Mufasa, the Chilean-bred 6-year-old who won the Grade 3 Vosburgh on Sept. 28 and the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector on Dec. 28, has been sold by owners Carlos Saavedra and Stud Vendaval to Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi’s RRR Racing, trainer Ignacio Correas said this week.

Correas said that Mufasa, by Practical Joke, was bought with the intent of starting the horse in the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Feb. 22 in Saudi Arabia. Correas said he would be listed as the horse’s trainer through that start, but that he didn’t expect Mufasa to return to America.

Tom Wood:
R1: 2-5-8-14
R2: 11-12-1-7
R3: 1-4-8-2
R4: 5-6-9-7 
R5: 2-6-13-7 
R6: 1-3-4-7
R7: 9-10-2-13 
R8: 5-1-8-3
R9: 4-9-3-1
R10: 2-3-5-12
R11: 8-6-14-3
BEST: R10 N2 STUNNING PEACH (WIN) 
VALUE: R5 N2 JOLLY RULER (EW) 
PLAY: R10 QQP 2,3,5

Osipenko, the 5-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding who starts in Friday’s $124,200 January Cup at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney, Australia, is winless in 16 starts since May 2023.

It’s a harsh statistic, and not necessarily a true indication of Osipenko’s recent performances.

On Dec. 26, Osipenko was second by nose in the Summer Cup at 1 1/4 miles at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney, leading in the stretch before being caught at the wire. Osipenko carried 122.3 pounds compared to 116.8 for race winner Tavi Time.

Sha Tin Selections
(Sunday, January 19, 2025)

Karis Teetan is hopeful Hong Kong International Sale graduate Patch Of Theta can make the grade in Sunday’s (19 January) HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) at Sha Tin when Francis Lui’s improving galloper tries horse racing’s elite level for the first time.

Seven potential rivals await Patch Of Theta and the Mauritian jockey, led by dual Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble, victorious in this race last year. Galaxy Patch, Beauty Eternal, California Spangle, Beauty Joy, Chancheng Glory and Red Lion are also entered to run.

by Declan Schuster

Chris So’s stable is on fire at present and the trainer is optimistic of carrying forward his recent form when he takes five runners to Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 January).

So has six wins from the past four fixtures or six from his last 20 runners in Hong Kong. Unbeaten talents The Boom Box, Hong Lok Golf and Mask Rider have each pitched in with wins, vaulting So to 17 this term after 37 of 88 scheduled race meetings for season 2024/25.

Rubylot has confirmed status as a leading contender for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 31 January after winning Class 2 The Racing Club Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 January) as Dragon Joy and Embraces also enhanced Four-Year-Old Classic Series credentials.

Happy Valley Selections
(Wednesday, January 15, 2025)

Race 1: #2 Smashing Express, #12 Red Maverick, #5 Go Go Go, #6 Kasa Papa

Race 2: #9 Me Time, #4 Highland Rahy, #1 Charity Gain, #8 Good Good

Race 3: #11 Take Action, #8 Wah May Wai Wai, #2 Happy Daily, #6 Corleone

Race 4: #6 Bottomuptogether, #5 Brave Star, #7 Stellar Express, #8 Healthy Healthy

Race 5: #1 Happy United, #5 Bits Superstar, #7 Rewarding Twinkle, #6 Champion Method

Race 6: #7 Sea Sapphire, #1 Smart Fighter, #3 Telecom Dragon, #9 Gimme Five

Paul Lally: 
R1: 10-6-1-11 
R2: 1-8-3-2 
R3: 4-3-6-10 
R4: 8-2-7-1 
R5: 3-1-2-5 
R6: 7-12-5-8 
R7: 6-1-4-12 
R8: 6-1-5-4 
R9: 1-6-14-2 
R10: 8-11-2-7 
Best Bet R7 N6 Rubylot 
Longshot R10 N8 Blessed Nation 
Play R5 QQP 1-2-3 

By Leo Schlink

Pierre Ng hopes Johannes Brahms can further consolidate status as a leading Four-Year-Old Classic Series contender with a strong performance in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 The Racing Club Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 January).

Placed at Group 2 level in England when trained by Aidan O’Brien, Johannes Brahms charged late through a narrow gap under James McDonald to win over 1400m at Sha Tin on 22 December, earning a seven-point rise to 83 in the ratings after carrying 131lb.