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DOUGLAS WHYTE Picture: HKJC
Horse Racing, NEWS STREAM
Whyte poised to snare another HK milestone
April 2024
Revered for his extraordinary exploits as a jockey with a record 13 Hong Kong championships, Douglas Whyte’s famed appetite for achievement is showing no signs of abating as the South African searches for more success at Sha Tin on Saturday.
With a record 1,813 victories in the saddle, Whyte is now only two wins short of 200 as a trainer and he has four runners tomorrow – Link, Red Elegance, Valiant Elegance and Flaming Rabbit – as he looks to add to his stable’s 30 wins so far for the season.
A last-start Class 2 winner over 1600m on 31 March, Flaming Rabbit stretches to 1800m for the first time when he contests the Class 2 Advancing Culture & Sports Handicap under regular rider Lyle Hewitson.
“He’s stepping up and taking a chance,” Whyte said. “He bounced back well from a freshen-up and he won with authority last time. He’s won over a tough mile at Goodwood, so if he has a soft time of it (in front), he’ll get the 1800m. He’s vulnerable, but he should get the trip.
“He’s in good form and I took the opportunity of running him. It would be too long between runs otherwise, we would’ve had to wait for the next mile race and trial again first.”
Whyte is also represented by last-start course and distance winner Valiant Elegance, who runs in the Class 4 Empowering Youth Handicap (1200m, dirt) for Antoine Hamelin.
Successful on 16 March, Valiant Elegance’s rise in class is offset by a five-pound weight drop to 117lb as he bids for his eighth Hong Kong win from 50 starts.
“He’s as honest as the day is long and he comes in with a light weight. Hopefully he can run in the money,” said Whyte, confirming champion stayer Russian Emperor would bypass the HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m).
With a total of 2,011 wins as jockey and trainer, Whyte trails only Tony Cruz, who boasts 2,448 Hong Kong victories with 946 as a jockey and 1,502 as a trainer.
Caspar Fownes has seven entries for Sha Tin this Saturday and, after notching his 1,100th Hong Kong winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday night (17 April), the four-time champion trainer hopes Joy Of Spring can overcome barrier 12 in the Class 4 Healthy Community Handicap (1600m).
“The draws haven’t been kind to use these last couple of months but it is what it is,” Fownes said. “The horse presents well again – wide gate, going to a mile at Sha Tin, I think will be quite suitable for him.
“He’s only a lightly-framed horse but his fitness level is very good and Vincent (Ho) on top, so hopefully with a bit of tempo and a nice ride, we should be closing off hard.”
With a full book of 10 rides, apprentice Angus Chung needs only one more Hong Kong win to reach the 70-victory graduation mark. Chung, 27, is fourth in the 2023/24 jockeys’ championship with 38 wins behind Zac Purton (91), Karis Teetan (62) and Hugh Bowman (47). - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: A number of these horses have a winning chance. Charming Steed showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. From his low draw under Vincet Ho, he appears to get a good number of favours in the run. Noble Win drops down in grade and start following. If he can stay in touch early, he could prove too strong late. Asian One turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Cool Blue looks ready to run a big race in Class 5, start following. M M Nebula had excuses last start and forget the run.
Race 2: Invincible Lucky recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting a good run can be expected. He can. He looks ready to win. Sunny Da Best last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. From a lower draw and taking a rise in distance, he should be able to improve into the money. War Of Courage was not disgraced last start when beaten by a smart horse. Expect him to give a good sight from barrier 2. Happy Daily can bounce back a winner anytime in this class. Strathbarry the lightweight will help and can run well.
Race 3: Sing Dragon winner of last two starts and is a big chance to pick up the winning hat-trick here. Victory Moments nice horse who is a model of consistency and he will get his chance to turn the table on Sing Dragon after finding him too good in his two most recent starts. Reward Smile looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Magniac had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire. Well placed with the apprentice claim and can give a sight. Monta Frutta rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up.
Race 4: Chateauneuf had genuine excuses last start, pulling up lame and with mucus as the short-priced fancy, and can improve in this race. He has since trialled well and can atone. Prince Of Porty has a great record in this class and must be respected. He should prove a strong winning chance on the downgrade here. Prosecco more than capable of winning again in this race after breaking through stylishly last start. Red Elegance good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and is racing well after a stable change. Flying Phantom recent runs have been encouraging and can run well.
Race 5: Another wide-open AWT race over the extended mile. Starship Eighty generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. If Vincent Ho can settle handier, he looks a good chance of breaking through in Class 4. Galvanic good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Barrier 3 and the 10lb claim are key to his chances. G Liner should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Bear Slam changed stables recently and has improved. Mayhem looks well placed and can be placed at value but barrier 14 is very tricky.
Race 6: Must Go more than capable of winning again in this race after an impressive last-start win on his first try on the AWT. Just a 3YO who should have some upside for Size, he appears to get all the favours from barrier 4. Solid Shalaa nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance to upset the favourite. Hinokami Kagura improving type and getting close to a win. Robot Knight best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Everyone’s Victory showed improvement at a recent trial and he is well rated now where he can bounce back anytime.
Race 7: Flying Mojito good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. The rise to the mile suits his chances and a low draw should provide him a better run in transit than some of his key rivals. Californiatotality winner of last two starts and will go close again. However, he will need early luck from barrier 14. Laugh Tale best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Joy Of Spring has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Smart Fighter never far away from the winner and could sneak a place.
Race 8: Call Me Glorious nice 3YO with a good chance to bounce back for a win here after being far from disgraced on his first run in Class 3 last start. Trialled well since and appears to be a nice horse on the rise. Lady’s Choice every chance last start but still ran a good race. Always a chance and should be in the finish. Solid Impact back racing in good form but will need a smart steer from barrier 10. Young Achiever well prepared for debut and is worth considering. Purton in the plate first-up piques interest. Ima Single Man should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way but he will be used up from barrier 11.
Race 9: Nice race, this, with plenty of formlines to dissect. Chill Chibi nice 4YO with a good chance here after a decent fourth in the Derby. The drop back in distance suits and he could be a horse with more to come. The Best Peach drops back from a Group race and this will be easier. Barrier 2 could see him map closer, which will enhance his chances. C P Brave good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Sweet Encounter can upset some more fancied rivals on best form. Flaming Rabbit well supported last start and won accordingly.
Race 10: Patch Of Theta winner of last two starts and is a big chance to post the winning hat-trick. Drawn well again and he has points in hand. Magnificent Nine looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Drawn better and blinkers go on first time – he will go very close here. Chiu Chow Spirit had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Sky Heart holding form with recent good trial and looks well. Beauty Missile has been placed last three starts, deserves a win soon but the wide draw makes things tricky.
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