SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, January 15, 2023)

In his 23-race career, the Australian gelding Mix has won six times, but has never raced beyond seven furlongs.

Mix won at that distance in a handicap at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Jan. 3 and will start at about a mile for the first time in the Ballina Cup at Ballina Racecourse on Thursday evening.

The distance may work for the 5-year-old gelding, who tends to run from off the pace. The key to winning the Ballina Cup will be a clean trip. The race drew a field of 18 and will be limited to 14 runners. Mix has a good position in post 7 to aid his closing style.

Bettors might take a lesson from the Al Fahidi Fort Stakes on Jan. 6, opening night of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Heavily favored Noble Truth had William Buick, top rider for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby. He finished last of 15. James Doyle rode Al Suhail for Godolphin and Appleby. He won by four lengths. This was reminiscent of the Breeders’ Cup Turf, where Doyle piloted Rebel’s Romance to victory as Buick rode shorter-priced Nations Pride to a fifth-place finish.  

A month after she returned to racing following an eight-month layoff, Time to Dazzle starts at a mile in a handicap at Gunnedah Racecourse in Australia on Wednesday evening.

The distance could be key in an attempt to end a 10-race losing streak since July 2021.

A winner of 4 of 29 starts, Time to Dazzle has won at distances ranging from a mile to 1 1/4 miles. Since her return to racing in December, Time to Dazzle has finished sixth in a race at six furlongs on Dec. 13 and a brighter third by 2 1/2 lengths at seven furlongs on Dec. 23.

Paul Lally:

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

Best Bet R8 N3 Encountered
Longshot R5 N6 Solar Power
Play 2nd Double Trio R4,5
1>5,7,8,10
6>1,3,7,9,10

:: Hong Kong: Free PPs, picks, analysis, replays, and live streaming

Mark McNamara:

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, January 11, 2023)

After a failed attempt at a group stakes, the Australian filly Chenin will be favored to win for the third time in her 12th start in a one-mile handicap at Warwick Farm Racecourse in Sydney on Tuesday evening.

Trained by Mark Newnham, Chenin finished 13th of 14 in the Group 3 Belle of the Turf Stakes for fillies and mares at a mile at Gosford Racecourse on Dec. 28. The poor finish ended a streak of four top-three finishes in minor handicaps, including a win in a one-mile race at Warwick Farm on Dec. 7.

Al Muthana and Make It Snappy won Group 1 races at Kenilworth Racecourse in South Africa on Saturday, earning fees-paid berths to Breeders’ Cup races at Santa Anita in November.

Both runners must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program to be eligible for the November races.

The Australian-bred Al Muthana (80-1) caught the previously unbeaten Charles Dickens to win the L’Ormarins King’s Plate. Al Muthana earned a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Mile.  

Tullaghan ended a busy six-week stretch with a fourth-place finish in a one-mile handicap at Albury Racecourse in Australia on Dec. 10.

Tullaghan was beaten slightly less than two lengths, while racing on the inside through the stretch. While Tullaghan had a clear run, he was unable to compete with Oceans of Stanima, who rallied wide.

After that race, his sixth in as many weeks, Tullaghan earned a rest. He returns for his first start in a month in a one-mile handicap at Albury on Monday evening.

Paul Lally:

R1 2-3-6-13

R2 6-4-5-1

R3 9-5-1-7

R4 12-6-3-5

R5 4-3-9-11

R6 1-11-14-13

R7 1-2-11-10

R8 4-1-2-9

R9 2-6-1-3

R10 5-2-12-9

R11 5-6-8-1

Best Bet R11 N5 Dragons Luck

Longshot R4 N4 Find My Love

Play QQP R9 QQP 1-2-6

Mark McNamara:

R1 - 2.14.6.13

R2 - 12.4.5.6

R3 - 9.7.1.5

R4 - 12.1.5.6

R5 - 4.3.1.7

R6 - 11.13.2.1

R7 - 11.1.2.9

R8 - 1.4.7.2