Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips for Wednesday’s racing taking place at Sha Tin, Funabashi and Will Rodgers Downs, including video analysis.
Other International Racing tips for Wednesday:
Sha Tin Best Bets
Race 1: No11 – EXPONENTS
Trainer: Me Tsui – Jockey: Grant Van Niekerk
Conditions were exactly the same for EXPONENTS when posting his last win here when he enjoyed a good draw, the same weight and the same jockey. His trainer appears to have readied him for this, his third outing of 2020, and if getting the rub of the green he has to be right in the thick of things. Joao Moreira enjoyed a big haul on Sunday and respect is given to his mount AURORA STEED who shaped well in a recent barrier trial. At a big price, FOX CHEUNGER could also get into the mix, with the same jockey that won on him back in February in the hot seat.
Prediction: 11-4-9
Race 2: No4 – GOOD LUCK MONEY
Trainer: Ricky Yiu – Jockey: B Shinn
In a wide open heat a chance is taken with GOOD LUCK MONEY on his debut. Representing the leader in the trainers’ standings, the gelding shaped encouragingly in a trial on dirt at Conghua, hardly coming off the bridle to cross the line with Team Power who finished second here on Sunday. Tony Millward’s LITTLE THUNDER also trialled well while GRACIOUS RYDER knows how to win and can have a slice of the cake.
Prediction: 4-9-2
Race 3: No4 – CURLING LUXURY
Trainer: Me Tsui – Jockey: Zac Purton
A good break from the gate is important to the hopes of CURLING LUXURY who needs to get onto the lead from the 11 berth. If Purton can get him across and into contention he could prove hard to catch. In the same category at which he won here last time, HIDDEN SPIRIT must have a leading chance as he’s perfectly drawn to obtain a stalking position from which to counter in the straight. THE FULL BLOOM troubled the judge in what was his best showing so far this year and can have some sort of say.
Prediction: 4-7-10
Race 4: No7 – EXCEL DELIGHT
Trainer: John Size – Jockey: Joao Moreira
The odds are stacked in favour of EXCEL DELIGHT who is a recent course and distance winner, went close in his follow-up attempt and again has Moreira at the helm. He’s well drawn and given the roll of the dice should prove hard to beat. Less exposed and also beautifully berthed is DAILY BEAUTY who is open to bags of improvement on only a second start on dirt. SKY TREASURE is a three-times course and distance winner running off his last winning mark and well drawn to attack. If he gets out he could be hard to peg back.
Prediction: 7-11-6
Race 5: No6 – THIS ONE’S FOR YOU
Trainer: Francis Lui – Jockey: Vincent Ho
The blinkered grey THIS ONE’S FOR YOU returns to his optimum trip of a mile, having possibly found nine furlongs a shade too far last time. Prior to that, he enjoyed a bountiful start to the year with a win, a second and a third. He rarely fails to light up the board and is narrowly preferred to JADE FORTUNE who is a Class 2 winner running in a Class 4 after some solid efforts at Class 3 this term. Also hard to leave out is SUPER RED DRAGON who ran well on his 2020 return, has a lovely weight and also a favourable draw from which to attack early.
Prediction: 6-1-14
Race 6: No8 – FLYING GENIUS (Nap)
Trainer: Tony Cruz – Jockey: Zac Purton
One of the best bets on the card, FLYING GENIUS is in the perfect slot to be able to control things from the front under Purton. He ended 2019 on a winning streak and looks ready to do so again after his near-miss last month. WIND N GRASS has a similarly consistent ring to his profile and if handling the surface has a good chance of shedding his maiden tag. JUST NOT LISTENING comes into this, having improved from race to race this year.
Prediction: 8-4-9
Race 7: No4 – RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE
Trainer: Michael Chang – Jockey: Joao Moreira
Although it took RIGHTEOUS DOCTRINE a long time to break his duck, the confidence derived from that success under Moreira can inject added spark into the gelding who is the one to beat. Stepping up the distance ladder should be a boon to RED ELYSEES who has looked like a horse getting ready to win. MORE THAN A HORSE can also get involved and is an interesting roughie.
Prediction: 4-6-7
Race 8: No3 – BUDDIES
Trainer: John Moore – Jockey: Joao Moreira
Back on the dirt after a cracking run on grass over an inadequate trip, three times course and distance scorer BUDDIES looms as the one they all have to beat with Moreira in the irons. At the other end of the weights, ELITE PATCH needs respecting and after an eye-catching trial could easily recapture his smart form from the back end of last year. Top weight shouldn’t prevent GLORIOUS ARTIST from a menacing run under Purton. He’s a four-time course and distance scorer and proven at this level.
Prediction: 3-13-1
Jackpot Perm Races 5-8
6, 1, 14, 3/8, 4, 9, 5, 10/4, 6, 7, 10/3, 13, 1
R320
Funabashi Best Bets
Race 2: No8 – MORITO INASE
Trainer: Masashige Honda – Jockey: Kiyoshige Arai
MORITO INASE shaped well over this 1200 metres three weeks ago, running on steadily to finish in the money, but his previous effort when third to Satono Marquis is better and gives him a solid chance. OLWEN has also placed on his last two outings and now cuts back a furlong on the distance ladder. FAIRY SKIP is another taking a dive trip wise and has the fortitude to get involved.
Prediction: 8-3-6
Race 3: No13 – MARRANT
Trainer: Tsubasa Sasagawa – Jockey: Takeshi Mizuno
Course winner MARRANT has looked to be itching for a longer distance and that happens here. It was at 1000m that he delivered before running on when the birds had flown when dropped to 900m at Kawasaki. His stumbling block is a wide draw, and his fate will be decided early. Also compromised with a wide berth but with points on the board from the book is WILD DAUGHTER, and a more reliable proposition is SADAMU SEASON who from his gate has a chance of turning the tables on MARRANT from the previous time they met.
Prediction: 13-4-14
Race 5: No7 – JANE JANE
Trainer: Tsubasa Sasagawa – Jockey: Satoshi Saito
JANE JANE has a propensity to want to be on the pace which is achievable from her midfield draw. She has something to prove after fading the last twice but could appear as the surprise package in an open heat. VIA GLORIOUS has a convincing profile and looks sure to top the market after three near misses. He looks a leading player, while NEXT SQUAD will be hitting the line harder than most and can earn.
Prediction: 7-11-8
Race 8: No6 – HIRUNO BASEL
Trainer: Norifumi Mikamoto – Jockey: Noboru Sakamoto
Hat-trick seeker HIRUNO BASEL brings his A-game to the table and will be hard to stop, having got better race by race this season. He’s a versatile performer who has found the knack of timing his run to perfection. Another last time winner is TOKYO SABAKU who is very closely matched with the selection and can make more of a race of it on revised terms. The pair could dominate but if there’s a roughie to shake them up include TOI TOI TOI.
Prediction: 6-9-1
Race 10: No6 – CHANGE BIO
Trainer: Taito Mori – Jockey: Kiyoshige Arai
The prospects of CHANGE BIO adding this to his laurels are reflected in his price but he is nevertheless hard to get away from. He gamely fought off Cotton Club over course and distance last time after going down fighting in a tight finish on his previous start. He is holding his form well. SHINGEKI beat the selection here in January, followed that up and is a dangerous foe. Closer ESPRIT BROWN is going to enjoy the return to 1200m, and figure.
Prediction: 6-7-10
Will Rodgers Downs Best Bets
