Hong Kong Latest: Waikuku lays down major Derby card
The Derby picture is hotting up in Hong Kong but there is a strong midweek fixture at Happy Valley this Wednesday with a hot sprint topping the bill on an eight-race card - live on Sky Sports Racing.
Impressive Waikuku leaps to head of HK Derby rankings
Waikuku will line up for the BMW Hong Kong Derby on March 17 with the highest official rating in the field after another dominant performance at Sha Tin on Saturday.
A mark of 100 or more has been one of the strongest trends when trying to identify a Derby winner for a decade or more.
Waikuku was rated fourth on the list of leading Derby hopefuls on 100 ahead of Saturday’s Lion City Handicap but leapfrogged the Frankie Lor trio of Furore, Dark Dream and Mission Tycoon by giving 9lb plus and a handsome beating to some smart rivals on his first attempt over 1800m.
Easy, Waikuku! John Size's Irish import just made the BMW Hong Kong Derby on 17 March that much the tastier. #HKracing pic.twitter.com/ObCiqofIDZ
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) March 2, 2019
John Size’s fast-improving gelding is now rated 108 - 4lb ahead of Furore and Dark Dream – and the way he powered home under Joao Moreira suggests that 2000m shouldn’t be a problem a week on Sunday.
More details about the final field will emerge this Wednesday but perhaps the most important event between now and the race itself will come when the draw is made next week.
The 2000m start at Sha Tin is directly in front of the grandstand and, with a big, vocal crowd and a short run to the first bend. Those drawn high in a maximum 14-runner field can end up in a tough spot, but it's hard to see Waikuku being out of the mix given his current rapid rate of progress.
Career best needed if Star is to shine again at the Valley
Enrichment cemented his Derby place by finishing third behind Waikuku under Neil Callan and, with Moreira suspended, the Irishman gets the chance to shine aboard one of the most progressive Happy Valley performers of the season in the concluding Arsenal Handicap at 2.50.
John Size’s Country Star is the horse in question and his latest success five weeks ago was his fifth Valley win of the season.
Country Star continues to make hay at the Valley and rewards strong support to complete a Moreira and John Size treble in the Valley nightcap #HKracing pic.twitter.com/yNkaNUQwEQ
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 30, 2019
As can be seen from the video, Country Star has a high cruising speed and that will lend itself well to a contest in which a strong gallop is assured. That said, an 8lb hike for that latest success leaves him on a mark of 100 giving weight all round and only a clear career best will do if his winning spree at the Valley is to continue.
Bang-in-form de Sousa can help Music call the tune again
The beat goes on and on for Silvestre de Sousa, who completed another double aboard the fast-improving Right Choice at Sha Tin on Saturday before hopping over to Macau on Sunday to land another rich prize aboard Horse of Fortune.
And the Brazilian poses a serious threat to Country Star and the rest when he climbs back aboard the highly progressive Music Addition.
This is another gelding who has been raised 8lb for his latest Valley success but that was only to be expected given the way he ran down the freewheeling Handsome Bo Bo three weeks ago.
Music Addition is playing the right tune🎶: Me Tsui's young sprinter powers away to win the last for the double-grabbing @SilvDSousa. #HKracing #HappyWednesday pic.twitter.com/wadcVTacFN
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 13, 2019
Handsome Bo Bo is back for another crack from the inside draw but will get no peace on the lead with the equally speedy Speed Vision and California Fortune in opposition.
Their battle up front suggests this race sets up well for one of the stalkers to pounce and, although he isn't drawn so well as last time in stall 9, Music Addition looks to be progressing fast enough to suggest that he can play a major part again.
De Sousa the danger as Charisma bids to shed his HK maiden tag
How can a horse who won a G1 in France - beating the likes of Cloth of Stars, Talismanic and Red Verdon - be 0-27 and struggling to win from a mark of 70-odd in HK?
The answer is probably hidden away in the quirky head of Helene Charisma and the former Grand Prix de Paris winner has been a money muncher for a long while in HK now.
The Police Cup (1.45) seems a highly appropriate race for a horse who has put so many punters in the poor house - and yet there is a case for the defence.
Namjong Plus with a last-to-first surge under Keith Yeung, his third 1800m win at the Valley, and that makes it a double on the night for trainer Me Tsui. #HKracing #HappyWednesday pic.twitter.com/Iz7YYuFmjZ
— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 23, 2019
Helene Charisma hasn't done a lot wrong of late - finishing third after being checked behind Namjong Plus and Vigor Flame over course and distance last time - and now has a handy low draw and champion jockey Zac Purton aboard for the first time in well over a year.
This might just be the day for him to revive, though it should also be noted that Vigor Fame has shown improvement recently and could well progress further now he has the services of a certain S de Sousa for the first time.
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