2019 Hong Kong International Races
5.40 Sha Tin, Hong Kong Vase
Exultant is by far the best staying horse in Hong Kong over 1m4f, the 11/8 available with the UK bookies may look generous considering how dominant he has been at Sha Tin. There are 7 Europeans and 3 Japanese runners taking on the four Hong Kong based runners. Aiden O’Brien fields two runners in the Epsom derby winner Anthony Van Dyck and Mount Everest, with the derby winner looking the best with his firm ground form; both could be available at big prices on the PMU in Hong Kong.
Southern Legend has some great form at Sha Tin, even though he has only won at grade 3 level. He is available at 40/1 with the UK bookies and rates a great each-way bet having placed in his last four group ones here at Sha Tin.
Recommended bets
Southern Legend, 40/1 each-way generally available
Anthony Van Dyck, 8.0+ on the PMU
6.20 Sha Tin, Hong Kong Sprint
The 3-year-old Aethero was an impressive winner of the group 2 Jockey Club Sprint last time out over course and distance on the 17th November. He finished well in front of the established sprinting stars, though he did have the benefit of been race fit while nearly every other runner was making their seasonal debut. He is aiming to become the first 3-year-old to take to take this race and will be odds-on to do so. Hot King Prawn returned from nearly a year off to run a great race to finish second to Aethero. Hot King Prawn flopped in this race last year, having gone in to that race with a similar profile to today’s favourite.
Regency Legend finished well behind Aethero when making his seasonal debut, in what was his first defeat, having racked up four impressive sprint victories. He went in to that race at the head of the market with Aethero but didn’t show his true running first time out, he should fair much better this time around with a run under his belt if he can overcome a poor draw in stall 12; he can be backed at 33/1 with the UK bookies.
Recommended bets
Hot King Prawn, 7/1 generally available
Regency Legend, 33/1 each-way Bet365
7.30 Sha Tin, Hong Kong Mile
Beauty Generation superiority has begun to slip this year after two rare defeats. He does race off level weights in this group one contest that he won last year but he now does look vulnerable to the younger generation.
Waikuku beat Beauty Generation in to third last time out and although he was getting 5lb, it did look a comfortable victory. Unless Beauty Generation bounces back to former glories then Waikuku should again confirm placing’s; he is available at 9/2 with the UK bookies.
Recommended bet
Waikuku, 9/2 generally available
8.10 Sha Tin, Hong Kong Cup
The Hong Kong horses Furore and Rise High are vying for favouritism in what looks a wide open race; though with the UK bookies Rise High is available at a much bigger 4/1 compared to the best price 11/4 for Furore. The form of Rise High does look stronger and he does know how to win. Rise High finished 3 lengths behind Furore when they both chased home exultant here on the 17th of November, though there are valid reasons to think the placing’s can be reversed as High Rise forfeited ground having been pushed wide when trying to challenge on the final bend.
Glorious Forever won this race last year but has run poorly in both runs this season, with a contributing factor being his head-to-head front-running battles with his full brother Time Warp. The Japanese runner Win Bright was an impressive winner on his only visit to Hong Kong and that level of form gives him the beating of all these, though his form has dropped off in recent races.
Recommended bets
Rise High, 4/1 888 Sport
Glorious Forever, 28/1 each-way Betfair Sportsbook
