The Hong Kong Derby comes Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse, and as the final leg of the 4-year-old classic series arrives, a key question arises: Is Purton playing possum?
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DRF Past Performances
For a strong favorite, the Australian gelding Criminal Code has something to prove in Sunday’s Yarra Valley Cup at about 1 1/4 miles at Yarra Valley Racecourse.
Criminal Code is winless in 10 starts since a one-mile handicap at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney last July. During the losing streak, Criminal Code has been second or third in two stakes, including a third in the Mornington Cup Prelude at 1 1/4 miles at Caulfield on Feb. 26 in his latest start.
The order of appearance changed, but there were familiar names among the successful horses, jockeys and trainer involved with the first two finishers of Friday’s Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham Racecourse in England.
A Plus Tard ran past stablemate Minella Indo after the final fence to win by 15 lengths. Last year, Minella Indo and A Plus Tard were first and second, separated by 1 1/4 lengths. Both are trained by Henry de Bromhead of Ireland.
The 2021 season was Zaaki’s introduction to racing in Australia.
After losses in his first two starts, Zaaki won six of his next seven races, including three Group 1 wins.
No wonder the former British-trained gelding is an early 5-2 favorite to win Saturday’s $3.69 million All-Star Mile at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. The field is partially determined by a vote of fans.
A field of 11, headed by American star Life Is Good, is expected for the $12 million Dubai World Cup on March 26.
The Dubai Racing Club on Thursday announced likely fields for the nine races – eight Thoroughbreds, one purebred Arabians – that comprise the World Cup card.
Wed, 03/16/2022 - 15:53
The undefeated gelding Son of Sangio will make his third career start in a handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs at Goulburn Racecourse in Australia on Friday, the longest race of his brief career.
Trained by Richard and Michael Freedman, the 3-year-old Son of Sangio won a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs from off the pace at Bathurst Racecourse in January and a handicap at six furlongs from the front at Newcastle on Feb. 22.
Energumene had a perfect trip to win Wednesday’s Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth Champion Chase at two miles at Cheltenham Racecourse in England, a race that failed to meet expectations when favored Shishkin was pulled up after a mile.
The $520,400 Queen Mother Champion Chase was the top race on a rain-soaked afternoon that saw the turf course downgraded to soft. Shishkin, the 1-2 favorite, could not cope with the conditions, trainer Nicky Henderson said.
Irish-trained runners have won six of the last 10 runnings of the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup at Cheltenham Racecourse in England. The trend may not change when the famous race is run in the west of England on Friday.
The three leading contenders for the $818,750 Gold Cup at 3 5/16 miles – A Plus Tard, Galvin, and Minella Indo – are based in Ireland.
A Plus Tard, trained by Henry de Bromhead, was second to Minella Indo in the 2021 Gold Cup and was the 3-1 favorite in early betting with British bookmakers as of Wednesday. Galvin was 10-3, while Minella Indo was 9-2.
Happy Valley Selections - Wednesday, March 15
Paul Lally:
R1 4-7-11-2
R2 3-1-10-4
R3 4-3-1-9
R4 7-6-1-11
R5 4-11-3-10
R6 1-11-2-8
R7 4-3-9-6
R8 9-2-1-5
R9 8-2-11-1
Best Bet R6 - 1 Like That
Longshot R4 - 7 Gang of Brothers
Play R8 (QQP 1-2-9)
Mark McNamara:
R1- 4.7.11.2
R2 – 1.10.4.12
R3 – 2.3.8.4
R4 – 1.6.2.11
R5 – 3.1.4.10
R6 – 8.2.1.11
R7 – 4.2.8.3
R8 – 9.2.7.8
R9 – 11.3.2.8