Sun, 06/26/2022 - 16:29

Ireland: La Petite Coco notches fourth consecutive win with Pretty Polly

La Petite Coco extended her winning streak to four races, three in stakes, with a victory in her 2022 debut in Sunday’s Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at 1 1/4 miles for fillies and mares at the Curragh Racecourse in Ireland.

The $316,000 Pretty Polly Stakes was La Petite Coco’s first start in a race at the highest level and gave trainer Paddy Twomey his first Group 1 win.

Sun, 06/26/2022 - 14:34

Australia: Rodrick’s Secret has right distance in Tuesday handicap

In the last year, Rodrick’s Secret has raced in distances ranging from 7 1/2 furlongs to 1 1/2 miles in Australia. In that time, races at a mile have been key to Rodrick’s Secret’s success.

In 14 starts in the last year, Rodrick’s Secret has won 2 of 6 starts at a mile and was unsuccessful in eight starts at other distances.

That records gives Rodrick’s Secret a leading chance in a one-mile handicap at Taree Racecourse on Tuesday.

Sat, 06/25/2022 - 14:10

Australia: Three fillies attract betting focus in Monday handicap

The fillies Decadent Tale, Stella Glow and Strelitzia, all winners of their last starts in Australia, dominate early betting for a handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Scone Racecourse on Monday.

Each of those fillies has recent form easy to support, but are starting at the extended distance for the first time.

Sat, 06/25/2022 - 13:21

Westover has perfect trip in Irish Derby

In a reversal of his troubled third in the Group 1 English Derby earlier this month, Westover had a perfect trip in Saturday’s Group 1 Irish Derby at the Curragh, winning his first race at the highest level by seven lengths.

Ridden by Colin Keane, Westover ($4.80 in American pools) stalked pacesetter French Claim to early stretch, took the lead with more than a quarter-mile remaining and quickly pulled clear.

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 16:35

Tuesday takes on males in Irish Derby

Pat Healy
El cerrado final de las Oaks entre Tuesday (adentro) y Emily Upjohn

Westover’s days as a longshot ended with a troubled third at 25-1 in the Group 1 English Derby at Epsom Downs on June 4.

In Saturday’s Group 1 Irish Derby at the Curragh, Westover and the filly Tuesday will be the first two choices in a field of eight, with both likely to be prices ranging from 7-5 to 3-2. They bring excellent credentials to the $1.05 million Irish Derby, run at 1 1/2 miles.

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 15:53

Hong Kong: Purton could take riding lead from sidelined Moreira

The tight duel between Joao Moreira and Zac Purton for the riding title in Hong Kong took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when Moreira was removed from his final eight mounts at Happy Valley Racecourse by racing officials because of chest pains.

While subsequent tests revealed no health issues, Moreira is not riding at Sha Tin Racecourse on Saturday. He is scheduled to resume racing on Tuesday at Happy Valley.

Going into Saturday’s Sha Tin program, Moreira led Purton, 127-126. The standings could very well be reversed after the 10-race program.

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 15:43

Japan: Crowd of top talent gathered for Takarazuka Kinen

Dubai Racing Club
Lord North, between horses in the blue-and-white cap, dead-heats for the win with Panthalassa (inside) in the Group 1 Dubai Turf on March 26. He is favored in Sunday's Tattersalls Gold Cup.

The Grade 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin Racecourse in Japan on Sunday has drawn such a strong field that Efforia, the country’s 2021 Horse of the Year, could easily be overshadowed by recent Grade 1 and Group 1 winners Panthalassa, Potager, and Titleholder.

Add other runners such as Authority, Deep Bond, and Stay Foolish, and Efforia will need a top-level performance to win the $2.85 million Takarazuka Kinen at 1 3/8 miles. The winner receives a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 14:33

Australia: Royal Dress has obstacles to overcome in handicap at Donald Racecourse

She has the least experience in a field of 10. She is a 3-year-old filly racing against older males, and she drew the outside post.

It would seem conditions would be against Royal Dress in a five-furlong handicap at tiny Donald Racecourse in Australia on Sunday. But Royal Dress has recent form that indicates she can overcame her lack of racing, and what seems to be a tough draw, to win for the third time in her fifth start.

Fri, 06/24/2022 - 11:13

Hong Kong Selections for Saturday, June 25, 2022

Paul Lally:

R1 6-2-3-13

R2 3-11-1-2

R3 3-2-9-8

R4 5-1-10-3

R5 11-5-3-6

R6 4-2-5-11

R7 1-5-13-12

R8 1-12-10-3

R9 6-9-3-8

R10 11-1-6-2

Best Bet R7 N1 Copartner Elites

Longshot R5 N11 Vukan

Play R7 QQP 1-5-13

 

Andrew Le Jeune:

R1: 2-3-6-1

R2: 3-4-1-11

R3: 2-3-5-1

R4: 12-9-5-11

R5: 1-5-3-6

R6: 4-1-2-11

R7: 5-1-12-13

R8: 9-10-1-8

R9: 6-9-8-3

R10: 4-9-1-6

Thu, 06/23/2022 - 15:28

Australia: Snapdancer brings top form into Tattersall's Tiara

From wins in a $710,000 sales progeny stakes in January to a Group 1 last month, the quick Australian mare Snapdancer is in the midst of her best season this year.

The victories have come at six and 6 1/2 furlongs, which makes her presence in Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara Stakes at seven furlongs at Eagle Farm Racecourse more of a test.

Snapdancer, trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, has won 6 of 18 starts in her career, but is winless in four starts at seven furlongs.