 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 Grand Lisboa Palace Cup
In his last out – an 1,800m handicap for runners rated 85-55, THE MOON'S BACK got hooked up in a fierce speed battle up front early, and had nothing left for the stretch run, conceding 1 ¼ lengths to the winner. With the talented Ruan Maia in the saddle, and a break in weights, he is definitely one of the main contenders.
Pitted in a tough spot – and a cut-back trip last time out – going 1,500m against runners rated 85-60, CONTENTED N HAPPY, stretching back out to a much more favourable 1,800m trip, and well-handicapped against lesser competition this Sunday, further gets both the service of Oscar Chavez and a neat barrier 2 to get the job done.
Winning at wraps to kick off this season, READY FIRE, tough losing quite a lot of ground on the far turn two races back, still closed quite impressively through the stretch, and is currently in splendid form. Then got stopped out-right at the top of the lane against runners rated 85-55 last time out, a line can simply put through that 1,800m handicap.
Showing plenty of stamina through his overseas resume, NANHAI ONE, held back early while breaking from a pitiful barrier 13, was closing like a freight train in his last outing over 1,500m. Drawn beautifully with a barrier 4 this time – and Joao Moreira getting the call – he should improve quite considerably.
While rallying in tandem with CHROMIUM ALLOY from off the pace, GRAND DOUBLE WIN, losing more ground on the far turn that cost him a length to settle for second, still ran credibly well last time out. Louis Corrales certainly has a game plan tailored for this 7YO gelding on Sunday, and stands more than a good chance.
SELECTIONS: 3. THE MOON'S BACK, 2. CONTENTED N HAPPY, 7. READY FIRE, 12. NANHAI ONE & 1. GRAND DOUBLE WIN
S1-2 MJC 30th Anniversary Cup
In his lone defeat against LUEN ON DANCE KID earlier this season, BRILLIANT DEBBIE, getting floated three-wide on the far turn, did have an excuse; with LUEN ON DANCE KID sporting 12lbs extra on weight this Sunday, BRILLIANT DEBBIE, breaking under Silvestre De Sousa from barrier 6, should at least be place-worthy while trying to avenge.
Zipping to the lead way over from barrier 12, and never relinquished it last time out, SACRED CAPITAL a blistering 4YO gelding that is still moving forward by leaps and bounds, though penalized quite heavily in this contest, still rates to be one of the main contenders.
With 1,800m being his main forte, ROSE GOLD ALLOY, likewise cutting back to 1,500m last time out, still managed to rally impressively from a tough spot in that race, and does have class. Manoel Nunes gets the call this Sunday, and a solid pace up front would certainly play to his advantage.
Except a lackluster performance first out on sand, the lightly-raced GOLDEN FANS, having packed a mere trio of starts so far at Taipa, is a perfect two-for-two at 1,500m on turf. Invariably stepping up against tougher opposition, he still aces this trip nonetheless.
Back to the top-rated LUEN ON DANCE KID – with a 6-1-3 record through 11 starts at Taipa, specifically 2-0-1 over 1,500m on turf – he is after all a seasoned 4YO that shows enormous consistency. Nailing this trip two starts back, he was never a factor against SACRED CAPITAL last time out; that being said, his great form still bodes him in the mix up front.
SELECTIONS: 8. BRILLIANT DEBBIE, 4. SACRED CAPITAL, 2. ROSE GOLD ALLOY, 7. GOLDEN FANS & 1. LUEN ON DANCE KID
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2: Banker – 8. BRILLIANT DEBBIE
Selections – 4. SACRED CAPITAL, 2. ROSE GOLD ALLOY, 7. GOLDEN FANS & 1. LUEN ON DANCE KID
S1-3: Banker – 5. BRING ME GLORY
Selections – 2. MAGNAPEGASUS, 4. LUCKY TODAY, 9. NORTHERN LEGEND & 3. CASINO MOK
S1-3 Grand Lisboa Cup
Notched his first Taipa winner over 1,500m turf at early January, the improving 4YO BRING ME GLORY, scored again over the same distance last time out. Showing plenty of stamina through his overseas resume while ran a fourth over 2,000m, just a length behind the winner. Step up in trip with moderated weight, he will use his tactical speed to dispute the early lead, and can get the job done.
Private purchase MAGNAPEGASUS, raced only thrice since campaigning at Taipa, promptly showed his prowess while stretching out to 1,500m in his last start, and his overseas form does call for stamina. This improving 4YO will be piloted by the experienced W L Ho, and rates to prevail in his contest.
Still a winner at seven years of age, LUCKY TODAY, a battle-hardened veteran that lost quite a lot of ground on the far turn in his last outing, still managed to close strongly. Back to his winning distance this Sunday, he is still more than competitive, and stands a fighting chance.
NORTHERN LEGEND, taking the overland route last out at 1,500m, likewise acquitted himself quite neatly with some late speed in deep stretch. Switching from an apprentice to journeyman Oscar Chavez is certainly a big plus, and with a nicely carved-out trip, he will be in the mix.
Meanwhile, the consistent CASINO MOK, though in tough against competition rated 85-55 at 1,800m last time out, still managed to flaunt his dazzling speed up front early – and almost held on to score until a few strides from the finish. With a higher impost while facing lesser competition rated 70-40, this gelding has Manoel Nunes aboard for some help nonetheless.
SELECTIONS: 5. BRING ME GLORY, 2. MAGNAPEGASUS, 4. LUCKY TODAY, 9. NORTHERN LEGEND & 3. CASINO MOK
S1-4 Macau Hong Kong Trophy
Defending champion ROMANTIC TOUCH – representing Hong Kong – delivered out-right at 1,400m early this season, and has been keeping up in form, hitting the board just recently in G3 contest. Breaking from a nice barrier 4 this Sunday, he vouches every legitimate chance for an unprecedented three-peat in this prestigious prize.
Meanwhile, yet another invader in the form of LITTERATEUR – a mile specialist at Happy Valley – should show the same prowess while attempting 1,500m for his Taipa debut. Finishing first or second through his last two starts, this 7YO gelding, right at the top of his game, has furthermore a barrier 2 at his tactical disposal.
Yet to return to his winning ways this season, 2018 MAC G1 Macau Derby hero PEARL GREEN still shows plenty of class on turf. Losing a lot of ground on the far turn, and thus got beat by the immensely talented SACRED CAPITAL last time out, this pair altogether has nonetheless disposed the rest of that MAC G2 field by a long way. This 5YO gelding is definitely at the prime of his racing career, and poises to defend the home turf for Macau.
OBRIGADO MAIS, who ran a snappy clunker in last year’s running of this prize, regained his form afterwards with a slew of scores and placings. Winning two starts back at 1,200m, this gelding has excuse of circling horses on the three path in a MAC G2 1,500m contest last time out, and is still fiercely competitive.
KRYSTRUMP, who also ran second in the 2017 MAC G1 Macau Derby, dropped more than 4 lengths behind ROMANTIC TOUCH in last year’s running of this prize, and could only settle for second likewise. Being a 1,500m specialist himself that has scored at the distance yet again through this campaign, he slightly disappointed last time out, and it remains interesting to see if this competitive 6YO can step right back up in time – and get in the mix.
SELECTIONS: 3. ROMANTIC TOUCH, 6. LITTERATEUR, 8. PEARL GREEN, 4. OBRIGADO MAIS & 7. KRYSTRUMP
S1-5 Chairman's Challenge Cup
MISTER KAOPU, who was compromised on sticky goings in last year’s running of this prize, never had a chance from barrier 11, was forced to go three-wide into the far turn, and invariably spent down the stretch. Returning promptly to his winning ways next out on firm ground, he has further galvanized such good form with a new pair of scores this season. With such being a level-weight contest, this top-rated gelding will be hard to catch – especially if a fast track is on deck yet again.
Having racked up a quartet of 1,200m scores already at this season, THEHORSEISWITHME was never able to snatch the rail and the lead while getting parked two-wide by CHINA PARADISE last time out. Drawn beautifully to break from barrier 2 this Sunday, it will surely be a different story where he can handily drop to the rail and flash some dizzy speed up front.
2018 Lisboa Juvenile victor BRING ME SPEED, who trumped that Listed prize at 1:10.10, 0.2 seconds faster than the Chairman’s Challenge Cup, a MAC G1 contest for older horses over the same distance that day, certainly displayed some real talent. This upstart is nonetheless multi-dimensional, who also managed to close from off the speed and prevail at 1,200m last time out, and is clearly in top form. Should cheap speed fold late again this Sunday, he is more than capable to reel in his competition.
Drawn much better at barrier 4 this Sunday, GOLDEN THUMB, sticking to the 1,200m distance, has regular partner W L Ho to call the shots, and rates to get in the frame.
Meanwhile, WINTER SNOW, who brought plenty of heat on the rail last time out, has no such omen on Sunday breaking from barrier 8, and his performance hinges simply on a ground-saving trip – preferably inside the three-path.
SELECTIONS: 1. MISTER KAOPU, 10. THEHORSEISWITHME, 3. BRING ME SPEED, 5. GOLDEN THUMB & 6. WINTER SNOW
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5: Banker – 1. MISTER KAOPU
Selections – 10. THEHORSEISWITHME, 3. BRING ME SPEED, 5. GOLDEN THUMB & 6. WINTER SNOW
S1-6: Banker – 7. OJALA
Selections – 2. VICTORY MEGASTAR, 4. DUKE DA VEGA, 3. GEM EAGLE & 8. FALCOSHOW
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 1. MISTER KAOPU, 10. THEHORSEISWITHME & 3. BRING ME SPEED
S1-6: Multiple – 7. OJALA, 2. VICTORY MEGASTAR & 4. DUKE DA VEGA
S1-7: Multiple – 1. THE WHIRLWIND, 4. ORIENTAL PROFIT & 2. KELOWNA STAR
S1-6 Sand Classic Cup
OJALA, who registered his second victory since campaigning at Taipa last time out – a handicap for entries rated 85-60 over the same distance – stopped the clock at a much more flashy 1:21.60, and has clearly moved forward. Though facing tougher opposition, this 4YO has scored twice at the same distance, does enjoy quite a hefty weight break, and can get the job done off some freshening.
Returning to his winning ways at this ace trip of his early in the season, VICTORY MEGASTAR, who dusted some key opposition, is still as competitive as always. Just missing the tote-board in his recent pair of attempts while cutting back to 1,050m, this 7YO veteran is still in good form, and is ready to contend.
With a 4-1-0 record through 5 starts on sand this season, DUKE DA VEGA, of his liking between 1,350m to 1,510m, is a tough customer that, eyeball-to-eyeball, does not easily lose one when he lock horns with his competition. Right at the top of his game, this poises to be another main chance.
GEM EAGLE, yet to finish worse than fourth through 5 starts this campaign, including a lone score, has been quite consistent, and was a winner over the same distance early on. This individual has good tactical speed to land a sweet spot up front, and should move up further if the track does favor speed.
Meanwhile, FALCOSHOW, though yet to grace the winner’s circle this season, has hit the board thrice nonetheless. This light-boned gelding, weighing at a mere 1,000lbs, was clearly compromised with a hefty 132lbs on his back last time out; hauling only a 116lbs impost, coupled with a nice barrier 4 this Sunday, he will certainly be a much more fleeting turnaround.
SELECTIONS: 7. OJALA, 2. VICTORY MEGASTAR, 4. DUKE DA VEGA, 3. GEM EAGLE & 8. FALCOSHOW
S1-7 Sand Mile
Having annihilated a star-studded field that includes ORIENTAL PROFIT, RIVER TREASURE, DENZIL’S CHOICE and ADVANCE MISSION further back, THE WHIRLWIND, nearly a three-length winner over KELOWNA STAR in the MAC G2 Autumn Trophy, clearly has genuine class. Beaten only a nose by ORIENTAL PROFIT last time out at 1,510m, this top-weight has both form and prowess right at 1,600m to dispose, and is freshened up – undoubtedly the horse to beat.
As for ORIENTAL PROFIT, mentioned in that three-length defeat by THE WHIRLWIND in the MAC G2 Autumn Trophy, promptly avenged with a weight break two starts back, and such is again the repertoire this Sunday. Regular rider Oscar Chavez gets the call, and will attempt for another Taipa score yet again.
KELOWNA STAR, a surprising closer that could match the classy ROSE GOLD ALLOY in a MAC G2 1500m prize last time out, is also in great form. Returning to the more favourable sand strip – and getting the service of Silvestre De Sousa – he is indeed a solid contender that cannot be overlooked.
Having ran incredibly well against ORIENTAL PROFIT and THE WHIRLWIND two starts back over 1,510m – guided by an apprentice aboard in that outing – MUJAAN, with W L Ho aboard this Sunday, will use his tactical speed to dispute the early lead, and hopefully hold on for good.
Meanwhile, RIVER TREASURE, a consistent individual that has ran well through all 5 starts on sand this season, out-hauled ORIENTAL PROFIT for a crack 1,510m score early on, and does have class to get in the mix.
SELECTIONS: 1. THE WHIRLWIND, 4. ORIENTAL PROFIT, 2. KELOWNA STAR, 7. MUJAAN & 9. RIVER TREASURE
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