Laurel River, smashing winner of the 2024 Dubai World Cup, is the latest defection from the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 22.
Laurel River’s trainer, Bhupat Seemar, posted on social media that Laurel River had suffered a minor setback that prevented him from undertaking his final breeze before the Saudi Cup. Seemar said Laurel River instead would be aimed to the Dubai World Cup on April 5.
By Leo Schlink
Ricky Yiu is hopeful Dragon Joy can take a crucial step towards emulating the feats of decorated stablemate Voyage Bubble when the emerging talent contests the Class 3 Rose Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (16 February) against several other HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) aspirants.
Yiu has ambitious plans for Dragon Joy after the gelding’s eye-catching last-start 1600m victory at Sha Tin on 12 January against a string of Four-Year-Old Classic Series contenders including Markwin, Sky Heart, Silvery Breeze and Mickley.
The battle for the Hong Kong trainers’ championship continued to intensify at Sha Tin’s all-dirt meeting on Wednesday night (12 February) as David Hayes moved to the top of the standings with a double and Caspar Fownes took overall honours with a treble.
Hayes vaulted into the championship lead with the wins of Precision Goal and Falcon Court, leaving the dual Hong Kong champion trainer with 30 wins – one clear of Danny Shum (29) and Pierre Ng (29) - while Fownes moved into ninth place with the victories of Daily Trophy, Charming Steed and Capital Delight.
By Declan Schuster
Mask Rider (131lb) scored a super impressive first-up win in Hong Kong last month and tomorrow night (Wednesday, 12 February) the Justify gelding is aiming to repeat the dose in a quality Class 3 Shui Chuen O Handicap (1200m) under Keagan De Melo at Sha Tin.
Hong Kong’s midweek programme features nine races – all on dirt. De Melo steps from gate two against 11 rivals, including Dragon Air Force (117lb) – a winner of his last two starts – in the HK$1.86 million contest.
Paul Lally:
R1 6-3-12-9
R2 5-10-2-4
R3 12-7-3-4
R4 3-9-1-8
R5 4-3-2-6
R6 1-8-12-4
R7 4-8-9-7
R8 9-12-2-3
R9 11-1-13-7
Best Bet R8 N9 Mojave Desert
Longshot R3 N12 Gimme Five
Play R9 QQP 1-11-13
Mark McNamara:
R1 3.12.6.7
R2 4.9.2.10
R3 7.4.9.3
R4 8.9.3.7
R5 6.7.4.5
R6 1.8.2.12
R7 8.4.7.1
R8 9.3.2.10
R9 11.13.7.1
Best Bet R5 N6 Fortune Warrior
Longshot R4 N8 Snowalot
Play R5 Q/QP 4.6.7
Luke Ferraris continued a blistering form surge with success aboard veteran sprinter Lucky With You in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 TVB Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (9 February), leaving the young South African jockey with three feature victories in 10 days.
Buoyant after wins in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on My Wish at Sha Tin on 31 January and the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Tsun Yip Handicap (1650m) on Mr Ascendency at Happy Valley on Wednesday (5 February), Ferraris continued a stunning season with Lucky With You’s triumph.
Sha Tin Selections
(Wednesday, February 12)
Race 1: #6 Ever Smart, #3 Modest Gentleman, #2 Island Golden, #8 Fung
Race 2: #12 Wind Speeder, #4 Sonic Boom, #9 Cheer For South, #5 Speedy Smartie
Race 3: #7 He Was You, #9 Hinokami Kagura, #10 Yeah Buddy, #1 Sunny Darling
Race 4: #3 Reliable Profit, #7 Viva Chaleur, #2 Red Majesty, #9 Forever Folks
Race 5: #2 Bowser, #4 Looks Outstanding, #3 Riding High, #7 Vulcanus
By Declan Schuster
Brett Crawford will become the latest trainer from South Africa to ply his trade in Hong Kong after receiving a licence to compete in the city for the upcoming 2025/26 racing season.
Crawford, 53, follows the likes of former South African-based handlers Tony Millard (709 Hong Kong wins) and David Ferraris (460) by switching tacks to Hong Kong as he was welcomed at Sha Tin this morning (Friday, 7 February) by Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Andrew Harding, at a press briefing.
