(Subject to Hong Kong government approval)

U S Navy Flag confirmed his prowess as a sprinter with his third Group 1 win in Saturday’s $661,800 July Cup at six furlongs at Newmarket, England.

Ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien, U S Navy Flag (8-1) led throughout and prevailed by 1 1/4 lengths over 14-1 Brando, who finished three-quarters of a length in front of 50-1 Fleet Review, also trained by O’Brien.

Blue Point, the 5-2 favorite, stalked the pace to the final furlong and faded to finish 4 3/4 lengths behind U S Navy Flag in the field 13.

Alpha Centauri assailed them at Ascot last month and kneecapped them at Newmarket on Friday.

The 3-year-old filly’s star has risen fast and risen high and she now ranks among the most exciting racehorses in Europe after winning the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes by 4 1/2 lengths.

The $254,801 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap headlines an 11-race card Sunday at Sha Tin, closing day of the Hong Kong racing season.

A Class 1 race open to horses rated 90-105, just on the cusp of group-stakes class, the Sha Tin Trophy is contested at 1,600 meters (about one mile) around one bend. It’s race 8 of 11 on a card that starts at 12:30 a.m. Eastern and ushers in a dark period of about three months before the 2018-19 Hong Kong season commences.

SHA TIN SELECTIONS

(Sunday, July 15, 2018)

RACE 1: #2 Best Effort, #11 Rock The Tree, #12 Joy Plus Fun, #10 Little Fantasy

RACE 2: #7 Cour Valant, #4 Multimax, #5 Superior Boy, #10 Otouto

RACE 3: #3 General Dino, #9 Happy Rocky, #5 Enjoyable Success, #2 Bullish Glory

RACE 4: #4 Complacency, #13 Regency Darling, #12 Master Viking, #3 Burst Away

RACE 5: #3 Have Fun Together, #8 London Hall, #6 Fresh Power, #2 Beauty Day

Blue Point was the 6-1 third choice when he won the first Group 1 of his career in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 19.

The King’s Stand, run on a straightaway five furlongs, was Blue Point's sixth win in 13 starts and his fourth stakes win.

Blue Point will be the center of attention as the favorite in Saturday’s Group 1 July Cup at six furlongs on turf at Newmarket, England. Trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolpin Racing, Blue Point was 10-3 in the future book market Thursday and leader of a field of 14.

Alpha Centauri was so brilliant wining the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot it’s hard to imagine what she could do for an encore.

Overseas antepost bettors evidently are expecting more of the same from Alpha Centauri, who is an early odds-on favorite to win the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes on Friday at Newmarket. Alpha Centauri is one of seven entrants in the Falmouth, a straight-course mile.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS

(Wednesday, July 18)

Brett Davis
R1: 2-3-9-7
R2: 2-1-8-12
R3: 1-2-5-6
R4: 8-2-4-11
R5: 6-4-10-7
R6: 8-2-10-6
R7: 8-6-3-4
R8: 2-12-8-5
Best Bet - R4: #8 Charity Wings
Longshot - R5: #6 Dynamic Eagle
Best Play - R4: Q/Qp 8/,2,4,11

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS

(Wednesday, July 11, 2018)

RACE 1: #3 Money Winner, #2 Letsgofree, #1 Glory Star, #9 Telecom Titan

RACE 2: #2 Mr Picasso, #12 Top Strike, #9 Diamond Legend, #4 Jolly Bountiful

RACE 3: #2 Mr Right, #1 Lamarosa, #5 Flying Monkey, #8 Fortune Anthem

RACE 4: #2 Sichuan Boss, #2 Go Go Win, #11 Good Choice Ahead, #8 Charity Wings

RACE 5: #9 McQueen, #1 Multi Facets, #8 Har Har Heart, #4 Sky Melody

There are two days of races remaining in Hong Kong’s 2017-18 season, beginning with Wednesday’s eight-race program at Happy Valley Racecourse. The season ends on Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse. The 2018-19 season begins in early September.

Wednesday’s leading race is the $237,003 Sun Jewellery Handicap at six furlongs on turf, which will have 12 starters.