International Racing

The feature race on the planet today was the 1800m, HK$10,000,000 (EU1,213,844) G1 Hong Kong Classic Cup run at Sha Tin. Rapper Dragon, the latest sensation in that part of the world went to the stalls at around the 4-5 mark. Beauty Generation, Pakistan Star and Seasons Bloom were the others under 10-1. Rapper Dragon ridden by the Magic Man Joao Moreira is No 1 and in the Blue and Red. Pakistan Star with Silvestre de Sousa aboard is last in running.

 

Yes, Cyc, a fine ride from Moreira, but a poor one from de Sousa, IMHO?

 

Maybe Swanny. I've been looking at all eight Pakistan Star's races and he seems to have problems either in the stalls or mustering pace. Maybe it was a crap ride by de Sousa, but he might also have been the victim of the horse. Would de Sousa really want to ride him so far back? Dunno really.

 

Yep, maybe I was a bit harsh on de Sousa, Cyc, Pakistan Star is obviously a difficult ride.

This will sound like one of Tamerlo's ''Down Memory Lane", but anyway, there was once a racehorse long ago called Zucchero. He was an absolute beast, talented but would never but never give of his best. Just about everything trainer Bill Payne tried with the horse failed. In 1953 he was entered for the semi-classic (nowadays a classified Group 1 race) Coronation Cup at Epsom. Payne put Lester Piggott up to see if this then young jockey could do something with the wayward devil. Approaching Tattenham Corner, Zucchero was his usual sulky self, screwing around and not giving his all, but this time he had the young master on his back. Piggott suddenly gave him one almighty whack with the whip and Zucchero, shocked out of his skin as it had never happened with such force before, shot forward as if fired from a cannon. Together, horse and rider managed to negotiate that last bend, and Zucchero then ran like a scalded cat up the long straight to win comfortably. All Lester had to do after whacking him was to hang on. Zucchero had loads of talent, but was a wicked sod who had a mind of his own.

Writing this basically from memory but somewhere I do have Timeform's "Racehorses of 1953" annual, so I'll check to see if I've got it all right tomorrow. In the meantime, found something on the horse in the Free Library website:

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Original Zucchero as difficult as he was brilliant.-a084132115

Oh yes, Lester Piggott won the Coronation Cup nine times - Zucchero (1953), Nagami (1959), Petite Etoile (1960, 1961), Park Top (1969), Roberto (1973), Quiet Fling (1976), Sea Chimes (1980), Be My Native (1983). A few great racehorses there!

 

The best I can find of Zucchero was his nice third behind Wilwyn in the first Washington International in 1952. Number 4.

 

Tks, Cyc, for this clip. You know, Zucchero also ran one hell of a race in the inaugural running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (aka The Festival Of Britain Stakes) in 1951, when he was only beaten three-quarters of a length by the winner, Supreme Court, in a race that was won in a then track record time for the distance. Such a shame Zucchero was such a rascal; he had loads of talent.

Found a clip of the race from Movietone News. Again, just love that commentator and the dazzling accompanying music.

 

https://www.racing.com/live-vision.aspx

Magnatti a real chance at 10-1.

PS Led into the straight and got run over.

 

The G1 Chipping Norton was today run in Sydney. As soon as the field was announced, Winx, looking to make it 16 on the trot, was made the hottest of favourites. And then the rains came, by the buckets full. The track copped a drenching. With the going deteriorating to a heavy 9, connections of the mare struggled with whether to run her or not. It was finally decided to let her loose. She's in the blue and white and settles four from the rear.

 

Another race of note that took place in Australia today was the G1 Blue Diamond, a race for two year olds. It's the premier "babies" event in Victoria. Valued at AU$1,500,000 (UK pounds 923,500), the event is often seen as the main pointer to the G1 Golden Slipper, a race worth $3,500,000 which will be run in a few weeks. Punters thought the race would be a battle between the best colt and filly in the betting, and so it turned out. They started first and second favourites. The filly, Catchy proved to good for Pariah, who for a while, looked all over a winner. Catchy drew four from the outside and is in the red and white checks, red sleeves and cap. She settles well back and comes deep on the corner. Pariah is in the green and settles three deep, just a couple of lengths off the pace. Ryan Moore's mount Formality finished third. He's in the all blue. First and third for Fastnet Rock.

 

Hong Kong horse of the year Werther, after being badly checked on the corner nails them on the line in the G1 HK Gold Cup. After climbing off Winx, Hugh Bowman hopped a flight to grab a nice double. Werther is in the yellow.

 

Last Saturday night we saw the 50th renewal of a pacing race known as The Miracle Mile. It's an invitational race that draws in the best pacers in this part of the world. With only eight runners allowed, getting a run is like winning the lottery. Only the very best are called on. Favourite for the race was the boom Kiwi four year old Lazarus, the winner of a fist full of G1 races in both NZ and Australia. Hectorjayjay was considered a live chance before the draw, but the great horse drew the outside gate, and his connection's hopes took a pounding. Their only option was to make use of his blinding gate speed and hope to cross. Another New Zealand entrant was Bling It On, the winner of the prestigious AG Hunter Cup two start back. The third Kiwi in the race was the well drawn Smolda, winner of the most recent Inter Dominion, the premier event in Southern Hemisphere. Lennytheshark,winner of the Inter Dominion the previous year and last year's Miracle Mile runner up was the other heavyweight in the race. The 2017 Miracle Mile turned out to be a cracker.

 

The Hong Kong G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup run over the 1400m trip was run yesterday. trainer John Moore,(son of George) had three starters in the event, and fill all three places. The winner Helene Paragon started at 5-1, Able Friend at 10-9 and Joyful Trinity was 15-2. They were the last three when the field settled.

 

What a hell of a race, Cyc, many thanks for video clip. Phew, those top pacers can really go, brilliant!

 

Sorry, Cyc, for error. Must have been a bit early in the day for this old fellah!

 

While on the subject of the standard bred horse, the Grand Prix de Paris has just been run in the last day or so. The commentary is a bit over the top, but the race is amazing.

 

The Wellington Cup run about a week back in New Zealand. With a furlong to go, it became the charge of the light brigade.

 

Agree, an incredible race, really did think the driver had left it too late, but he and Bold Eagle did it perfectly!

 

Bold Eagle's pop Ready Cash was some animal too Swanny. I loved this horse. Back to back wins in the Prix d’Amerique and among a host of other wins, this effort in the Final of the European Trotting Masters. He's No 13 in the white with red sleeves and cap. He'll come across from very wide at the start.

 

Cyc
I see Fiorente's first yearlings are going through the Inglis sales. A solid if unspectacular start. I think he stands at about AU$12,000 and his top lot was AU$200.000 with 4 lots making in excess of AU$100,000. Most seem to be selling in the 40-75,000 band, which I suppose is not a bad return.
Are there any comments being made on the quality of his produce? As a horse who didn't run as a 2yo and ran only 4 times as a 3yo (winning once) it is probably going to be 2020 before anyone knows where they are. It would be good to have a son of Monsun establishing himself in the colonies.
Cheers