend a record-equaling fourth career win in the race’s 100th running.
Townend joined 1960s star Pat Taafe as the only four-time winner of the Gold Cup. Winning trainer Willie Mullins, who dominates the sport in Britain and Ireland, won his fourth Gold Cup, leaving him one victory short of tying Tom Dreaper, who won the race five times from 1946 to 1968.
Aiming to consolidate an already strong season, Karis Teetan is excited at the opportunity to ride Young Champion for the first time when the emerging talent contests the Class 2 Sheung Yeung Shan Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (16 March).
Ridden at his first two Hong Kong starts by James McDonald for a second and a last-start victory over 1400m on 25 February, Young Champion rises from Class 3 and will start from barrier nine in a field of 11.
