 Expert - Edmond Cheung |
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| Edmond Cheung is a reputed race caller. He has extensive knowledge on Asian horse racing, currently one of the presenters on Cable TV racing programmes, and a contributor for Sing Tao Daily. He is best known as the winner of the first "King of Race Caller" contest organized by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and is known for his pace analysis and selecting longshots for racegoers. In 2009 the Macau Jockey Club invited Edmond as the commentator for Macau Hong Kong Trophy and the Macau Derby Trial. | |
Expert Column for Macau Hong Kong Trophy Day (S1) (Edmond Cheung)
S1-1 Sand Specialist Stakes
Despite his blunder last out, SACRED MISSILE should return to his old self after a brief lay-off. This individual clearly has his stamina validated two starts back, and should improve over this 1,510m trip.
Having chased a track record for second at the same distance last season, the 7YO ADVANCE MISSION is still as competitive at this stage of his game. Yet to hit the board this season, he still ran respectably well twice on sand, and rates to contend here – even with top-weighted.
Defending champion MORE THAN HAPPY has placed only once through five starts this season; that being said, he could still manage to place two starts back – even stumbling badly at the top of the stretch, and is resurging in form. With the familiar Martin Wepner aboard, this gelding should be right there.
2016 Macau Hong Kong Trophy hero BEST OF LUCK has seen the best of his racing days; nonetheless, he was quite a free-wheeling sight up front at 1,500m on turf last out, and looks forward to place by capitalizing on a similar track bias on sand this time.
GRAND DOUBLE WIN, in good form off a crack second-place effort at 1,800m on turf last out, should crank it up another notch with a return to the sand strip – and regular pilot W L Ho aboard – this Sunday.
SELECTIONS: 5. SACRED MISSILE, 1. ADVANCE MISSION, 3. MORE THAN HAPPY, 2. BEST OF LUCK & 4. GRAND DOUBLE WIN
S1-2 Sand Classic Cup
A non-factor in this same contest last year, GEM EAGLE has nevertheless returned to decent form, including a second-place effort while assigned top weight at this same 1,350m trip two starts back, then was just half a length from reeling in THE WHIRLWIND while cutting back at 1,050m last out. With only 125lbs on his back, and a much familiar 1,350m trip this Sunday, he has high hopes to bag this one home.
THE WHIRLWIND has been thoroughly consistent on sand this season, and is in good form off a nice cut-back victory at 1,050m last out. He has been rested well, and with regular rider Ruan Maia in the reins, this 1,350m trip is right in his ballpark.
2017 Sand Classic Cup winner VICTORY MEGASTAR has hit the board in a pair of sprints this season. Manoel Nunes has a good handle on him and stretching back out to 1,350m, he rates contentiously likewise.
ASHKARI rallied strongly at this same distance two starts back, and remains competitive at seven years of age. Somehow compromised by a 133lbs impost last out, he will again be a late-closing threat with much less weight in tow.
While facing the likes VICTORY MEGASTAR and GEM EAGLE, EVERGREEN STAR still ran a nice pair of seconds over this same trip last season. Should he get his choice spot up front early, this comparatively fresh entry – that has faced the starter only twice in this season – will be a difficult one to catch.
SELECTIONS: 3. GEM EAGLE, 1. THE WHIRLWIND, 2. VICTORY MEGASTAR, 6. ASHKARI & 4. EVERGREEN STAR
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2:
Banker – 3. GEM EAGLE
Selections – 1. THE WHIRLWIND, 2. VICTORY MEGASTAR, 6. ASHKARI & 4. EVERGREEN STAR
S1-3:
Banker – 1. LUEN ON EAGLE
Selections – 5. BRING ME SPEED, 9. PORCINI, 2. BOBO SO GOOD & 12. PEARL LUCKY
S1-3 Lisboa Juvenile
Undefeated through three starts, LUEN ON EAGLE, though beating only Class 3 & 4 opposition last out, actually ran faster than Class 1 & 2 contests on that day, and packs plenty of class. This hugely progressive 3YO has the presence, is drawn beautifully with barrier 4 while carrying only 125lbs this Sunday, and should figure to prevail.
Pitted against LUEN ON EAGLE last out, BRING ME SPEED, further compromised with a high impost, a devilish barrier 13, and a horrible trip that got him parked three, four wide into the far turn, still managed to rally for third-place. Drawn wide yet again to break from barrier 14, he has to pray for another perfect trip, and a good slot to close at the right time.
PORCINI ran quite a good fourth at 1,500m early this season, and was clearly tightening another screw off a free-wheeling 1,350m audition on sand last out. He has to break alertly, drop towards the rail in a flash, and hopefully get into contention with some good acceleration late.
Making his debut in Macau, Private Purchase BOBO SO GOOD looked impressive in two trials and creeping up in form. A more aggressive trip breaking from barrier 3 with Manoel Nunes aboard this Sunday will set him up perfectly.
The comparatively fresh PEARL LUCKY has packed only a pair of starts in him this season, but is creeping up in form, especially a visually inviting effort from off the pace last out. Breaking from the rail this Sunday, a blinker would further move him up a few slots.
SELECTIONS: 1. LUEN ON EAGLE, 5. BRING ME SPEED, 9. PORCINI, 2. BOBO SO GOOD & 12. PEARL LUCKY
S1-4 Macau Hong Kong Trophy
Of the invading duo from Hong Kong, ROMANTIC TOUCH is just modest at best this season, and a lower rating upon this return to Taipa is no surprise at all. That being said, he was closing strongly in a 1,400m contest at Sha Tin last out, and with 6lbs less on his back compare with last year, this champion looks to have his form returning just in time to defend his title.
From the home team, two-time MAC G2 hero OBRIGADO MAS was able to out-stay Macau Derby runners-up and next-out winner KRYSTRUMP in the 1,500m last out, and is well rested for over a month; this fresh individual is poised to score.
Macau top-rated THE ALFONSO ran second in this prestigious prize last year, but had his much-anticipated return to the races delayed all the way till 26th January. Still, that 1,050m effort on the sand strip would set him up just perfectly for this Sunday.
Meanwhile, with a 3-4-0 record through all 7 starts this season, 1,500m is clearly the ace trip for KRYSTRUMP. This amazingly consistent upstart races best closing from far back, and with some fast horses up front early, the pace would just suit him.
Though campaigned strenuously last season, such a hard-knocking 7YO war horse as LUCKY WINSTON has yet to even miss a beat through his recent starts. A quick early pace – and hopefully some more rain to soften the turf – will set him up perfectly.
SELECTIONS: 2. ROMANTIC TOUCH, 5. OBRIGADO MAIS, 1. THE ALFONSO, 8. KRYSTRUMP & 9. LUCKY WINSTON
S1-5 Macau Derby Trial
Debuting since last season, PEARL GREEN, gracing the winner’s circle thrice already at Taipa, made another bold statement with a dazzling Class 2 score at the same distance to kick off his 2017/18 campaign. He ran a respectable third last out at 1,800m while tolerating some mid-race interference, and should the going be good this Sunday, this improving 4YO is invariably the one to beat.
WINTER SNOW ran a blinder early this season, and was just half a length behind KRYSTRUMP, forcing that Macau Derby runner-up in that Class 2, 1,500m contest. His second-place effort at 1,200m last out was way better than it looked, and rates to be part of the main contention in stretching back out to 1,500m.
Private Purchase ROYAL GARDEN is gradually coming of age, particularly a threatening second behind WINTER SNOW last time out; in fact, his overseas form suggests even a stronger penchant for this trip, and Umberto Rispoli is certainly a crack expert to reel this gelding in.
With 132lbs on his back, CONTENTED N HAPPY still managed to score a fast victory over the same distance to close out last season. Cruising home yet again for another easy score last out against Class 2 & 3 opposition, he will further capitalize on other speedballs that would flash some swift panels and force the early pace for him this Sunday.
Scoring right on debut at Taipa over 1,500m when the track was only listed as good, UNSELFISH TRUST definitely has some class. Throwing out his off-the-board performance two starts back on sticky ground, he promptly returned to his winning ways last time out on sand, and stamina would be his only concern this Sunday.
SELECTIONS: 2. PEARL GREEN, 6. WINTER SNOW, 12. ROYAL GARDEN, 4. CONTENTED N HAPPY & 1.UNSELFISH TRUST
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5:
Banker – 2. PEARL GREEN
Selections – 6. WINTER SNOW, 12. ROYAL GARDEN, 4. CONTENTED N HAPPY & 1. UNSELFISH TRUST
S1-6:
Banker – 2. MISTER KAOPU
Selections – 4. YANG JIANG HERO, 9. FELIZMASTER, 1. RIVER BOBO & 5. HUKA EAGLE
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 2. PEARL GREEN, 6. WINTER SNOW & 12. ROYAL GARDEN
S1-6: Multiple – 2. MISTER KAOPU, 4. YANG JIANG HERO & 9.FELIZMASTER
S1-7: Multiple – 12. BENSON, 5. CHROMIUM ALLOY & 1. ECLAIR JOURNEY
S1-6 Chairman's Challenge Cup
MISTER KAOPU, a four-time winner at 1,200m last season, is clearly a trip specialist. Though yet to score again in this campaign, the 1,500m distance was invariably beyond his reach through his recent pair of outings. Returning to his ace trip this Sunday, he has high cruising speed to overcome the bad post, and still figures as the main contention.
Scoring emphatically while at wraps two starts back against Class 1 & 2 elites over the same distance, YANG JIANG HERO is definitely peaking in form. Flaunting too much speed up front and faded badly last out, he has all the rest he needs returning from a two-month layoff, and should be back to his old winning self.
Blowing the doors wide open on Class 1 & 2 opposition from off the pace to score an open-length victory last time out, FELIZMASTER is some freak in the make. That being on soft ground, this individual has legit winning form-lines on good turf as well, and his top form should overcome a high impost.
Having his best effort at this distance, compromised with a high impost and just beaten a neck by MISTER KAOPU last season, RIVER BOBO looks a great chance here at equal weights. Although this 6YO is just modest at best in recent, a good drawn would still set him up just perfectly for this Sunday.
Meanwhile, defending champion HUKA EAGLE has obviously been struggling to regain his form. Nonetheless, he has still placed twice this season, and figures to hit the board yet again on level weights.
SELECTIONS: 2. MISTER KAOPU, 4. YANG JIANG HERO, 9. FELIZMASTER, 1. RIVER BOBO & 5. HUKA EAGLE
S1-7 70-40 Handicap
Wiring the field at the same distance two starts back, BENSON simply turned on the after-burners down the lane to annihilate his opposition in that spectacular winning performance, while he could still rally strongly despite a bad start last out. W L Ho, back in the reins Sunday, looks forward to break sharp on this gelding.
CHROMIUM ALLOY, who hit the board thrice at 1,800m, has the stamina to handle the distance. Slugging well against KRYSTRUMP in a Class 2, 1,500m contest earlier this season, he still has valid form, and will be contentious with a more aggressive trip breaking from barrier 3.
ECLAIR JOURNEY has placed time and again at 1,500m on turf last season. Capitalizing on an astute sand-to-turf angle off all 6 previous starts on the sand strip this season, Manoel Nunes aboard will attempt a late-closing audible.
Meanwhile, the consistent ROARING STAR should move up a few spots on soft goings, and it remains interesting to see of the rain does reach Taipa for him timely.
THE MOON'S BACK, who out-ran ECLAIR JOURNEY for third in the 2017 Macau Derby, finally graced the winner’s circle at Taipa for the first time with Ruan Maia in the saddle two starts back, and this is definitely a budding partnership that deserves full respect.
SELECTIONS: 12. BENSON, 5. CHROMIUM ALLOY, 1. ECLAIR JOURNEY, 2. ROARING STAR & 3. THE MOON'S BACK
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