Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: Chaparral set to Star for frustrated punters
NEWS that former three-time Hong Kong champion jockey Joao Moreira could return to the city in December, after failing to secure a full-time licence in Japan, will be music to the ears of presently disgruntled, gambling- mad racing fans.
Racing fanatics, from market street traders and taxi drivers to professional gamblers, are having a tough time since the season started in September.
Results from the previous three race meetings – 28 races in total – show that just two favourites have obliged, and one of those was odds on. The return of the ‘Magic Man’ Moreira can’t come quickly enough for many who saw him as their ticket to the moon.
While Moreira has been wowing the Japanese crowds with his skill and expertise, having already ridden nearly 50 winners at a 40 per cent strike-rate, some of the Hong Kong jockeys, such as Vincent Ho and Karis Teetan, who lived for so long in the shadows of Moreira and Purton, have suddenly sprung into the limelight.
Locally born Ho, who spent his summer holidays riding in the UK for trainer Mark Johnston and rode a winner for him at Haydock, produced a career best at Sha Tin last Sunday by riding a four-timer.
One local commentator broadcast live on air that Ho was riding so well he could win on a broomstick! All his rides are worth keeping an eye on at present.
An even better story is the continued rise of Mauritian-born jockey Teetan. The 28-year-old finds himself just one win behind Zac Purton in the jockeys’ table, having kicked home 10 winners and four places in his last 26 rides.
Teetan is a confidence jockey. When he is on fire, he can be followed blindly, and it goes without saying, when things go wrong, stay well clear of him!
He has a handful of mounts at Happy Valley this afternoon and will surely be disappointed if he leaves the inner-city track empty-handed.
The combination of Teetan and trainer Tony Cruz has already produced rich dividends for bettors this season. The partnership has visited the winner’s circle six times from just 14 runners and they team up with the well-drawn Pakistan Baby in the six-furlong opener at 12.15pm.
The four-time track and trip winner made an encouraging seasonal appearance last month and is now 1lb below his last winning mark.He has solid each-way claims.
Teetan has also struck up a good association with trainer John Size and they combine with consistent Money Boy in the five-furlong dash at 2.45pm.
With a favourable draw a bonus, he is another who can make the frame. However, his best chances of victory look to be Amazing Satchmo and CHAPARRAL STAR who seeks to follow up his recent Sha Tin success in the 1.15pm over the extended mile.
This looks a competitive handicap on paper, but there are reasons to believe this Caspar Fownes-trained gelding is much better than his present rating, despite a 6lb penalty.
This will be his first attempt at the distance and at Happy Valley. As a son of High Chaparral, he should excel at this trip and his sire also has an exceptional record of producing winners around the tight-turning track.
POINTERS THURSDAY
Chaparral Star 1.15pm Happy Valley