France Express Form & Race Previews (Bordeaux Le Bouscat / Clairefontaine)...
United Kingdom Express Form & Race Previews (Yarmouth / Newcastle) –...
United Kingdom Express Form & Race Previews (Pontefract/Wolverhampton) – Monday, October...
RACE 1: HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY WILLIAM ‘BILL’ CARR MAIDEN STAKES (GBB RACE) (4) (FROM PONTEFRACT RACE 1) – 1207M | TIME: 20:53 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 10000
GREEN STAR (IRE) Half-reared start, led until 200m out, faded to 4th, 5 lengths behind winner at 1400m Novice Stakes in October. WAR GAMING (IRE) Held position, tracked leaders, ridden last 200m, challenged final stretch, finished 3rd, 0.5 lengths behind Tumishi at Ffos Las 1200m in August. PAPHOS (IRE) Led, pushed 400m out, headed 200m out, finished 3rd, 1.75 lengths behind Woodvale at Leicester 1000m 2YO Novice Stakes in October. LONGSHANKS LUKE Began left, stayed near rear, advanced at 600m, ridden after 400m, maintained pace last 200m, finished 4th, 4.5 lengths behind winner at 1200m Novice Stakes in August.
RACE 2: WILLIAM HILL PRICE BOOSTS EVERY DAY NURSERY (5) (FROM PONTEFRACT RACE 2) – 1615M | TIME: 21:23 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 8000
APHRA BEHN Tracked 4th, challenged leader over 600m out, led narrowly over 400m, headed, rallied to win by 0.75 lengths at Ripon 1600m Handicap in September. BELLA LUCIA Tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, no impression past 200m but rallied closing, finished 2nd, 1.5 lengths behind Court Legend over 1400m in August. KING OF PERSIA Tracked leader, led 200m out, won comfortably by 1. 25 lengths at Leicester 1600m 2YO Handicap in October. STATTEN ISLAND (IRE) Led, challenged from 600m out, headed 400m out, stayed on same pace, finished 4th, 4 lengths behind Aphra Behn over 1600m at Ripon in September.
RACE 3: BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF SILVER TANKARD STAKES (LISTED) (LR) (FROM PONTEFRACT RACE 3) – 1615M | TIME: 21:53 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 55000
UNDISCOVERED (IRE) Midfield, blocked 400m out, lacked clear run 200m out, stayed on to finish 5th, 2.25 lengths behind Fuel The Jet at Newmarket 1400m in September. KING HIGH Midfield, pushed 400m out, gained headway final 200m, finished neck behind Bin Jahwar , 2nd at Newbury 1600m 2YO Novice Stakes in September. TYRRHENIAN THUNDER Prominent, challenged near 200m, stayed strong last 100m, led final stride, won Ayr 1400m 2YO Novice Stakes by head in September. GAME CHARACTER Led early, tracked outside, led 400m out, drifted left but held on to win Haydock 1600m Maiden Stakes by 0.75 lengths in September.
RACE 4: BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF FILLIES’ HANDICAP (3) (FROM PONTEFRACT RACE 4) – 1207M | TIME: 22:23 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 30000
DANDY MAGIC (IRE) Held up at rear, moved up from 400m out, finished 3rd, 1.25 lengths behind Ice Sovereigns over 1400m Handicap at Musselburgh in October. HOMESTRAIT (IRE) Midfield, advanced 400m out, chased leaders over 200m, weakened last 200m, finished 4th , 4 lengths behind Ice Sovereigns at 1400m in October. STORMY IMPACT Midfield, advanced near center 200m out, finished 4th, 4.5 lengths behind Brighton Boy at Pontefract 1200m Handicap in October. SING THE BLUES (IRE) Wore hood, midfield, made headway 400m out, challenged 200m out, stayed same pace final 200m, finished 5th, 3 lengths behind Ruby’s Angel at Newmarket 1200m Novice Stakes in October.
RACE 5: PHIL BULL TROPHY HANDICAP (GBBPLUS RACE) (3) (FROM PONTEFRACT RACE 5) – 3623M | TIME: 22:53 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 22000
MAXIDENT Prominent led after 200m, increased lead 800m out, shaken up 400m out, won comfortably by 2.75 lengths at Goodwood 3200m Handicap in August. WISE EAGLE (IRE) Moved from rear, took 2nd at 200m out, weakened to finish 3rd, 3 lengths behind Team Player at Musselburgh 2800m Handicap in April. MARBLE SANDS (FR) Dwelt tracked leaders, ridden over 200m out, stayed on to finish 2nd, neck behind Poncho at Goodwood 3200m Handicap last October. IN THE BREEZE (IRE) Started near rear, moved up beyond 600m, 2nd 400m out, chased winner, finished 2nd, 8 lengths behind winner at 2800m Handicap in September.
RACE 6: DOWNLOAD THE AT THE RACES APP NURSERY (DIV 1) (6) (FROM WOLVERHAMPTON RACE 1) – 1441M | TIME: 23:15 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 6200
STORMY WINTER Soon led, crossed, ridden, headed 200m out, weakened to finish 5th, 5 lengths behind Sierra Belle at Kempton 1200m Novice Stakes in September. HOOSIER (IRE) Chased leaders, pushed 600m out, ridden 400m out, stayed on, finished 4th, 2.25 lengths behind Fille Etoile at Wolverhampton 1200m 2YO Novice Stakes in October. CARAVEL (IRE) Shared 3rd early, dropped last, eased over 200m out, finished last of 4, 7 lengths behind Coat Of Red over 1200m in July. LUSHILL (IRE) Tracked leaders, ridden 400m out, weakened 200m out, finished 6th, 10 lengths behind Grapple over 1400m in September.
RACE 7: DOWNLOAD THE AT THE RACES APP NURSERY (DIV 2) (6) (FROM WOLVERHAMPTON RACE 2) – 1441M | TIME: 23:45 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 6200
PRINTING MONEY (IRE) Chased leader, led 200m out, held on to win at Wolverhampton 1400m 2YO Handicap by nose over Perfect Hope in September. HELLO YOU TEN (IRE) Led, ridden over 200m out, headed late, finished 2nd, 2.25 lengths behind Revoked at Southwell 1600m 2YO Handicap in October. GLOBAL SUCCESS (IRE) Tracked rivals, outpaced 400m out, finished 9th, 17 lengths behind Satellite Of Love at Redcar 1200m Listed Stakes in October. ODEGAARD Rallied over 400m and 200m, switched left before 200m, stayed on well to finish 5th at Newcastle 1200m Novice Stakes in July.
RACE 8: SKY SPORTS RACING SKY 415 HANDICAP (4) (FROM WOLVERHAMPTON RACE 3) – 1441M | TIME: 00:15 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 10000
CHAMPION AGAIN OLE (IRE) Led early, shaken at 200m out, finished strongly, won 1400m Handicap at Wolverhampton by 1 length over Pressure’s On in March. STAR OF MALI (IRE) Wore hood, keen midfield, improved over 400m out, led last 200m, won by 1.75 lengths at Wolverhampton 1400m Handicap in October. POWDER MONKEY (IRE) Held behind leaders, chased leader 400m out, led 200m out, weakened final 100m, finished 3rd, 1 length behind Charlie’s Cannon at 1400m Handicap in October. DUBLIN BAY (IRE) Chased leader, weakened over 400m out, finished last, 14 lengths behind Charlie’s Cannon at Wolverhampton 1400m Handicap in October.
RACE 9: RACE AND REST – WOLVERHAMPTON HOLIDAY INN CONDITIONS STAKES (GBB RACE) (2) (FROM WOLVERHAMPTON RACE 4) – 1739M | TIME: 00:45 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 25000
MEYDAAN (IRE) Finished 3rd, 3.5 lengths behind Magnitude at Meydan, UAE 2000m Novice Stakes in March. AL ZANATI Led 1000m out, headed entering final 200m, weakened, finished last, 5 lengths behind winner Persica at Newbury 2000m Listed Stakes in July. MORRIS DANCER (IRE) Wore hood, held at rear, outpaced last 400m, brief finishing effort, finished 6th, 4.5 lengths behind Maho Bay at 2000m in September. TREBLE TEE (IRE) Wore hood, held rear, dropped behind 400m out, eased final 100m, finished last, 21 lengths behind winner at Goodwood 2000m in September.
RACE 10: CAVANI BEST DRESSED HANDICAP (3) (FROM WOLVERHAMPTON RACE 5) – 1225M | TIME: 01:15 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 15200
KIND TOUCH (IRE) Wore hood, raced from rear, improved over 400m, led after 200m, finished strong 2nd, 0.5 lengths behind winner at 1200m Handicap at Ripon in September. DANDANA Wore hood, held up, ridden 200m out, improved but lacked pace, finished 4th, 3 lengths behind winner at Lingfield 1000m Handicap in September. KNEBWORTH Led, ridden 400m out, headed 200m out, kept on, finished 3rd, 1 length behind Fast Track Harry at Kempton 1200m Handicap in October. PUROSANGUE Wore hood, midfield, pushed 400m out, dropped to rear 200m out, weakened, finished last, 9 lengths behind Pilu at Yarmouth 1200m Handicap in September.
RACE 11: CAVANI TAILORED CHAMPION HANDICAP (6) (FROM WOLVERHAMPTON RACE 6) – 1225M | TIME: 01:45 | PRIZE MONEY: GBP 6200
MACARONE Prominent led 400m out, extended lead at 200m, won 1200m Handicap at Ffos Las by 0.5 lengths in September. A LOTT OF KANE (IRE) Always led, quick start, asserted 200m out, pushed final 200m, won 1200m Handicap by 0.75 lengths over Apex Star in October. DANCE FANTASY (IRE) Mid-pack, moved to 3rd by halfway, pushed over 200m out, weakened in final 200m, finished 5th , 3.5 lengths behind winner at Newcastle 1200m Handicap in October. TWO AND TWO (IRE) Always towards rear, finished 7th, 5 lengths behind Eightthreeone at Yarmouth 1200m Handicap in October.
France Express Form & Race Previews (Deauville) – Monday, October 19
RACE 1: PRIX DE LA FORET DE LYONS HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM DEAUVILLE RACE 1) – 1900M | TIME: 19:55 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 50900
ZELORO (FR) Fourth in a Class 2 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 29 September. Finished second in a Quinte+ over this track and trip on 7 August and with Maxime Guyon choosing to take the ride, does look the runner to beat. FEARLESS CHEETAH (FR) Unplaced in a Class 2 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 29 September. Has won at this course and is better than last run. Will be competitive at this level and has a live winning chance. CELESTIAL (FR) Fifth in a Class 3 at Chantilly over 1600m on 4 September . That was a respectable return after a four-month break. Has strong form at this course and should be right there at the finish. TIEGO THE FIRST (FR) Runner-up in a Class 3 at Deauville over 1800m on 5 October. Has been consistently placed in Quinte+ during the year and will have Mickael Barzalona up. Needs to be considered.
RACE 2: PRIX EQUIDAYS (PRIX HABITAT) STAKES (2YO) (FROM DEAUVILLE RACE 2) – 1900M | TIME: 20:30 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 31100
ALIAS (FR) Excellent runner-up in a Condition at Chantilly over 1600m on 29 September. Has lofty ambitions and should be able to put this field to bed. ALLEZ PAPA (FR) Outclassed the opposition in a Maiden at Compiegne over 1800m on 15 September. Showed a great turn of foot to win and is another looking for Graded success. ATOSSA (FR) Successful in a Maiden at Vichy over 2000m on 21 September. Improved from debut and could have a bright future. GOLEM (FR) Came home fourth in a Maiden at Toulouse over 2000m on 30 September. Raced greenly in that and there should be improvement to come.
RACE 3: PRIX DU PRE D’AUGE STAKES (2YO) (FROM DEAUVILLE RACE 3) – 1300M | TIME: 21:05 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 27400
SPEEDBOAT (IRE) Colt by Bayside Boy out of Siyouni mare Queen Of Speed trained by Amy Murphy. Granddam Whizz Kid won a Group 1 at ParisLongchamp and two Group 2 races. Hard to ignore. ICHIKA (IRE) Filly by Saxon Warrior out of Showcasing mare Izumi trained by Andre and Lavinia Fabre. Dam was placed in a Listed. First foal to race and merits consideration. XITIDE (FR) Filly by Muhaarar out of Teofilo mare Taweyla trained by Andre and Lavinia Fabre. Will have the benefit of 3.5kg out of Bryan Labate’s allowance. Dam’s first foal to race and warrants attention. LA MADRAGUE (FR) Filly by Midshipman out of Northern Afleet mare Negligee trained by Louis Baudron. Dam was a Group 1 winner in the USA and Canada. Nice prospects.
RACE 4: PRIX DE LA VILLA LES ABEILLES HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM DEAUVILLE RACE 4) – 1900M | TIME: 21:42 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 38400
DALIASIR (IRE) Finished runner-up in a Class 2 at Angers Eventard over 2000m on 21 September. Only found one older horse too good and must have a live winning chance despite dropping in trip. CARCAGNY (FR) Finished third in a Handicap at Saint-Cloud over 2000m on 25 September. Looked a winner before being caught close home. Was not beaten far and must be a threat in this company . ROCCAMARE (IRE) Came home sixth in a Listed at ParisLongchamp over 2400m on 18 June. Will be making Handicap debut and needs to be respected. KYOTO SPIRIT (IRE) Unplaced in a Class 2 at La Teste De Buch over 1400m on 5 September. Must be better than that and has finished third on this all-weather track. Respect.
RACE 5: PRIX DE LA FORET DE CINGLAIS HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM DEAUVILLE RACE 5) – 1900M | TIME: 22:19 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 15400
ARYVESAN (FR) Came home fifth in a Class 4 Handicap at Bordeaux- Le Bouscat over 1800m on 8 October. Can bounce back to score. ZOUBAREVA (FR) Finished third in a Class 4 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 7 October. Can earn some money against this bunch. AMICIS (FR) Finished third in a Class 4 Handicap at Senonnes- Pouance over 2000m on 19 September. Positive run and could follow up. ROYAL RIGHT (IRE) Finished ninth in a Class 4 Handicap at Deauville over 2400m on 25 August. Capable of improving this time around.
RACE 6: PRIX DE LA FORET D’EAWY HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM DEAUVILLE RACE 6) – 1900M | TIME: 22:56 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 21100
BRAMANS (FR) Came home sixth in a Class 4 Handicap at Vichy over 2000m on 21 September. Is capable of making presence felt. EVER FAST (FR) Came home fourth in a Class 3 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 29 September. Has claims in this line-up. DAL YAMIX (FR) Threatening to win and was runner-up in a Class 3 Handicap at Angers Eventard over 2000m on 21 September. Can repeat dose. MOON RIDER (FR) Outclassed the opposition in a Class 3 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 7 October. Can make the frame.
RACE 7: PRIX DE LA FORET D’ECOUVES HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM DEAUVILLE RACE 7) – 1900M | TIME: 23:33 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 19200
KIEVSKY (FR) Threatening to win and was runner-up in a Class 3 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 7 October. Should be competitive yet again. CORONADO (FR) In good form and finished third in a Class 3 Handicap at Deauville over 1800m on 27 August. Could challenge here. LA DOLOISE (FR) Successful in a Class 3 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 29 September. Has confidence and could score. KALAFA (FR) Finished eleventh in a Class 4 Handicap at Vichy over 2000m on 21 September. Could bounce back and earn a minor cheque.
RACE 8: PRIX DU MARAIS VERNIER HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM DEAUVILLE RACE 8) – 1900M | TIME: 00:10 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 25900
SOEUR (FR) Showed promise and was third in a Class 3 at Chantilly over 1800m on 14 September. Does have claims in this line-up. ALMAROMY (FR) Unlucky eighth in a Class 2 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 29 September. Is better than last and can challenge. DARI RIVER (FR) Finished eighth in a Class 3 at Chantilly over 1800m on 14 September. Current form does not stand out but rating looks on a competitive mark. Can surprise if fit. AURA (FR) Came home fourth in a Class 3 at ParisLongchamp over 1600m on 13 September. Improving nicely and could earn a minor cheque.
RACE 9: PRIX DE LA FORET DE CERISY HANDICAP (HCP) (FROM DEAUVILLE RACE 9) – 1900M | TIME: 00:45 | PRIZE MONEY: EUR 17300
POLMINHAC (FR) Outclassed the opposition in a Class 3 Handicap at Deauville over 1800m on 27 August. Will look to repeat. DARIYANGEL (FR) Finished sixth in a Class 3 Handicap at Chantilly over 1800m on 29 September. Can bounce back to challenge. ETERNAL BLESSING (FR) Finished thirteen in a Class 3 Handicap at Saint- Cloud over 2400m on 25 September. Is capable of producing better. ANGEL CHARLY Ordinary sixth in a Class 4 Handicap at Toulouse over 2000m on 16 September. Has a place chance.
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David Hall reaches 700-win milestone in Hong Kong
David Hall joined a celebrated group of current Hong Kong trainers by securing his 700th Hong Kong win with a double at Sha Tin on Sunday (11 October).
Hall modestly deflected the achievement after joining contemporaries John Size (1,667), Tony Cruz (1,617), Caspar Fownes (1,243), Ricky Yiu (1,113), Francis Lui (1,043), Danny Shum (943), Dennis Yip (899), Manfred Man (749) and David Hayes (731) as winners of 700 or more races in Hong Kong.
“It’s not something you go to work every day thinking about but 700 (wins) sounds good – 800 will sound better,” Hall said after Ka Ying Attack and Kempes scored.
Hall, 62, transferred to Hong Kong in 2004 after guiding champion stayer Makye Diva to the first of her record three triumphs in the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) before claiming Group 1s in his new surrounds with Absolute Champion and Invincible Sage.
The Australian was delighted with the performance of Ka Ying Attack (129lb), who forged along the rail under a superb ride from Matthew Poon to land the Class 2 Yuen Long Handicap (1200m) after jumping from gate 10. Taken to the tail of the field by Poon, Ka Ying Attack burst on the scene late to beat Rising Force (132lb).
“I decided to take him back and it’s easy now to say that decision was the right one but it was a perfectly executed ride as well,” Hall said. “I didn’t want him to get caught wide first-up. The horse is just flying; he’s in the zone – he finished off last season well and he’s started this season in the same form. It’s exciting, it’s great.”
Kempes (121lb) continued his brilliant form with a powerful sprint under Andrea Atzeni to overhaul Bustling City (131lb) in the closing stages of the Class 3 Lau Fau Shan Handicap (1200m, dirt). Winner of the G1 Estrellas Juvenile (1600m) as a two-year-old in Argentina, where he raced as Dark Love, Kempes has thrived with stints at Conghua.
“He’ll go back to Conghua. He’s enjoying the routine he’s in at the moment. He’s not just a dirt horse – he can run on the grass just as effectively, as you’ve seen. He’s probably as good as he’s ever been in Hong Kong – it’s taken a long time, but he’s putting it together now,” Hall said.
Gathering momentum for a tilt at a sixth Hong Kong trainers’ championship, Caspar Fownes predicts a rapid rise through the ratings for Megastar Heart after the injury-prone gelding’s emphatic victory.
Plagued with lameness issues since arriving from Australia, where he won twice including once at Listed level for Annabel Archibald, Megastar Heart (123lb) absorbed midrace pressure before fending off Swift Ascend (135lb) to win the Class 3 San Tin Handicap (1200m) by two lengths in 1m 08.53s.
Fownes said: “He’s been lame since he arrived – proper lame. It’s frustrating but that’s what we work for – to get that and hopefully now he pulls up alright and he comes back and then we’ve got something to work with going forward. If we can do that, he’s a chance to get there. He’s a chance to really get up through the ratings.
“He’s a very nice horse. He’s had a lot of problems. He’s been one of the hardest horses for me to train in my career. So, for me to get him to where he is now and finally get him fit, I think we have a really nice horse going forward and I thank the owner (Good Time Syndicate) for being a little bit patient with him because we had to take a long time to get him to where we want to have him. I think he’s a chance to go quite high.”
The Star Turn gelding’s victory earned a PP Bonus of HK$1.5 million as well as prizemoney of HK$1.04 million and left reigning Hong Kong Champion Trainer Fownes with eight wins for the campaign, behind Pierre Ng (10), Manfred Man (10), Cody Mo (eight) and Hall (eight).
Jolly Brilliant (135lb) finished stoutly to win the Class 4 Ping Shan Handicap (1600m) for Ricky Yiu to give Andrea Atzeni a double after the Italian had scored on Kempes.
In-form Jerry Chau also excelled with a double. He first patiently piloted Sunny Q (133lb) to victory in the Class 5 Kam Tin Handicap (1000m) before producing another timely ride on David Eustace’s Mighty Profit (126lb) in the Class 4 Lam Tei Handicap (1200m).
Derek Leung’s rich vein of form continued with Mark Newnham’s Armour War Eagle (130lb) in the Class 4 Mai Po Handicap (1200m, dirt). Leung has 10 wins for the campaign, a tally bettered only by Zac Purton (17).
“It’s been very smooth. The trainers who always support me like Cody (Mo), Manfred (Man) and Frankie (Lor) have had a good start and I am lucky to ride with them,” Leung said.
“I just hope everything keeps going smooth and I can continue to ride winners for them and keep improving myself.”
Let’s Have Fun (119lb) broke through at his 15th attempt with victory in the Class 4 Pok Oi Cup Handicap (1200m) for David Hayes and Matthew Poon after Brett Crawford and Karis Teetan combined with Shinyu Kokoroe (127lb) to land the Class 5 Hung Shui Kiu Handicap (1200m, dirt).
Ng regained leadership of the Hong Kong trainers’ championship when Storm Mirror (130lb) defied his pursuers to prevail in the Class 4 Nam Sang Wai Handicap (1400m) for Vincent Ho before Purton and Douglas Whyte teamed with Celestial Hero (125lb) to win the Class 3 Shui Pin Wai Handicap (1400m).
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday (14 October).
By Leo Schlink






















