Tue, 06/23/2020 - 09:01

Hong Kong selections for Happy Valley on Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Paul Lally
R1 5 2 8 12
R2 6 9 10 4
R3 8 12 3 6
R4 1 11 10 9
R5 1 9 8 4
R6 9 3 2 12
R7 4 5 7 12
R8 3 2 9 1
R9 3 10 6 9

Best Bet R6 N9 Sky Darci
Longshot R2 N6 Authentic Champ
Play R6 QQP 2 3 9

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Mon, 06/22/2020 - 15:50

Ward plotting return to Europe

Racenews Photo
Campanelle, winning the Queen Mary last week, will return to Europe later this summer to contest the Prix Morny at Deauville.

The eight American horses who raced at Royal Ascot are headed home this week, but two of them are likely to return to Europe later this summer.

Campanelle, the Wesley Ward-trained 2-year-old filly who won the Queen Mary Stakes on Saturday, is an intended runner Aug. 23 at Deauville in the Group 1 Prix Morny. The Ward-trained Lady Aurelia completed the Queen Mary-Morny double in 2016.

Mon, 06/22/2020 - 15:16

Hong Kong: Ratings-risers clash in Class 2 handicap

Several good-looking last-start winners feature prominently in co-featured race 9 on Wednesday at Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong.

The nightcap is one of two Class 2 handicaps on the program and has lured Shining Ace, Victoriam, and Beauty Amigo, all boosted considerably in the Hong Kong ratings following recent victories.

Mon, 06/22/2020 - 14:38

Australia: Bartholomeu Dias gets more ground in second start off layoff

There will be a small crowd at Sandown Park in Melbourne, Australia, to root home the runners on Wednesday’s eight-race card.

Starting on Tuesday, a small group of owners will be allowed to attend races in the state of Victoria, where Melbourne is located. Owners can attend under strict guidelines, such as social distancing, contact tracing, and a policy of departing after the race involving their final runners. Attendance will be limited.

Mon, 06/22/2020 - 11:12

Declan Schuster's Hong Kong selections and analysis for Wednesday, June 24, 2020

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, June 24, 2020)

Sun, 06/21/2020 - 16:35

Australia: Master Jamie back from layoff in Rockhampton handicap

Since his winning debut in November 2018, Master Jaime has thrived at his home track of Rockhampton Racecourse in Australia.

A 3-year-old Australian-bred gelding, Master Jaime has won 11 of 14 starts in his career, and 8 of 9 races at Rockhampton, where trainer Graeme Green is based.

In April 2019, Master Jaime returned from a five-month layoff to win a six-furlong handicap. Last November, Master Jaime was second in a five-furlong handicap after a four-month layoff.

Sun, 06/21/2020 - 14:42

Japan: Cafe Pharoah gets second win Kentucky Derby qualifier

Japan Racing Association
Cafe Pharoah remains unbeaten in three starts after winning Sunday's Unicorn Stakes at Tokyo Racecourse.

Cafe Pharoah strengthened his status as the leading Japanese contender for the Kentucky Derby with a decisive five-length win in Sunday’s Grade 3 Unicorn Stakes at a mile at Tokyo Racecourse.

Ridden by Damian Lane, Cafe Pharoah (the even-money favorite in Japan) closed from a stalking position in the one-turn race to take the lead in the stretch. Cafe Pharoah quickly drew away from 15 rivals to remain unbeaten in three starts.

Dieu du Vin finished second, 1 3/4 lengths in front of Kenshinko.

Sat, 06/20/2020 - 15:05

Palace Pier wins St. James's Palace for red-hot Dettori-Gosden team

Racenews Photo
Palace Pier (right) wins the St. James's Palace Stakes under Frankie Dettori on Saturday, giving trainer John Gosden his fifth winner of the meet.

Jockey Frankie Dettori and trainer John Gosden capped off their stupendous Royal Ascot meet by winning the Group 1 St. James’s Palace Stakes with Palace Pier on Saturday.

Sat, 06/20/2020 - 13:39

Australia: A fresh Stampede Warrior dangerous at distance in handicap at Scone Racecourse

Stampede Warrior, who won three of four starts in Australia last August and September, will have his first start of 2020 in a five-furlong handicap at Scone Racecourse on Monday.

The 4-year-old gelding has won at distances ranging from six to seven furlongs, and has a stalking style that could work at five furlongs in a large field. The race is expected to draw a full field of 14, and should have an honest pace from runners such as Bengalla Bay, Mambo Bay, and Successor.

Fri, 06/19/2020 - 17:27

Tokyo: Cafe Pharoah returns from layoff in Unicorn Stakes

Cafe Pharoah, the top-ranked active 3-year-old in the standings for Kentucky Derby prospects in Japan, will have his first start in four months in Sunday’s Grade 3 Unicorn Stakes at a mile at Tokyo Racecourse.

The $630,825 Unicorn Stakes is one of two remaining races on the schedule of prep races in Japan for the Kentucky Derby. The final race in the series is the Japan Dirt Derby at Oi Racecourse on July 8. The horse with the most points in the series will earn a berth in the 20-horse field for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Sept. 5.