By Paul Ryding
Mark Newnham could scarcely have hoped for a better lead-in to the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and was in buoyant mood after Invincible Ibis was handed the plum draw at Thursday’s (19 March) barrier draw.
Fresh from a career-best quintet at Happy Valley in the penultimate meeting ahead of Sunday’s (22 March) blue-riband contest, the Australian handler’s charge gained a significant edge in drawing gate three.
By Leo Schlink
Preparing to saddle Invincible Ibis in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (22 March), Mark Newnham breathed fresh life into his Hong Kong trainers’ championship quest with a spectacular, career-best five-timer at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (18 March).
By Paul Ryding
Second-year British handler David Eustace approaches the 149th HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on Sunday (22 March) at Sha Tin with dual representation, but says positioning himself for an early-career crack at Hong Kong’s most prestigious race was always his plan.
By Declan Schuster
Trainer Pierre Ng is keeping the faith when Sagacious Life contests the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon (22 March).
After awkwardly covering ground from an outside draw when fourth in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) before failing to fire a shot in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) last start on 1 March, Sagacious Life is aiming to bounce back to the sort of form that saw him win two Class 2s in his first three Hong Kong starts.
23 individual Group 1 winners headline entries for FWD Champions Day on Sunday, 26 April at Sha Tin – all seeking the opportunity to race for the record HK$78 million in prizemoney across three of world racing’s premier contests in Hong Kong.
Representing connections from around the globe, 101 horses will be considered for spots in the HK$30 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m), HK$24 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and HK$24 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) – with each race limited to 14 runners.
Streisand, the Southern Hemisphere 2-year-old filly, has already won a seven-figure race in Australia this year, in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne on Feb. 21.
The manner of her victory in that six-furlong race, stalking the pace and winning by three-quarters of a length, has pushed Streisand to the fore of contenders in Saturday’s Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney.
By Declan Schuster
Trainer Jimmy Ting believes a remedial course of barrier practice has star talent Little Paradise right on track for the HK$26 million 149th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) – the city’s most coveted crown – at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon (22 March).
By Declan Schuster
Andrea Atzeni believes a return to sprinting will prove decisive for Crimson Flash (120lb) when the four-year-old gelding takes aim at a stacked HK$2.84 million Class 2 Daisy Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday (18 March) at Happy Valley.
Trained by Mark Newnham, Crimson Flash steps down in distance after finishing 11th in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 1 February. The three-time winner is a dual victor over tomorrow night’s course and distance – each time under Atzeni.
Paul Lally
R1 3-5-10-4
R2 2-1-8-4
R3 1-3-12-11
R4 1-3-12-5
R5 5-6-9-1
R6 6-3-4-9
R7 10-1-6-4
R8 7-11-1-10
R9 1-11-3-7
Best Bet R3 N1 Parents’ Love
Longshot R7 N10 Son Pak Fu
Play R6 QQP 3-4-6
Tom Wood
R1: 4-3-7-10
R2: 8-4-1-2
R3: 1-3-8-12
R4: 5-1-10-2
R5: 5-12-6-3
R6: 3-1-6-2
R7: 6-1-7-8
R8: 7-2-11-12
R9: 12-1-3-9
BEST: R7 N6 CRIMSON FLASH (WIN)
VALUE: R2 N8 SHOOTING TO TOP (EW)
PLAY: R9 QQP 1,3,12
