What A Meeting!
The international meeting at Hong Kong today, despite Jimmy Choux being the only Australasian representative, is a corker. It could also turn out to be a very good value meeting. The short spell away from the formguide did us some good yesterday and we bounced back with some good value winners including our best in Sydney King Gladiator at double figures and Tomboy winning the last in Brisbane at 8/1.
I am very keen on VADEMAR in the first of the international races, the Vase (2400m). Trained by Alain Royer-Dupre for the Aga Khan (the combination that won this race two years ago with Daryakana, this is a very serious racehorse and I think he is the best bet on the program. On our tote you are likely to get overs as Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden (Craig Williams) and Red Cadeaux, first and second in the Melbourne Cup will attract plenty of support.
The sprint this year is so even. Any one of 6 can win with the right run, so luck will be vital. LUCKY NINE had no luck behind Japanese superstar Curren Chan in Japan recently and back on his home turf he looks good value in the race. Last year's runner up Rocket Man has drawn the cheap seat in barrier 13 which will not help his cause and two time winner of this race Sacred Kingdom is in the extreme outside gate of 14.
I think the Japanese can take home the mile with ARAPANE. Jimmy Choux will be competitive and Sahpresa and Xtension have claims as well.
In the international Cup (2000m) I think CALIFORNIA MEMORY is a good thing. He has, for him, drawn badly in one as he will be back in the second half of the field, if not at the tail, and Matt Chadwick will need a lot of luck on him. This horse has an electrifying sprint and if the luck goes his way I think he will be winning. Of course Derby winner Ambitious Dragon and champion French horse Cirrus De Aigles look the other two in a great race.
SHATIN:
1...TAKEANOTHERCHANCE 1, Finezza 2.
2...SUPREME JEWELLERY 1, Best Eleven 2.
3...CAPTAIN SWEET 1, Vaugirard 2.
4...VADAMAR *** 1, Trailblazer 2, Dunaden 3.
5...LUCKY NINE 1, Curren Chan 2, Rocket Man 3.
6...ELEGANCE KLAMMER 1, Champagne Days 2, Fatboy Sugar 3.
7...ARAPANE 1, Xytension 2, Jimmy Choux 3, Sahpresa 4.
8...CALIFORNIA MEMORY ***1, Ambitious Dragon 2, Cirrus De Aigles 3.
9...BULLISH CHAMPION 1, Pretty One 2, King Mossman 3, Pizazz 4, Gift Is Gift 5.
10.FAY FAY 1, Semos 2, Kyara 3.