Thu, 03/28/2024 - 14:45

Japanese distaffers will make Auguste Rodin work in Sheema Classic

Dubai Racing Club

Auguste Rodin may not enjoy the long stretch run at Meydan when he makes his first start of the year in the Sheema Classic.

In June 2023, Auguste Rodin won the Derby at Epsom. In September he won the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes, and in November he captured the Breeders’ Cup Turf. All that, and Auguste Rodin has his work cut out for him in the Sheema Classic on Saturday at Meydan Racecourse.

Auguste Rodin makes his 4-year-old debut facing 11 rivals in the Group 1, $6 million Sheema Classic, a 1 1/2-mile grass race. Spirit Dancer and Point Lonsdale haven’t found success at the top level, but the other eight entrants are Group 1 winners.

Thu, 03/28/2024 - 13:40

Ushba Tesoro will need his best to repeat in Dubai World Cup

By Marcus Hersh

Dubai Racing Club

Ushba Tesoro will try to become the second horse to win two runnings of the Dubai World Cup.

Senor Buscador can become the first horse to win the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup. Ushba Tesoro can become the second horse to win two renewals of the Dubai World Cup. And the mere fact that a horse named Kabirkhan has any chance at all in the World Cup is almost unbelievable.

Thu, 03/28/2024 - 10:35

Sibelius follows same pattern in bid to repeat in Golden Shaheen

By Steve Andersen

Tom Keyser

Sibelius prepped for the Golden Shaheen with this victory in the Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

What worked to perfection at the start of 2023 may once again lead to a win in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai for the Florida-based gelding Sibelius.

In early 2023, Sibelius won the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Gulfstream Park and the $75,000 Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in consecutive starts before a career-defining win by a nose in the $2 million Golden Shaheen at six furlongs at Meydan.

Thu, 03/28/2024 - 10:33

Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, March 31

By The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Hong Kong Jockey Club

Hong Kong's 88-day 2019-20 season opens with a 10-race card at Sha Tin Racecourse.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, March 31, 2024)

Wed, 03/27/2024 - 14:25

Dubai World Cup: Ushba Tesoro, Senor Buscador meet again in 12-horse field

By Marcus Hersh

Ushba Tesoro trains at Meydan March 25 2024

Dubai Racing Club

Ushba Tesoro trains at Meydan on Monday. He is well drawn in post 5 for the $12 million Dubai World Cup.

From Japan to New Mexico to the steppes of Kazakhstan, they’re putting the “World” into the Dubai World Cup this year.

Drawn Wednesday, a dozen horses whose lives span the globe – among them 2023 World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro and Senor Buscador, who beat Ushba Tesoro last month in the $20 million Saudi Cup – were entered in the Group 1, $12 million World Cup, contested Saturday at Meydan Racecourse over 1 1/4 miles.

Tue, 03/26/2024 - 08:25

Hong Kong Selections for Wednesday, March 27, 2024

By The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Paul Lally:

R1 5-6-1-2
R2 5-1-8-7
R3 3-1-4-11
R4 6-11-9-3
R5 4-3-7-12
R6 12-5-8-1
R7 6-4-5-2
R8 10-12-3-2
R9 4-6-9-11

Best Bet R6 N12 Cheer For South
Longshot R1 N5 Foremost Teddy
Plays R7 QQP 4-5-6

Tom Wood:

R1: 2-1-7-6
R2: 5-8-1-4
R3: 3-1-11-9
R4: 6-11-8-2
R5: 12-3-2-4
R6: 12-5-4-8
R7: 6-4-5-3
R8: 9-3-7-10
R9: 4-11-12-3

Tue, 03/26/2024 - 08:17

Pierre Ng aims for stars with exciting FWD Champions Day plans

By The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Hong Kong Jockey Club

Galaxy Patch (outside) is one of Hong Kong’s best improvers.

By Declan Schuster

Galaxy Patch could next take on the might of Golden Sixty or Romantic Warrior on FWD Champions Day (Sunday, 28 April) at Sha Tin.

After his slashing second in Sunday’s (24 March) HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) behind Massive Sovereign, Galaxy Patch will be set for the HK$22 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) or HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) – holding entries for both contests.

Mon, 03/25/2024 - 07:58

Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, March 27

By The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Hong Kong Jockey Club

Happy Valley has a nine-race program on Wednesday.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, March 27, 2024)

Sun, 03/24/2024 - 14:52

Japan: Mad Cool takes Takamatsonomiya Kinen; T O Password gains Derby berth

By Steve Andersen

Mad Cool, second in the Grade 1 Sprinters Stakes last October, won for the first time at the highest level in Sunday’s Grade 1 Takamatsonomiya Kinen at six furlongs on turf at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan, beating a field that included 2023 Japanese sprint champion Mama Cocha.

Mad Cool, who paid $23.80 in American pools, was always near the front, while racing on the inside, and took the lead in the stretch. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, Mad Cool won by a head over 5-1 Namura Clair, who finished three lengths clear of 7-1 Victor the Winner, a shipper from Hong Kong.

Sun, 03/24/2024 - 11:03

Massive Sovereign wins BMW Hong Kong Derby

By The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Hong Kong Jockey Club

Massive Sovereign edges out Galaxy Patch and Ka Ying Generation.

Dennis Yip will consider a tilt at the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) next month after former Irish stayer Massive Sovereign completed an extraordinary rise to glory with a spectacular win in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) under Zac Purton at Sha Tin on Sunday (24 March).

Providing Yip with his first triumph in the Classic and Purton’s second after Luger in 2015, Massive Sovereign clocked the fastest time in Derby history – 1m 59.85s – since the race distance was changed to 2000m in 2000, bettering champion Golden Sixty’s time of 2m 00.15s, set in 2020.

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