At first glance, the odds seem like a mistake. Vow and Declare, the winner of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup in Australia last November, was 50-1 in future-book betting on Thursday for Saturday’s Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes.

But the one-mile distance of the $545,200 Makybe Diva Stakes does not necessarily fit Vow and Declare, who is best suited to races at 1 1/2 to two miles. The race is run at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, the same venue as the Melbourne Cup.

The Kentucky-bred gelding Yulong Storm is having a perfect year in Australia, going unbeaten in three starts since late July.

Two of the wins have occurred at Swan Hill Racecourse outside of Melbourne, the venue of Yulong Storm’s appearance in a six-furlong handicap on Friday. Yulong Storm is trained by Nathan Hobson, who is based at Swan Hill.

Melarita, a 5-year-old New Zealand-bred mare, has won three of four starts in Australia since she returned to racing in April after a six-month break.

Her only loss in that span was a third in a handicap for fillies and mares at Sandown Racecourse on July 1. Melarita rebounded to win a handicap against males at Sandown Racecourse on Aug. 1.

That victory, and her overall recent record, makes Melarita an odds-on favorite to win again in a handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles at Mornington Racecourse near Melbourne on Thursday.

Ghaiyyath is an intended runner Saturday at Leopardstown in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes, his connections announced Tuesday.

The highest rated horse in the world this year, Ghaiyyath will ship to Ireland his weekend to start favored in the 1 1/4-mile fixture provided he works well Wednesday, said Charley Appleby, who trains Ghaiyyath for Godolphin.

Paul Lally:

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

Best Bet R7 N1 California Rad
Longshot R8 N10 Cantstopthefeeling
Paly Race7 QQP 1-2-8

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Andrew Le Jeune:

In terms of quality, it’s a quiet start to the Happy Valley phase of the 2020-2021 Hong Kong racing season.

Three Class 3 handicaps for horses rated 80-60 finish off an eight-race Happy Valley program on Wednesday, the second card of the new Hong Kong season following Sunday’s races at Sha Tin. Races 7 and 8 are carded at 1,200 meters, while race 6 is at 1,650 meters, one lap around the irregular Happy Valley course.

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With any luck, Sapphire Clown would be sporting a two-race winning streak in advance of a start in a five-furlong handicap at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday.

Bred and initially raced in New Zealand, Sapphire Clown won his second start in Australia in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Scone Racecourse on July 26 and was beaten a nose in a five-furlong handicap at Sandown on Aug. 26, closing from last in a field of eight as the 3-1 second choice.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, September 9, 2020)

Paul Lally:

R1 10-5-1-3

R2 9-11-5-1

R3 8-4-11-5

R4 4-3-2-5

R5 4-6-1-2

R6 4-2-3-10

R7 11-6-5-7

R8 10-5-7-11

R9 6-4-3-9

R10 8-5-7-1

Best Bet R8 N10 Computer Patch

Longshot R9 N6 Uncle Steve

Play qqp R8 5-7-10

Mark McNamara:

R1 – 3.5.11.10

R2 – 4.11.7.1.

R3 – 8.2.11.13

R4 – 2.3.4.13

R5  - 4.9.2.6

R6 – 4.3.2.10

R7 – 6.5.7.11

R8 – 10.2.6.3

R9 – 4.1.10.3

R10 – 7.8.1.5

Best Bet R3 N8 Hero Star

A glance at late scratches for Sunday’s eighth race at Geelong Racecourse in Australia is vital in finalizing selections in the six-furlong handicap.

The race drew a field of 16, but will have a safety limit of 14 runners. Deep Dive, a winner of his last two starts, is stuck on the also-eligible list and would alter the betting significantly if he can draw into the field.

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