Mama Cocha, the 2023 champion sprinter in Japan, and Victor the Winner, a recent surprise Group 1 sprint winner in Hong Kong, are part of a massive field of 18 in Sunday’s Grade 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at six furlongs on turf at Chukyo Racecourse in Japan.
The $2.17 million Takamatsunomiya Kinen is the first Grade 1 of the year on turf in Japan, preceded by the February Stakes on dirt.
Sometimes longshots prevail in the big time, last year’s BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) is a testament to that when Voyage Bubble won at odds of 45/1, and trainer Frankie Lor is hoping this Sunday (24 March) is one of those days when he saddles Unbelievable in the 147th running of the city’s supreme four-year-old test.
Blake Shinn concedes drawing barrier 14 in the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with Galaxy Patch is “not ideal” but the Australian believes Pierre Ng’s charge has the temperament and class to overcome the challenge.
“It’s not ideal and it’s another challenge that we have to face with this horse but I still believe that, when I study the draw and look at the opposition, a lot of the other main chances are also drawn wide,” Shinn said.
Storm Boy has been impossible to catch in four starts against Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds in Australia since his debut in early December, winning by at least 1 1/4 lengths in each race after racing prominently.
The Australian-bred Switzerland has been impossible to hold off from off the pace in three starts since his debut in late January, going unbeaten and often showing a fine display of late speed.
Miracle Spin flew through the final furlong of a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, Australia, on March 2 to miss winning by a short head.
The narrow loss served as a prep for the richest race of Miracle Spin’s career in the $130,600 Albury Gold Cup at the same distance at Albury Racecourse on Thursday evening.
Miracle Spin was the 2-1 favorite in a field of 11 as of early Wednesday, a slight choice over two attractive rivals in Fawkner Park and So United.
Paul Lally:
R1 6-10-12-1
R2 3-7-4-8
R3 8-5-3-1
R4 1-4-11-9
R5 4-6-10-7
R6 3-12-5-8
R7 6-4-5-2
R8 6-7-4-8
R9 10-11-3-1
Best Bet R6 N3 Gallant Valour
Longshot R5 N4 E Universe
Play Race2 QQP 3-4-7
Tom Wood:
R1: 6-10-5-1
R2: 3-7-2-5
R3: 5-3-8-10
R4: 4-11-3-5
R5: 6-1-7-10
R6: 3-2-5-12
R7: 2-6-4-10
R8: 5-4-10-6
R9: 10-3-4-5
By Declan Schuster
Lyle Hewitson is confident Speed Dragon can handle the distance rise in Sunday’s (24 March) HK$26 million 147th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin.
Untested over the trip, Speed Dragon finished an impeded fourth in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) before travelling wide throughout when ninth in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) – both races were won by Helios Express.
By Declan Schuster
Massive Sovereign burst onto the scene earlier this month and Zac Purton believes the Irish-bred’s ability to quickly adapt to different circumstances can prove decisive in Sunday’s (24 March) HK$26 million 147th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) at Sha Tin.
The four-year-old demolished a solid Class 3 field on debut in Hong Kong over this weekend’s course and distance. He’ll make just his second start in the city when he lines up in Sha Tin’s most-famed and desired contest after arriving as a two-time winner in Ireland for trainer Aidan O’Brien.
