SHA TIN SELECTIONS
(Sunday, May 30, 2021)

Explosive Jack’s 2021 season has been highlighted by three derby wins throughout Australia.

The continental tour continues Saturday when the colt will have his ninth career start in the Group 1 Queensland Derby at 1 1/2 miles at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane.

Mark McNamara:

R1 2.6.9.3
R2 7.2.9.1
R3 1.2.4.7
R4 6.9.3.8
R5 2.1.6.3
R6 8.3.10.4
R7 2.3.6.5
R8 4.3.1.7
R9 4.3.1.2

Best Bet R9 N4 Majestic Star
Longshot R4 N6 Stormtrouper
Play R6 Q/QP 2.3.6

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Paul Lally:

Late last year and early in 2021, Delightful Laos found his footing racing at Happy Valley, where he notched two wins, in Class 3 and Class 2 handicaps, and finished a good second in a third start. The strong form earned Delightful Laos a move to racing at Sha Tin, where he failed to make an impact in two legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic series and most recently finished ninth trying a distance as long as 1 1/2 miles for the first time while facing Group 3 competition.

On May 5, Nikau Spur finished seventh at even-money in a seven-furlong handicap at Warrnambool Racecourse west of Melbourne, Australia.

Nikau Spur was given a post-race lameness diagnosis by a veterinarian, the second time that has happened since December. Nikau Spur has since been cleared to resume racing, and is entered in a handicap at 7 1/2 furlongs at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Ten American-based horses, eight for trainer Wesley Ward plus two others, form the American contingent headed to races at Royal Ascot in England next month.

In addition to Ward’s octet, Extravagant Kid, trained by Brendan Walsh, and Artos, trained by Rusty Arnold, are intended starters in Royal Ascot races. Neither trainer has started a horse in England, while Ward is an annual participant – and regular winner – at the Royal meet, which runs this year from June 15-19.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, May 26, 2021)

Paul Lally:

R1 7-1-8-9

R2 1-12-8-2

R3 4-1-8-2

R4 9-5-1-3

R5 2-3-6-8

R6 1-12-4-8

R7 1-2-4-7

R8 2-1-3-6

R9 9-5-2-1

R10 11-4-2-3

R11 4-3-1-8

Best Bet R8 N2 Glorious Dragon

Longshot R1 N7 Compulsory

Play Race8 QQP 1-2-3

Mark McNamara:

R1 – 8.1.7.3

R2 – 1.2.8.12

R3 – 4.1.2.9

R4 – 9.3.1.6

R5 – 8.1.7.3

R6 – 4.1.5.8

R7 – 2.1.11.4

R8 – 1.3.5.8

R9 – 7.5.9.3

Home by Midnight is in the midst of a career change at the age of 8.

Sunday, Home by Midnight will have his stakes debut over obstacles in the $96,625 Australian Hurdle at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, the gelding’s 61^st start.

An 11-time winner, Home by Midnight won his only other appearance in a hurdle race, beating maidens last August in his final start of 2020. This year, Home by Midnight is winless in three starts in flat races, including a second in the Terang Cup at about 1 5/16 miles at Terang Racecourse on April 18.

For four years, Exultant has been the best 1 1/2-mile horse in Hong Kong. Granted, this is not fertile territory for such racehorses. Hong Kong prizes its sprinters and milers. The staying ranks are thin, indeed. Exultant has stood at their forefront since May 2018, when he won in his first Hong Kong start over 2,400 meters, the metric equivalent of 1 1/2 miles.