Hong Kong Sunday

MDK flying the flag for South Africa and by all accounts Eagle Mountian has been impressing him.


Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (International G1) - Turf 2000M

Thanks Hibby, Presvis is my fancy, but all the best to MDK

Would have been nice to have had a Pocket Power running in a race like this?

This is were i fall down but surely PP would have been close to favourite for a race like this ?

European raiders get best of Hong Kong draw


Hong Kong: A small ray of hope shone on Europe's chances of success in Sunday's Cathay Pacific International race meeting on Thursday after a draw ceremony that delivered few shocks to the visiting runners but dealt potentially knockout blows to key members of Hong Kong's home team.


Britain and France's leading challengers competing for the spoils at what the Hong Kong Jockey Club is billing 'the greatest show on turf', Presvis fared worst at the Sha Tin draw but trainer Luca Cumani was not too disappointed with stall nine as his horse is a notoriously slow starter while another Cup runner Vision d'Etat will be in seven, and Vase hopes Youmzain and Spanish Moon start from seven and five respectively.

Andrew Balding is returningfor a second crack at the Vase with Buccellati, who finished sixth a year ago from stall 11 and will break from draw nine this time.

With high numbers on the outside in Hong Kong, Balding described a wide draw as "a big disadvantage at any of the distances", a misfortune that befell three of the four big race favourites as Collection, market leader in the Cup, drew ten, Mile hat-trick seeking Good Ba Ba, nine, and Viva Pataca, who contests the Vase, 13.

The Sprint was also thrown more open after Australia's All Silent, who has been training exceptionally well, was handed post position 14.


Having experienced so many near-misses at the top level with Youmzain, Mick Channon recognises that the Vase is a prime opportunity for the three time Arc runner-upso was delighted with stall seven, "Kevin Keegan's number".


Channon, who overnight became a grandfather for the third time after daughter Nicky gave birth to a son Milo, said: "I'm very pleased. It's up to KFallon now. The horse has had a great preparation and appears in great nick."

Fallon also partners Presvis who returns to the track where he captured the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in April. Cumani said: "Stall nine is a bit high but it doesn't really matter. He is a slow starter so will be towards the back early. We just need luck in running in the straight."

Of the few betting changes made by William Hill, Spanish Moon was cut to 11-2 from 7-1 for the Vase as Viva Pataca was eased to 100-30 from 3-1. Locally jockey Ryan Moore was reported to have talked of Spanish Moon as a 'certainty', a statement the jockey was playing down.


"It seems to have got around that I've said he was a certainty, but I was winding someone up," he said.


"He's not a certainty, but he's definitely got a chance. I wasn't so worried about where Spanish Moon was drawn, but he's certainly got a nice draw."

Moore, who also rides Confront (drawn 12) in the Mile, added: "It's a pity Confront is drawn out wide as the draw is important here in every race up to a mile and he likes to be up there. I'd have preferred lower, but you just have to get on with it and make the best of whatever you get."

In the Sprint, Prix de l'Abbaye winner Total Gallery was cut to 10-1 from 12-1 after drawing stall two. Borderlescott drew eight and War Artist ten, a position trainer James Eustace said was "not a disaster, although I'd have preferred five, six or seven"

What a great way to start the day,Bacon roll,great racing and Zoe Bird at the helm

ps and my favourite sire wins the first big race(Selkirk you really need some of his blood in SAF,progeny love the soft)

I think that winner Darayana is still unbeaten, but I may be wrong. Another big race win for a filly against the colts.

Also bacon rolls Bob, good racing, beats the church

Lucky guys. I've had to make do with a bowl of corn flakes. Don't get me started on the church thing, though. Lol.

Yep 5 from 5 magic,the boss likes to retire them though..

Hope War Artist runs well in the next,but if Scenic Blast can run anywhere like he did at Royal Ascot he will take a hell of alot of beating

The boss can afford to retire them, hib. There always seems to be a conveyor belt of new ones to take their place. What a breeder!

That was brilliant great race from Good Ba Ba

Thanks dave,we are getting a delayed service in the UK..lol(just going in the stalls) and you think your tellytrack is crap...