It’s that time of year....HKIR

I’m going to suggest an early pick for TheWizardofOz in the sprint. He’s been more miss than hit in the top class races and a bit of a flat track bully by winning handicaps off top weight but I think he’s got loads of potential and so I think this season is his chance to shine. Moreira is sticking with him over Mr Stunning too which is a good sign.

The milers in HK aren’t up to much so far nothing has filled the void left by AF and then the Ill fated Rapper Dragon. Maybe Helene Paragon can do that as he looked good on his seasonal outing.

I think Werther will be the best chance of a home win in the cup, but that’s not an original selection as there’s not much depth in that division locally.

Howdy HK, hope you are doing well?!

I didn't back anything today, just watched. I was very tempted to back Helene Paragon but John Moore put me off with his pre-race comments (HP wasn't fit enough). I've now backed him for the HK Mile at 9-1 EW (SBet) and will go in again once we know who will be running in this race because I really don't know what international runners are going to turn up?! All the vibes are that connections are expecting another big run from him on HKIR day, like last year... should have won.

Satono Aladdin was favourite before todays races but once again he didn't fire at Kyoto and I don't think he is at his best going right handed. He was too short for me before the racing today and still is IMO.

Lucky Bubbles had no luck at all in the Sprint, horrible race getting blocked multiple times. Mr Stunning was impressive but I will be giving Lucky Bubbles another chance, hopefully his luck will change.

Werther made hard work of it in the Jockey Club Cup. Not a great bunch he was up against today and even though he wasn't at peak fitness I wasn't impressed and will take him on in the HK Cup. Backed my old pal Staphanos this morning at 20-1 EW, the Tenno Sho slog in the mud bath was never going to suit him and it's a race which can be put in the bin and forgot about IMO! It's looking like I will be backing the same horses as last year!!!

Hello Mr D...I’m well thanks. Hope you’re doing well yourself - quick note on our lad, very pleased with him and he’s taken to fences well. Had a small setback as he cut himself schooling but is back on track. The one that beat him last up when he caught the last hurdle has gone on to better things so we think the future’s very bright as he should be much better over fences.

Back to HKIR

I’m hoping they try The Wizard over a mile, 1400m seems his ideal distance, he’s not quite there for G1 pace at 1200m but he’s a very very good horse at 1400m so maybe he can stretch that extra 200. If not I’m on HP anyway, nothing changed my view after Sunday.

The sprint is between Stunning and Bubbles, nothing else.

Think I’ll need to see the field for the cup as Werther is the only HK option, with Gold Mount a lively outsider unless he goes the Vase route.

The Vase is the same, need to see who is coming from abroad,

Great stuff HK, really looking forward to see him go chasing... keep those updates coming.

I still don't get Satono Aladdin's price, fair enough the Magic Man is getting the ride but I really don't think Sha Tin will play to his strengths... Tokyo is his track IMO. Tommy Berry seemed very bullish after the race Sunday, Helene Paragon will be primed for the big day.

The Vase is looking like a very competitive race if all turn up.

The selected runners are announced on Weds so we’ll have a clearer picture then. I did hear Rekindling isn’t coming

Nominations - some very interesting runners if they come.

MrD - Moreira sticking with Seasons Bloom

http://campaigns.hkjc.com/hkir/en/races-hksprint-race-info-selections

They look solid races HK... the Vase could be the best one of the meeting if all turn up.

I think the owner of the Satono horses has assumed jockey's will ride for him no matter what and puts it out there before confirming with them. First it was Ryan Moore in the Japan Cup on Satono Crown and now the Magic Man on Satono Aladdin, oops... or the Japanese journo's are jumping the gun big time!!

One thing that has been confirmed is Hugh Bowman will ride Staphanos and I'm happy with that.

Bowman is on Lucky Bubbles too....

Tuesday 5th Southwell Mr D.....will update.

Not a good trial run for HP on Tuesday

http://streaming.hkjc.edgesuite.net/mobile/brts/2017/20171201/01/eng/brts_20171201_01_eng.m3u8

Hopefully something to look forward to next Tuesday HK.

John Moore doesn't seem too bothered by Helen Paragon's trial but it wasn't great. I'm not massively worried at the moment, his work on the turf next week should give us a better idea.

Had an EW bet on Tiberian in the Vase after he arrived at Sha Tin earlier this week. Backed him at 25-1 with WHill. He had excuses in the Melbourne Cup and should have finished closer than he did but pretty much everything conspired against him. He beat Talismanic twice earlier on in the season pretty easily on Soft ground and the big difference between the prices of the two horses swayed me. Talismanic loves fast ground and ran a cracker at the Breeders Cup and I should have backed him a few weeks ago... his price has shortened up a lot now. I will have to stick him in multiples!

Not running tomorrow Mr D, not had a chance to school this week. Doncaster 15th is the target now, non handicap which isn’t ideal, but it’s a start.

Focus now on Sunday!

No rush HK.

Topped up my Helene Paragon bet after reading Tommy Berry's comments this morning. The John Moore camp are starting to talk about him like they did last year and I'm getting very confident of a big run again.

The draw is on Thursday and out of all my ante post bets I'm preying Staphanos gets a low number... please!

Praying... FFS!

Well that wasn't too bad.

Not convinced Bubbles will like trap 1 but Mr Stunning is perfectly drawn, I think Stunning should win but I am still hoping that Thewizardofoz can put all his promise into a G1 race finally!!
The mlle I'm happy with HP, but I'm also going to have an ew bet on Lancaster Bomber - just think he's got the best form in the race, a serial bridesmaid but I am not convinced that the HK horses at a mile are true G1 standard.

The Vase I can't see beyond the top 3 now that Kiseki is under a cloud.

The Cup is Neorealism for me, don't think Werther is quite as good unless there's some give in the ground.

If you get a chance watch R3 on Sunday, NothingIlikemore is running, he"s won 5 from 5 so far and looks a very good horse.

Pretty deflated with this mornings work and trainers comments regarding Helene Paragon. The work looked OK to me as he's never been flashy but the comments by John Moore and Tommy Berry have got me very worried... it's gone from one extreme to another in the space of a week! That's horse racing.

The draw for Bubbles is not too bad, hopefully Once In A Moon will give him a good tow into the race. Just hoping Bowman doesn't get him trapped on the rail like Zac Purton did (not all his fault) in the Jockey Club Sprint. Bubbles will have to break well.

Staphanos got the barrier I didn't want, obviously praying didn't help with that! Whether it's Hong Kong or Japan he never has much luck with the draw.

Just like Staphanos but in the Vase, Tiberian got the same bloody draw as last years winner. I'm not super happy with that either... really not expecting much from Sunday now but I'm going to have another look at the races and see if I can try and dig my way out of the plop.

Can't have HP anymore MrD, think there's something up with him.

I think LB will find trouble and be unlucky again, Stunning is in a perfect place to get first run on him and keep him boxed in, I'm clinging to the WizardofOz as I do believe he's got a G1 over 1200m in him somewhere! If it was 1400m he"d be a certainty.

I'm still Neorealism for the cup, don't think Werther is quite as good without the give in the ground

The cup I'm waiting to see what the prices are at the course tomorrow, early favs going in will shorten the fancied runners more so will see what happens.

Weather is going to be cool but sunny so should be a good day out!!

Can't have HP anymore MrD, think there's something up with him.

I think LB will find trouble and be unlucky again, Stunning is in a perfect place to get first run on him and keep him boxed in, I'm clinging to the WizardofOz as I do believe he's got a G1 over 1200m in him somewhere! If it was 1400m he"d be a certainty.

I'm still Neorealism for the cup, don't think Werther is quite as good without the give in the ground

The cup I'm waiting to see what the prices are at the course tomorrow, early favs going in will shorten the fancied runners more so will see what happens.

Weather is going to be cool but sunny so should be a good day out!!

Yep HK, not looking good for Helene Paragon... John Moore has only had 1 winner from 23 (last 14 days) and a lot of those horses have ran stinkers. I wouldn't be confident backing any of his horses Sunday... really should have looked a bit deeper before placing my bets but I kept thinking about last years near miss!

Bubbles draw could be a problem but the Sprint is always hard to predict (pace). It will be how well they break which will be the biggest factor IMO. What I did find surprising when reading a preview on the HKJC website, Barrier 1 (Bubbles) and 4 which Mr Stunning is in have never won the HK Sprint since it was moved to the round course... hopefully the stats will be broken for one of us!! What do you think of Blizzard HK? I keep coming back to him but I'm not sure his good enough over 6F! His run in Japan was not bad... I remember Lucky Nine coming back from a 5th placed run in the Sprinter Stakes and then winning the HK Sprint. Tempted to have an EW bet at 18-1.

HKJC Website Sprint Draw

The best placing by a horse breaking from stall one in the Hong Kong Sprint came last year when Peniaphobia burst to the lead and held on for third. Lucky Bubbles’ connections can take heart though as the six-year-old went close from gate one over the Sha Tin 1200m when a neck second in the 2016 G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize.
And then there’s the matter of his big rival and likely race favourite Mr Stunning drawing four. No horse has won, or even placed second, from that berth either.

I don't think I'm going to add any horses in the Vase or Cup, stuggling to be confident with any of them.

Might go with Poets Word but not wild about the draw.  Will get dropped in anyways but the likes of Werther will get first run on him.

anyone awake?

Missed the earlier races but have had a little bet on Poets Word @ 20/1 in the last. Bad draw but the price reflects that.

Sort of panned out how I thought it would... it wasn't a great day.

Helene Paragon ran a cracker and much better than what connections thought. He had way too much to do off a slow pace and was never going to win from where he was. HP still managed to get placed... like last year!

I never liked the draw for Staphanos and he couldn't get a good position but he still ran a solid race. The lack of pace again didn't help matters... another winner from the front. It's hard to catch them a Sha Tin when they get it easy on the front.

I couldn't resist a small EW bet on Blizzard when he drifted out to 33-1 (B365) and that eased some of my pain with his placed effort. Mr Stunning did the business for you HK, pretty close at the end... that D B Pin is improving all the time and ran brilliant form his wide draw.

Tiberian ran no race at all, that has happened a lot this season when I've backed one with Peslier onboard! Great win for Highland Reel, he's been a fantastic globetrotter and his consistency has been remarkable.

http://community.betfair.com/horse_antepost/go/thread/view/94098/30746857/longines-hong-kong-international-races-sunday-11-december-2016---entries-26102016?post_id=550487061#550487061#flvWelcomeHeader#flvWelcomeHeader

The 2016 thread - ffs ! - cant even follow my own advice - didn't have a bet in the end but im a **** for not doing so

RozelKid • November 7, 2016 8:26 PM GMT
Trainers to look out for in the mile and Cup - local trainers who have great records in these races

John Size
John Moore
A Schutz
A S Cruz

Other notable Trainers who have history around there -

P F Yiu
C Fownes
R Gibson

Finally sobered up...a good day. One of my mates is in the ownership of Vidorra and we celebrated her recent win after the racing. Not a complete write off, I talked myself into HR and the quinnella that set me up for a profitable day, gave a little back but Moreira won the last.

Mr D - he’s entered for Donny on Friday, think he’ll struggle as it’s level weights and it’s his first run for a while, once he gets this first run out of the way he’ll be out again fairly quickly as we need to get his rating up fairly quickly (if he’s good enough of course)

Mr D - did you see him win at Newcastle yesterday? First up over fences......we’re quite excited by him.

Totally missed his run HK... again!!! Just watched it and he was impressive, very neat jumper and travelled strongly. He loves this time of the year and another Christmas gift for you and your crew... just like last year. Hopefully he will keep progressing, his jumping was spot on.

Not too sure how strong the race was but he did it nicely and was his first run for 250 days, he'd missed 3 weeks as he cut himself schooling. The jockey was very impressed, he's up to 123 now and we need to get up to mid/late 130's to get into his target in mid March (fingers crossed!!!), will prob run at the end of Jan again.

Mr D....Saturday or Catterick on 24th, he’s well. Doesn’t look like we’ll get to the March target now as he’ll need 2 more wins to get into the race, around140 needed and he’s only up to 123 now. Hopefully we’ll have a big race in April instead.

I've tracked him better this time HK, looks a good opportunity for another win. Would have posted earlier but this forum doesn't play ball with Android devices, only Microsoft Edge works... rubbish! I was tempted to back him at 33-1 for the Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase but B365 are not going NRNB.

Big Classic Mile race Sunday, any EW value HK?

All the best tomorrow.

If you could get NRNB then that would be best,  it's a pain in the backside as his first run was going to be a lot earlier but he missed 3 weeks as he cut himself schooling so we're up against it now to get him up in time.

His first choice was going to be Haydock but the ground is going to be shocking there, I'd also wait and see how the ground is at Taunton as he wouldn't want it gluey - he ran badly on that before. It's a positive that the jockey is making a long journey to ride him, we want to keep continuity, but all things in place he should win but they aren't machines so it is fingers crossed.

I'll be back about the Classic Mile once I've had a proper look, can't see the fav losing  though.

MrD - Singapore Sling is my ew choice, he has only had 2 runs and has raced against some of these first up where he was 2.5l behind the 3rd fav giving him 7lb (he was having his 2nd run in HK). that was also over 1400m and he finished well to get near at the finish so the extra 200m will suit and at 20-1 he has to be a value bet. Exultant is a derby horse so I'll be doing the fav with Singapore Sling quinella.

The weather is pretty grim over here HK, I will wait and see how the early races go before having a bet. If he jumps like he did at Newcastle he should win but as you say the ground conditions are a worry.

I was really impressed with Exultant and agree HK, he looks a Derby horse the way he won last time over 10f. I'm not sure about Nothingilikemore and 8f, the form of his last race (2nd) hasn't worked out that well either... but the Magic Man sticks with him, I suppose he knows best. I like your angle with Singapore Sling and at 20-1 that is my kind of price, a negative is Millard's form. Tricky race this one!

I think Nothingilikemore should be coming in with 6 straight wins as it wasn't JM's best moment on Intl day!! There won't be much pace on so I think as long as he doesn't screw up the start like last time he'll get to dictate the pace, I think both Exultant and Singapore Sling need a good pace so it could well be a muddling race and might not be run to suit. Southern Legend's next run wasn't too bad he was 3l behind fifty fifty giving him 2lb, Southern Legend got 7lb from Nothingilikemore and won a fast diminishing SH.

It's going to be one of those days when you take the early results into account as to how the track is running - I will do a tierce on 1-2-5 combo.

I heard the weather is sh1te, but I think it's only heavy in places at Taunton, I will have a bet once we know how tacky it is......fingers crossed anyway, the only worry is every paper is tipping him!!

Yep HK, I had a look at the speed map and there is no pace at all and agree that Singapore Sling and Exultant are going to be compromised by a slow pace. Lockheed was the first horse I looked at because of his sire (Exceed and Excel) and his form over here but he hasn't fired yet in Hong Kong... he might get an easy lead but not sure he's good enough. Too many questions for me!!!

KR won well last time so it was the easy option for all these tipsters... the weather is my biggest worry, hope the rain doesn't scupper his chances for you.

He's only had 1 race over fences so he's inexperienced but if he's anywhere near as good as we think then he has to win today getting weight off the top one, he should get better though. I also think he may need a little bit further but 2m in soft isn't going to test his speed that much, it's a step up in class but hopefully he's up to it. He doesn't really owe us anything but it's good to have a dream.

Rivet could be another one that may run well in the mile as he seems to be coming to hand and settling in to HK.

I'm always dreaming HK!

As am I MrD!!

I think we could get done by the weather, my old man is there and he said it's awful constant rain soI expect it will be pretty heavy going

His race is the last one on the card as well... bloody nightmare!

No drama.....

Another great win HK, cruised around and his jumping was spot on... never in doubt.

Not bad at all MrD.....very pleased!!

The dream is still alive... exciting times HK!

Well done
365 are NRNB for Cheltenham , 25/1 now if interested

Thanks for that bobbyjo... backed him now at 25-1, they need to update the oddschecker table because it doesn't state NRNB. My fault, I should have looked on the B365 website!

1st and 2nd... great stuff HK.

Thought we were going to get the winner there Mr D...but still had the quin. Nothingilikemore was just too good....

Singapore Sling had a great tow into the race but Nothingilikemore just had a bit more speed over the trip. Exultant ran an eye catching race... I think Singapore Sling will be better over 9f and 10f as well.

Any opinions on Rivet , Mr Dinos , HKAccie ?

I have kept any eye on him since he joined the John Moore stable - always thought it was going to be tough as their milers out there are becoming the world's best ...but didn't think he would struggle to place in all four of his races out there .

Im just wondering what would be the next potential target for Rivet ...I'm starting to think that he could be difficult to place.

Never been a fan of Rivet Roz, he's a one paced grinder IMO and that's not what you want in Hong Kong. You might see better run from him in the HK Derby but I just don't think he's got good enough tactical speed... not for me!

Part 2 this weekend, not too sure anything can beat Nothingilikemore over 1800m.

Pakistan Star has also been passed to run again after his issues last season, he's run 3 trials and should be out at the end of the month.

Mr D - 3rd run next week, maybe Tuesday.

I'm going to stick with the Sling HK, hopefully his price will drift out a bit more! I liked how he ran on at the end of the Mile and Millard has had some winners the last couple of weeks.

Great stuff HK, looks like it could be a tougher race but surely there is more to come from Riko. The way he travels and jumps he should have a great chance of landing the hat-trick!!!

Lovely ride Chad, perfect position and finished the race great.

Very nice, he's ridden a 4 timer today. I left the race alone in the end, bad jump from the fav cost him. Be interesting to see whether they all go to the derby.

Not sure Tuesday will be a run, if not he'll run on Saturday which is a shame as I think he'd win that race at Wetherby, but the ground may not be suitable.

One of those days for Chad, confidence is a wonderful thing! It just goes to show how important the start of the race is, Nothingilikemore was always on the back foot after is sloppy start and never landed a blow after that. I don't think he wants the Derby trip HK... it will be between the first two for me and it will be hard to spilt them on the day!!

The ground over here looked pretty desperate after watching the racing yesterday, a wise move HK. The forecast reckons it's going to be a dry week so hopefully by Saturday the ground will be a bit better!

Friday or Saturday weather permitting Mr D, Friday looks the softer option. Saturday he’s the AP fav in the early books but can’t understand why.

Thanks for the update HK. Yep, Saturday looks a tough one but he's on the up and the way he won his last two it's worth a crack. Just hope this wretched weather doesn't scupper the racing at Newbury or Donny!!

Thought Pakistan Star at 8/1 was a safe each way bet...finished 4th :o

Still think this horse is crying out for a proper trip. Quite fancied seeing him flying down the Flemington straight imo

Size has another potential superstar. Watch R2 from HV on weds 7th, breaks the course record.

Kelso Sunday Mr D - looks a good opportunity

The end of April will be interesting ELG with the 3 G1 on the same card. Unfortunately no HK horses can go to Oz at the moment under the current barrier to entry quarantine rules!

Heavy ground at Kelso HK and plenty of rain around over the weekend... the only negative but he has won well on Soft ground over the fences. Bloody weather!!

Yep HK, that was a very impressive and powerful performance... another top class sprinter for Size and the Magic Man.

If Kelso looks off he’s in at Hereford which is a bit more competitive as you’d expect for a bigger prize. I’d say we’re hopeful of a good run in that race rafter than confident in the Kelso race. But, if he’s to get to where we want/think he can get and if our judgement is right then he should win off 130, we have an enforced jockey change too but he has schooled him. This will be his first proper test over fences.

Hereford it is then HK... some exposed horses in this race. I think he's got a good chance of landing the hat-trick. Shame Hughes isn't riding but he's a pretty straight forward ride from what I've seen! All the best.

Cheers Mr D....hopeful...that’s all we can be! Biggest test so far, hope he’s up to it!

Superb HK, the hat-trick landed... tough at the finish and jumped well again.

Very unlucky HK. I think it would have kept it 9 times out of 10

Very disappointed, obviously biased but the best horse won imo. The 2nd wasn’t getting past, KR rallied when he got to him. If both horses had kept straight I think the result would have been the same. Not only lost 12k in prize money but it’s not double result on BF!!

At least we know he’s a very nice horse, it’s only his 3rd race over fences and I think he’ll be better with “good� somewhere in the going description. We gave 6lb to the second and the 3rd was 24l away.

Absolute joke and completely shocked by that decision! Obviously having watched the race I thought he won fair and square and switched over, couldn't believe what I was reading this morning!

Gutted for you HK but he ran another cracker on terrible ground... jockey did nothing wrong either. I think we've all seen a lot worse than that over the years when horses have kept the race!

I've no idea about the procedure but the more I look at the race the more I think you should consider appealing
given the prize money involved.

We are appealing, I’m not even sure there was an objection?

Meanwhile, he’s entered for Saturday at Kempton, not certain to run but at the moment he’d escape a penalty (I think).

Aintree 12th Thursday Mr D - the form of the Hereford race is working out very well too.

Brilliant HK, Riko will have a great chance if he travels and jumps like he has been IMO. Good to see the form working out. I think Aintree will suit him, especially if there is some Good in the going description!

Riko 14-1 best price for next weeks race HK. Up against some tougher horses but Novices have got a good record in the Red Rum Handicap Chase... looking forward to see him run again.

Mr D - will run Saturday in the novice chase, it'll be good to see how he goes.

A bit surprised with that HK, he ticked all the boxes for the handicap tomorrow IMO!

It will be an interesting watch Saturday... worth a crack the way he jumps and he might surprise.

Wanted to avoid a similar race to grand annual, it’s very soft and he’s still learning. The novice races are cutting up so he’s only a novice once and some of the Cheltenham horses may have had a hard race. I think Saturday’s race will have a maximum of 8 runners with more likely 5 or 6. It’ll be interesting to see where we stand.

Did you have any luck with the Hereford appeal ?

No luck, rejected

I’m obviously quite biased and to be fair it’s not his best distance or ideal ground but with 6 runners he’s a fair chance of the fav doesn’t perforn

All the best tomorrow HK... up against it but I'm sure Riko will do you proud.

Cheers Mr D!

I’m disappointed I can’t be there! It’s his last run for the season, he’s still learning and what he’s done so far is fantastic. He’s young and still learning and not even raced over his best trip or distance yet! I think there will be some decent races to be won over the next few seasons. Still think 20-1 is a bit of an insult!

Or going....not distance!!

Unusual run for him, missed the start and ballooned the first, after that he was always playing catch up. At least he jumped around and wasn’t completely disgraced. He didn’t owe us anything really and will be back next season where hop he gets his going and distance! I think off 137 he’s going to do well in some good handicaps.

A few tweets suggest Loves Only You is missing Hong Kong and going for Arima Linen instead. B365 took her out of the betting.