Fri, 04/25/2025 - 13:14

Ground should suit Sosie in Prix Ganay

Barbara D. Livingston
Al Riffa won the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin last year and finished third in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia in his first start this year.

For Sosie, one of Europe’s top 3-year-olds of 2024, racing on soft turf is fine. Racing on heavy or very soft turf does not work.

Sosie was fourth by 4 1/4 lengths as the 7-2 favorite in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on very soft turf at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris last October. Trainer Andre Fabre later cited the condition of the course as a contributing factor in the loss.

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 14:29

Luke Middlebrook's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, April 27, 2025

Hong Kong Jockey Club
Sha Tin turf racing.

Sha Tin Selections
(Sunday, April 27, 2025) 

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 13:34

Hong Kong: Ka Ying Rising a virtual lock for 12th straight win in Chairman's Sprint

Hong Kong Jockey Club
Ka Ying Rising, a winner of 11 straight races, holds the track record at Sha Tin for the Chairman's Sprint six-furlong distance.

The leading sprinter is such a standout that his trainer says 1-5 is worth a bet.

The top mile race is a showdown between a red-hot Australian and a local star, while the richest race on the program, at 1 1/4 miles, could be won by several runners who last started in four countries.

The three Group 1 races at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on Sunday offer an array of talent, though none have been as dominant as Ka Ying Rising, who is widely expected to win his 12th consecutive start in the $2.83 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize at six furlongs.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 15:42

Living the Aussie dream - from Hawkesbury to Kembla Grange to Royal Randwick

Steve Andersen in Australia April 2025
Bradley Photographers
DRF correspondent Steve Andersen (right) was in perpetual motion during a recent nine-day stay in Australia, and enjoyed every minute of it.

This doesn’t appear in travel guides, but take it from a slightly warped expert, it works, and is worthwhile.

When arriving in a new country, the best approach for a racing-mad person is to avoid hesitation. Go straight to a racetrack. Big or small.

Of course, check into a hotel, but only to ditch luggage. No excuses after that. Grab the binoculars and go. There’s action to watch.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 10:31

Jumbo Treasure chases city riches at Happy Valley

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Jumbo Treasure was an easy victor at the end of March.

By Declan Schuster

Jumbo Treasure burst onto the scene with a smashing first victory last month and trainer Cody Mo’s young talent is aiming to recreate those heroics at Happy Valley in Wednesday night’s (23 April) Class 4 Lusitano Challenge Cup Handicap (1200m).

Overcoming barrier 13 last start, Jumbo Treasure exploded to the front under Derek Leung before scoring by a comfortable two lengths at Sha Tin on 30 March. The Written Tycoon gelding steps from gate six tomorrow night and will again sport cheek pieces. 

Mon, 04/21/2025 - 08:16

Luke Middlebrook's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Selections for Wednesday's racing program from Happy Valley.
Wednesday's Happy Valley program features nine races.

Happy Valley Selections
(Wednesday, April 23, 2025)

Fri, 04/18/2025 - 11:42

Hong Kong Selections for Sunday, April 20, 2025

Hong Kong Jockey Club
Sha Tin turf racing.

Paul Lally: 
R1 11-12-10-2 
R2 3-7-8-4 
R3 8-1-7-2 
R4 5-1-13-8 
R5 1-2-8-3 
R6 9-10-4-7 
R7 4-6-2-1 
R8 12-1-2-3 
R9 4-2-3-8 
R10 2-10-11-1 
Best Bet R7 N4 Bottomuptogether 
Longshot R4 N5 Blue Baron 
Play R6 QQP 4-9-10 

Thu, 04/17/2025 - 18:48

Pierre Ng to decide on G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize plans for Beauty Waves this weekend

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Beauty Waves is a four-time winner in Hong Kong.

By Leo Schlink

A start for Beauty Waves in the HK$22 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) on 27 April will hinge on the gelding’s performance in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Kowloon Bay Handicap (1200m, dirt) at Sha Tin this Sunday (20 April).

Thu, 04/17/2025 - 11:18

FWD Champions Day Form Guide for free distribution this Sunday

The FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin Racecourse on 27 April will bring together on one race day the FWD QEII Cup, the FWD Champions Mile and the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, three world class Group 1 races worth a combined HK$74 million. To ensure customers are well informed for this international event, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has produced a Form Guide for free distribution.

Thu, 04/17/2025 - 11:11

Luke Middlebrook's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Sunday, April 20, 2025

Hong Kong Jockey Club
Sha Tin turf racing.

Sha Tin Selections
(Sunday, April 20, 2025)