The Australian mare Mornay has not raced since October, but that not may hinder her chances for a fifth career win in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs on Monday at Wellington Racecourse.
Mornay has won following layoffs in the past, a promising trend for her appearance in a field of 11 at Wellington. A 6-year-old, Mornay will have her first start for trainer Andrew Molloy, having previously been trained by Luke Hilton.
Paul Lally:
R1 4-2-3-6
R2 4-8-7-1
R3 1-5-6-7
R4 8-2-12-4
R5 2-7-13-1
R6 6-2-5-3
R7 9-7-8-3
R8 8-12-2-5
R9 3-2-7-9
R10 5-9-2-6
Best Bet: R9 N3 Lucky Fun
Longshot: R7 N9 Viva Hunter
Play: R7 QQP 7 8 9
Mark McNamara:
R1: 4.2.9.3
R2: 7.4.5.1
R3: 1.8.5.2.
R4: 12.8.4.2
R5: 4.2.1.13
R6: 6.9.3.8
R7: 5.8.11.1
R8: 4.10.7.12
R9: 2.3.9.6
R10: 2.5.6.1
Determined to remain atop Hong Kong’s training championship, Caspar Fownes has no plans to rest on his laurels with an influx of newcomers joining established stable stars ahead of Sunday’s (5 September) season-opening meeting.
Triumphant in last season’s championship with 79 winners after a season-long stoush with 11-time champion handler John Size (73 wins), Fownes is banking on proven performers including BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Sky Darci, Southern Legend and Sky Field to lead his yard’s charge.
By Leo Schlink
David Hayes hopes to make a statement of intent for the 2021/22 season by parading a string of leading hopes - including an intriguing first-starter - at the season-opening meeting on Sunday (5 September) at Sha Tin.
The dual Hong Kong champion trainer has eight entries spread across the 10-race program, headed by Naboo Attack, Super Axiom, Master Montaro and newcomer Nervous Witness, an emphatic 1000m trial winner at Sha Tin on 28 August.
Rich and Shameless inherited the role of top weight in Sunday’s Moree Cup in Australia with the withdrawal of Eiger after entries were taken.
Rich and Shameless will carry 126.7 pounds, and will be favored on the strength of a recent win in a minor handicap at seven furlongs at Mudgee Racecourse on Aug. 29. The Moree Cup is also run at seven furlongs.
A winner of 5 of 22 starts, Rich and Shameless was the 3-1 favorite in early betting on Friday in the Moree Cup, which will have a maximum field of 14. There were 18 entries accepted earlier in the week.
General gambling principles suggest taking a very short price on a horse trying something for the first time constitutes poor wagering. Which doesn’t mean you can’t look forward to watching Baaeed race Sunday at Longchamp in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin.
Based in England with trainer William Haggas, unbeaten Baaeed absolutely has given the appearance of a Group 1-level performer. Still, the fact is he has yet to compete above the Group 3 level and is the strong favorite in the one-mile Moulin. So far, just watching Baaeed race has been nearly as fun as cashing a bet.
The primary goal with Zaaki in coming months is the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Melbourne on Oct. 23, Australia’s leading weight-for-age race.
Zaaki’s appearance in Saturday’s Group 2 Tramway Stakes at seven furlongs at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney is part of an expected two-race buildup to the $3.7 million Cox Plate.
The breather following a long racing season is a short one. It’s been only about seven weeks since the end of the 2020-21 Hong Kong season, and already, on Sunday at Sha Tin, it is on to 2021-22.
A 10-race card, first post 1 a.m. Eastern, starts off the new racing year with some things similar, others different since live races last were run in Hong Kong.
There will be 16 runners in Friday’s $147,500 Wyong Cup at 1 5/16 miles in Wyong Racecourse in Australia, a big field without a clear favorite.
As of Wednesday, Berdibek, Dashing Willoughby, Inverloch, and Laure Me In were all 6-1, the shortest prices in early betting. With all four showing top-class form in the last year, there is little surprise that early-bird bettors are reluctant to throw support behind an individual runner.
