HK updates, etc.

[my miss storm cat]

Trackwork notes.....

RACE ONE, RATED 40-20 (C5), 1,600 METRES
Spicy Hot has not galloped since his race last week but has come through it well and moved nicely in his canters this week. China Sportfield as done plenty of work since his first-up race and looks nice and bright. Frames Depot has also been improved by his first-up run and looked trimmer when seen out later in the week. Show Bravely has been working attractively and, like so many of the Me Tsui yard, he's in very good order.

RACE TWO, RATED 80-60 (C3), 1,600 METRES
Man In The Mirror has trialled strongly and also moved well in his final gallop. South Breeze has done some attractive work and stretched out nicely in his final gallop with Gerald Mosse on board. The Goodies is fitter for recent work, and a trial, and has been brought along well by his two gallops this week. Dr More had a race last week and been improved by it - he looked great when out cantering on Saturday morning.

RACE THREE, RATED 60-40 (C4), 1,600 METRES
Super Fantasy's work is fairly stock standard and he's maintained the work ethic in recent weeks. Super Ideal looks in outstanding order and has really caught the eye the last two occasion's he's galloped. Vincere is another who appears in great order and trainer John Moore has him ready to fire. Palette The best is improving quickly and has come on nicely after one run.

RACE FOUR, RATED 40-15 (C5), 1,4100 METRES
Cop Hill Lad had no luck when caught wide last week and is ready to perform second-up. Vital Patrol backs up and drops a class, and importantly the recent racing has had a calming effect on him. Withallmyheart looked a big stronger on Saturday when he came down attractively in his final gallop. Multi-Win Spirit has maintained the standard of his work, and Dragon Inn has done everything right - beaten but under a strong hold in his riverside gallop Thursday.

RACE FIVE, RATED 60-40 (C4), 1,400 METRES
Ferro Beau has been doing his galloping on the racetrack but will present as a very fit horse today. Headingly has been a substantial improver, showing his readiness with a defeat of Star Of Fame in his Saturday gallop. King Creole has also gone the right way and his recent work under Anthony Delpech has been attractive. General Speedee looks much better following two races and will give some cheek here with a postage-stamp weight.

RACE SIX, RATED 80-60 (C3), 1,000 METRES
Plezayre raced on Wednesday, tiring under his big weight of 132 pounds but will appreciate the claim here. Always Giggle went nicely in a riverside on Thursday and he too looks ready. Galbraith has won two barrier trials and this very good gallop looks set to add to his record. Cosmo Successor looked nice and loose in his final gallop - it was probably better work than the gallop before he resumed.

RACE SEVEN, RATED 100-80 (C2), 1,800 METRES
After a rocky start, Socrates has improved and his latest trial and final gallop were both satisfactory. Packing Winner is a galloping machine and he stretched out very well in a final gallop under Robert Mak on the all-weather track. Go Johnny Go has also improved since his first-up run and is ready to run an improved race. Bullish Cash held Electronics Spur at bay by ¾ length when they matched motors on Friday.

RACE EIGHT, RATED 95+ (G3), 1,000 METRES
Scintillation was never off the bridle in a recent all-weather trial over 1,200m. Natural Blitz flew down the riverside on Thursday. Sacred Kingdom went very well when second to Adaikali in a barrier trial. Adaikali's time in winning that barrier trial was the fastest over 1,050m for almost five years. Friendly Gains went well in his final gallop when ridden off his workmate.

RACE NINE, RATED 100+ (G3), 1,400 METRES
Able One was brilliant in winning a barrier trial last Tuesday. Stablemate Joyful Winner also quickened up nicely to narrowly win his trial. Down Town went smoothly under Douglas Whyte down the riverside on Thursday. Green Birdie has done three nice pieces of work since he resumed. Pocket Money has maintained his level of trackwork performance, and Tiber looks in great shape, nice and fresh.

RACE TEN, RATED 80-60 (C3), 1,400 METRES
Mutual Friendship worked stylishly down the riverside on Thursday. O'Reilly Rally packed a punch with his final gallop, a blistering 21.7 seconds for 400 metres. Paul O'Sullivan has Fingers Crossed in great order and he looked great in his final gallop. Mutual Fun went well in his barrier trial on Tuesday, while Miraculous has gone well on two occasions since his slightly disappointing run at Happy Valley, when he pulled up with some breathing distress.

[my miss storm cat]

Wow, still haven't watched the replays but Tiber? A real shocker.

The kids needed one back, Snowdrops... Joyful and Sunny et al are just getting warmed up.

Great to see Planet Ruler and the national treasure The Duke hit the board.

A great day for Cheng! Who'd have thought.....


RACE 8(064)
Race Class: GROUP-3 - 1000 Metres - (095+)
THE SHA TIN SPRINT TROPHY (HANDICAP)
HK$ 2,300,000.00

1 6 SACRED KINGDOM(G268) G Mosse 119 9 - 0.55.90
2 13 FRIENDLY GAINS(G300) G Boss 113 5 1-1/2 0.56.10
3 4 PLANET RULER(B359) O Doleuze 120 7 1-1/2 0.56.10
4 5 NATURAL BLITZ(E227) F Coetzee 119 6 2-1/4 0.56.20
5 8 ROYAL DELIGHT(G192) Z Purton 117 2 2-1/2 0.56.30
6 1 SCINTILLATION(C228) E Saint-Martin 133 8 3-1/4 0.56.40
7 3 ABLE PRINCE(C348) M Nunes 122 1 3-1/2 0.56.40
8 14 SKYVIEW BAR(G024) Y T Cheng 113-2 14 4-3/4 0.56.60
9 12 COUNTRY MUSIC(D035) K L Chui 113-7 10 5-1/2 0.56.80
10 10 EXPECTATIONS(D078) H W Lai 113-5 11 6-1/4 0.56.90
11 2 SUNNY SING(E135) D Beadman 127 12 8 0.57.10
12 11 SILVER SUN(E126) W M Lai 113-2 3 11-1/4 0.57.60
13 9 ADAIKALI(E181) A Delpech 113 13 11-1/4 0.57.70
14 7 FLAMING LAMBORGINI(E146) S K Sit 118-3 4 12-3/4 0.57.90

Racing Incident Report
On jumping, FLAMING LAMBORGINI lost ground when crowded for room between SILVER SUN and FRIENDLY GAINS which shifted in. Shortly after the start, EXPECTATIONS and SUNNY SING were checked when crowded for room between COUNTRY MUSIC and ADAIKALI which shifted in after being bumped by SKYVIEW BAR. At the 250 Metres, SUNNY SING, which was held up and unable to obtain clear running, was steadied and shifted in. Near the 200 Metres, COUNTRY MUSIC was checked when crowded for room between ADAIKALI and PLANET RULER (O Doleuze) which after initially being carried out by SCINTILLATION then shifted further of its own accord whilst being ridden along. In the circumstances, O Doleuze was reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. When questioned, M Nunes (ABLE PRINCE) said from the inside barrier with the rail in the C+3 position, he was instructed to ride the horse on the inside rail. ADAIKALI was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of ADAIKALI after the race did not show any significant findings. SACRED KINGDOM and FRIENDLY GAINS and were sent for sampling.



RACE 9(065)
Race Class: GROUP-3 - 1400 Metres - (100+)
THE NATIONAL DAY CUP (HANDICAP)
HK$ 2,300,000.00

1 12 TIBER(D155) Y T Cheng 113-2 13 - 1.20.70
2 10 POCKET MONEY(E253) F Coetzee 113 8 N 1.20.80
3 1 THE DUKE(B282) W M Lai 133-2 12 N 1.20.80
4 4 EGYPTIAN RA(E002) E Saint-Martin 126 7 1-1/4 1.20.90
5 2 ABLE ONE(G108) Z Purton 131 1 1-1/4 1.20.90
6 7 GREEN BIRDIE(H245) G Boss 117 2 1-1/2 1.20.90
7 5 DOWN TOWN(G054) D Whyte 125 6 1-1/2 1.20.90
8 8 SURVEY SURVEY(H070) K L Chui 116-7 3 1-3/4 1.21.00
9 6 DAVE'S BEST(C060) G Mosse 118+1 9 4-3/4 1.21.40
10 9 NILOMETER(D052) M Nunes 113+1 11 5-1/2 1.21.60
11 3 JOYFUL WINNER(E045) D Beadman 130 5 5-1/2 1.21.60
12 13 SOUNDS BEST(E255) M W Leung 113-5 10 6 1.21.70
13 11 SAN LORENZO(C092) H W Lai 113-5 4 6-1/2 1.21.70


Racing Incident Report
As Apprentice K T Yeung, the declared rider of SAN LORENZO, was overweight, permission was given for Apprentice H W Lai to be substituted. Apprentice Yeung was fined $4,000 for accepting a ride for which he was found to be overweight. When being loaded, POCKET MONEY made contact with the back gate of its stall. POCKET MONEY was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. At the 1300 Metres, GREEN BIRDIE was steadied when crowded for room inside SURVEY SURVEY (Apprentice K L Chui) which initially shifted in of its own accord and then shifted in further away from SAN LORENZO which also shifted ground. In the circumstances, Apprentice Chui was severely reprimanded and told to exercise greater care. E Saint-Martin (EGYPTIAN RA) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 1200 Metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of DOWN TOWN, causing that horse to be carried in across the rightful running of JOYFUL WINNER which as a result was checked. In the circumstances of this case, the Stewards considered the appropriate penalty was for E Saint-Martin's licence to ride in races be suspended until Monday 29 October 2007 on which day he may resume race riding (2 Hong Kong racedays). The commencement of this suspension is deferred until Monday 22 October 2007, the day on which Jockey Saint-Martin was eligible to resume race riding from a prior suspension. In addition, E Saint-Martin was fined $35,000 in lieu of a suspension for a period incorporating one further raceday. Shortly after this incident, POCKET MONEY was checked and SURVEY SURVEY hampered when crowded for room inside JOYFUL WINNER (D Beadman) which after being interfered with momentarily shifted in. In the circumstances, no action was taken, however, D Beadman was advised to do his utmost to protect his fellow riders. Near the 800 Metres, DAVE'S BEST was left racing wide and without cover. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, SOUNDS BEST was steadied away from the heels of GREEN BIRDIE which hung out and was steadied away from the heels of SURVEY SURVEY. After this incident, GREEN BIRDIE continued to hang out in the middle stages. For some distance approaching and passing the 300 Metres, GREEN BIRDIE had difficulty obtaining clear running. At the 150 Metres, JOYFUL WINNER was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between SURVEY SURVEY and POCKET MONEY, both of which shifted ground. At the 50 Metres, DAVE'S BEST, which was giving ground, was steadied when momentarily crowded for room between SURVEY SURVEY and GREEN BIRDIE which got its head on the side and shifted out away from THE DUKE which shifted out slightly. No action was taken. Over the concluding stages, DOWN TOWN and ABLE ONE raced tight with DOWN TOWN being close to the heels of TIBER and ABLE ONE awkwardly placed inside THE DUKE. Because of this, DOWN TOWN and ABLE ONE were not ridden out to the end of the race as they normally would be. For the major part of the Home Straight, DOWN TOWN and ABLE ONE had difficulty obtaining clear running. When questioned regarding the poor performance of JOYFUL WINNER, D Beadman said after receiving interference in the early stages of the race, JOYFUL WINNER did not appear to concentrate. He said in the middle stages JOYFUL WINNER travelled satisfactorily. He said after straightening he shifted JOYFUL WINNER into clear running and the horse responded to his riding for only a short distance before commencing to give ground. JOYFUL WINNER was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of JOYFUL WINNER after the race did not show any significant findings. TIBER and POCKET MONEY were sent for sampling.

He tried! He'll do better next time .

Thanks for the results, mmsc! I've been looking forward to seeing how he would do .

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by snowdrops

He tried! He'll do better next time .

Thanks for the results, mmsc! I've been looking forward to seeing how he would do .

Next time is right!

* * *

Howie gets some press for once.....

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Cheng lays claim to October 1 monopoly
Local ace wins National Day Cup for fourth time

MURRAY BELL


The Jockey Club might have to consider renaming the National Day feature the Howard Cheng Cup, with the leading local rider yesterday adding to his already amazing record in the race, this time with 32-1 chance Tiber.
Cheng has won four of the last five National Day Cups and did not have a ride in the other year. They've all been at double-figure prices too - Prime Witness (70-1 in 2003), Fokine (10-1 in 2005) and Flaming Lamborgini (11-1) last year.

This year, Cheng even scoffed at suggestions that his National Day luck could be extended even further and was as amazed as anyone when the John Moore-trained Tiber was able to hold off the late thrust of the unfortunate favourite Pocket Money.

"Even when people told me this horse had a chance, I did not believe them," Cheng laughed later. "But my luck in this race is just incredible, I cannot explain it. Even after I've won and been to the trophy presentation, I still don't believe it."

Part of Cheng's luck started in the paddock when Tiber - renowned for getting hot and upset before his races - was cool and serene, showing his years of local experience is finally counting for something.

But on the way out of the paddock and onto the course, it was a more vintage version of Tiber that came to the fore.

"Just as we were coming onto the track, he put on a real turn - he got very upset and was throwing his head around quite violently," Cheng said. "But once I got him out onto the turf, and cantered off, he settled down again."

For those new in town, seeing Tiber on the limit weight of 113 pounds in this Group Three handicap, they could be forgiven for thinking this was a lower-grade horse that scrambled a victory with a big pull in the handicaps.

But Tiber has already been to the top of the tree. The Irish-bred gelding is now seven, but as a four-year-old in 2004 he won the Group One Classic Mile and finished a gallant second to Lucky Owners in the Hong Kong Derby.

Moore confessed the win was as big a surprise to the stable as it was to most punters, though some clever shoppers trimmed him down from $520 to start at $330 (for $10).

"His work hadn't been great and, I have to be honest, it's quite a surprise. But it's one of these things that can happen in these early Group races when the horses are fresh, and a horse like Tiber has such a light weight," Moore said.

"I told Howard that Egyptian Ra would lead, and to use Tiber's light weight to go and sit outside him. This horse has always run us a good race fresh, and I'm very pleased for his owners, who have been great clients for a long time, that he's given them another big win."

Moore was three handed in the race and there was some encouragement for the future from Champions Mile hero Able One (Zac Purton), who finished fifth but only 1 1/4 lengths from the winner in a bunched finish.

"I thought he was a bit unlucky," Moore continued. "Purton told me there was three-quarters of a gap there for the horse, it wasn't enough - he should have been a lot closer. He was the one that seemed to be going very well and I would have liked Darren (Beadman) to ride him."

As for Joyful Winner (Beadman, 11th), Moore said the failed trip to Japan for the Yasuda Kinen in June has exacted its toll once again.

Jockey Felix Coetzee said runner-up Pocket Money was a good thing beaten, with a sharp early check costing the John Size-trained gelding important ground.

[my miss storm cat]

The greatest barrier trials of the season..... (so far)...

http://www.hkjc.com/english/press/btrs.asp

Tuesday, Oct 2
Batch 3

Viva Macau D.Beadman 3 J.Moore SW 2 2 1 - (he is NOT a rabbit)
Industrial Express D.Whyte 2 J.Size 1 1 2 3 1/4
Vital King B.Prebble 5 P.O'Sullivan 5 5 3 2 1/4
Flying Profile C.K.Tong 1 D.Cruz SW 3 3 4 -
Ever Bright O.Doleuze 4 P.O'Sullivan 4 4 5 -

Batch 4

Medic Power B.Prebble 6 P.O'Sullivan 2 1 1 -
Winning Reward H.W.Lai 5 K.W.Lui B 1 2 2 1/2
Bullish Luck K.L.Chui 3 A.S.Cruz B 8 4 3 3/4
Viva Pataca D.Beadman 2 J.Moore H 10 8 4 -
Full Of Joy G.Mosse 10 A.Lee 9 9 5 -
Express Win Y.T.Cheng 7 C.H.Yip 5 5 6 -
Gallant Lion S.Dye 9 C.Fownes 3 6 7 -
Upside Of Anger G.Boss 8 P.O'Sullivan 6 3 8 -
King Encosta Z.Purton 4 A.S.Cruz 7 7 9 -
Maribeau D.Whyte 11 J.Size 4 10 10 -

Wonder if Tony Cruz is screaming at the announcer for calling Bullish luck Bullish Cash. Hmmm...

Bullish Cash just ran, incase he has fans here.

* * *

I love this...

Excerpt.....

China Sportfield will never make the annals of the all-time greats and is unlikely even to be the best horse raced by Peter Yu Kam-ching, but his win in the opener yesterday - with not a protest in sight - put a beaming smile on his owner's face.

"He's a very happy man," said trainer Paul O'Sullivan as he got off the mark for the term.

Last season, China Sportfield (Marco Chui Kwan-lai) was first past the post twice at Happy Valley before losing the race in the stewards' room, but his maiden win yesterday left no room for doubt.

"In his protests, he shifted out both times to lose the race but today he wanted to get in," O'Sullivan said.

"But I think Marco hit the nail on the head - he said the horse doesn't really run in or out, he just runs towards the nearest horse."

[my miss storm cat]

Anthony Delpech gets a 6 week ban.....

Now who gets the VOR mount?

This sucks.

[my miss storm cat]

HKJC.....

APPEAL - Jockey A Delpech

3 October 2007

Jockey A Delpech has lodged notice of his intention to appeal against the penalty of suspension from riding in races for a period to expire on 15 November 2007 imposed by the Racing Stewards on 2 October 2007 for breaching Rule 99(2) and (3).

The Stewards have suspended the operation of this penalty in accordance with Rule 23(5) of the Rules of Racing pending hearing of the Appeal. However, Jockey A Delpech is still required to serve the penalty of suspension for the two race meetings scheduled to be conducted on 17 October and 21 October 2007 as a result of his careless riding offence incurred on 26 September 2007 which is not the subject of Appeal.