Clash of the Titans

[NoChanceToDance]

Well done to Salford Mill/Helene Mascot, he could be very good out there. In my opinion, he would be even better over 10 furlongs.

Over the moon for Good Ba Ba, I still think he is underrated. Not quite sure why Viva Pataca was made favourite over a mile. I suppose it's because he has such a following.

Hope you all made a profit playing these races.

[NoChanceToDance]

Viva Pataca was made odds on?!?!?

From HKJC

http://www.hkjc.com/english/news/news_2008012017963.htm

Good Ba Ba dazzles in Stewards' Cup cruise

20 January 2008

One international champion reaffirmed his status as Hong Kong's best miler and a new name shot to Derby favouritism on a terrific Group 1 mile double-header at Sha Tin on Sunday.

If anything, Good Ba Ba improved on the performance that earned a narrow victory in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile last month in the HK$8m Citi Stewards' Cup, the first leg of the Citi Triple Crown. Half an hour earlier, Helene Mascot made a winning local debut in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile, also worth HK$8m.

Good Ba Ba's length and a quarter victory from Floral Pegasus was unquestionably the highlight of the day, however, and it enhanced his status as one of the best milers in the world.

Just eight runners went to post in a race that was widely billed as a match between Good Ba Ba and Viva Pataca, surprisingly backed into odds-on favouritism despite dropping back to a distance short of his best.

The early tempo was sedate with the market leaders quietly ridden at the tail of the field. But when they swung for home Good Ba Ba let rip with a scalding turn of foot that left Viva Pataca chasing shadows and soon he overhauled Floral Pegasus with over 100m to race.

"I've never seen a miler who can relax off the pace and kick home in 22 seconds like he does. He's something special. I'd say that run was even better than winning the international mile because he didn't idle in front like he can do. He kept going all the way to the line and he looks to have improved," winning trainer Andreas Schutz said.

Good Ba Ba is likely to have his next start in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, the final leg of the Champion Sprint Series on March 16, to set up the prospect of a fascinating clash with the world's leading sprinter, Sacred Kingdom.

"There is no horse in Hong Kong with the same kind of acceleration as Good Ba Ba - except for Sacred Kingdom. We'll see who's best if they meet each other," Schutz added.

March 16 is also the date of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby and Helene Mascot, trained by Tony Cruz, looks sure to figure prominently in the most prestigious event on the domestic programme judged on his tenacious success in the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile.

Making his Hong Kong bow, Helene Mascot raced close to the pace under Felix Coetzee and ground down outsider Horace's Choice inside the final strides to score by a neck. It was the first time for a horse to land a local Gr.1 on its HK debut since Firebolt won the Centenary Sprint Cup in 2002.

Fearless ran third with Green Birdie in fourth. Race favourite Never Look Back set the early pace but weakened in the stretch to finish ninth.

"He travelled well, we had a nice prominent position and he fought on exceptionally well in the finish. Horace's Choice went away on us at the 200m but I always felt that we were going to catch up with him," Coetzee said of the colt who raced as Salford Mill last year in England where he won a Listed Race prior to finishing sixth in the Epsom Derby.

"I think he can improve but I'll leave that side of it to Tony because he is so good at getting them spot on for the big day. Not many can come in here from overseas and win first up, never mind win a Gr.1 so he's a very exciting horse.

"It feels already that the distance of 1800m in the Derby Trial and 2000m in the Derby is just what he wants," Coetzee summed up.

Allied to their winning cheque of HK$4.56m, Helene Mascot's owners also netted an extra HK$600,000 as part of the 'First Win Bonus' for horses that win in Class 1 or higher in its first season locally.

[my miss storm cat]

Photos...

http://www.hkjc.com/english/news/news_2008012017965.htm

http://www.hkjc.com/english/news/news_2008012017961.htm

Lucky Money wins 9 and Lu Yue / Win Pract / South Breeze / Singing Diners in 10 (NUmbers boy bumped),.

RACE 8(333)
Race Class: 3yo+ - 1600 Metres
THE CITI STEWARDS' CUP
HK$ 8,000,000.00

Course : Turf - "B+2" Course
Race Time : (24.70) (48.2) (1.11.7) (1.34.3)
Sectional Time : 24.70 23.50 23.50 22.60


Placing Horse No. Horse Jockey Actual Wt. Draw Length
Behind
Winner Finishing
Time
1 2 GOOD BA BA(E201) O Doleuze 126 4 - 1.34.30
2 4 FLORAL PEGASUS(G011) G Mosse 126 2 1-1/4 1.34.50
3 1 VIVA PATACA(G096) D Beadman 126 8 3 1.34.70
4 3 DOWN TOWN(G054) D Whyte 126 7 3-1/4 1.34.80
5 6 ABLE ONE(G108) G Boss 126 1 3-3/4 1.34.90
6 10 ROYAL PRINCE(H072) B Prebble 126 6 4-1/4 1.34.90
7 8 VIVA MACAU(H110) Z Purton 126 3 6-1/4 1.35.20
8 9 ART TRADER(E131) E Saint-Martin 126 10 10-3/4 1.36.00



Racing Incident Report
JOYFUL WINNER was withdrawn on raceday morning by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice (fever). Prior to being presented in the marshalling yard, it was reported SIR ERNESTO had a fever. Acting on the advice of the Veterinary Officer that SIR ERNESTO was not suitable to race, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of the horse. Before being allowed to race again, both JOYFUL WINNER and SIR ERNESTO will be subjected to an official veterinary examination. ROYAL PRINCE bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. In the early part of the Straight, ROYAL PRINCE had difficulty obtaining clear running between ABLE ONE and DOWN TOWN. VIVA PATACA, GOOD BA BA and FLORAL PEGASUS were sent for sampling. After the race, the Veterinary Officer reported ART TRADER had bled from both nostrils.


Hope Horace is okay.

[my miss storm cat]

Epilogue...

2. Fines
Race 3: A Delpech (LIFELINE PEGASUS): $20,000 for careless riding near the 900 Metres and $20,000 for careless riding near the 300 Metres.

D Whyte (MY HOME TOWN): $80,000 for careless riding after the 500 Metres.
3. Severe Reprimands
Race 1: G Moss?(TOWKAY FLYER) for shifting in after the 200 Metres.

Race 3: S K Sit (SOLAR ENERGY) for shifting in close to the line.

Race 5: Z Purton (LUCKY HERO) for shifting in making the turn at the 800 Metres.

Apprentice K L Chui (COUNTRY MUSIC) for shifting out at the 100 Metres.

Race 7: D Beadman (JACKPOT DELIGHT) for shifting in after the start.
4. Warnings
Race 3: C Soumillon (DOUBLE LUCK) re his riding passing the 600 Metres.

Race 5: F Coetzee (MAVERICK STAR) for shifting in at the 100 Metres.
5. Suspensions
Race 3: A Delpech (LIFELINE PEGASUS) for two counts of careless riding near the 900 Metres and near the 300 Metres (24 January 2008 to 31 January 2008 on which day he may resume race riding ?2 Hong Kong racedays each and to be served concurrently.)

D Whyte (MY HOME TOWN) for careless riding making the Home Turn (28 January 2008 to 3 February 2008 on which day he may resume race riding ?2 Hong Kong racedays).
6. Stewards?Inquiry & Protest/Objection

Race 3
7. Bleeder
Race 8: ART TRADER (2nd time)
8. Stalls Test
Race 3: BELONG TO CASA

9. Official Barrier Trials
Race 6: GALAXY DANCER

Race 10: FLYING TAMARI
10. Official Veterinary Examinations
Race 1: SOU MA TAM

RAINBOW OASIS

Race 2: EXCELLENT BOY

Race 6: GALAXY DANCER

Race 7: HORACE CHOICE

Race 8: JOYFUL WINNER

SIR ERNESTO

Race 10: FLYING TAMARI
11. Adjourned Inquiry
Race 2

[my miss storm cat]

Art Trader bows out.

Bye good boy... hope you get to go somewhere nice now where you can breath.