R8 THE BOCHK JOCKEY CLUB CUP

R8 SUMMARY / THE BOCHK JOCKEY CLUB CUP

SHA TIN (M20) - SUNDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 2022

4:40PM HK TIME

G2 - 2000m Turf - B+2

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The Jockey Club Cup is a tough race to be overly confident about given the key runner, ROMANTIC WARRIOR, is fresh-up over the 2000m trip. Of course, if in the UK, you’d trust particular trainers to do the job and Danny Shum is very good, but this approach is rarely seen in Hong Kong. That said, he has trialed well to the eye over 1600m, and Purton reported on The Triple Trio that he felt like a racehorse. He rates well clear of the others at his best and deserves to be clear favourite. BEAUTY JOY is another relatively unknown in that he isn’t straightforward and he’s untried over 2000m. Given how he’s run over 1800m, you’d say the trip would be okay for him, but if he over-races, and he can, then he’s no chance. MONEY CATCHER beat Beauty Joy home in the Ladies’ Purse, but the weight swing between them is 9kgs in favour of Beauty Joy! That’s very significant. RUSSIAN EMPEROR is a horse not to be underestimated. He’s probably a run away from full fitness, but with questions over others he could dash into the finish. TOURBILLON DIAMOND is consistent at this level and maps to get a soft run behind the leaders. Overall though this isn’t a race I’ll bet into early, with Romantic Warrior being the horse to beat.

Selections / Hutchi's Picks

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1 ROMANTIC WARRIOR RP - $2.21

1st @ $2.20 & $1.20 ($2.60 BC)

3 BEAUTY JOY RP - $4.34

7th

2 RUSSIAN EMPEROR RP - $11.53

9th

4 TOURBILLON DIAMOND RP - $15.37

2nd @ $1.90p (quinella with 1 @ $8.60)

Strategy / Hutchi's Approach

NO OUTLAYS RECOMMENDED AT THIS STAGE. CONSIDER RATED PRICES, HHLIVE AND OUTLAY ACCORDINGLY.

Field / vip access to full prices

Number / Horse (Barrier) Weight (lbs) / Rated Price (RP)

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1ROMANTIC WARRIOR (9) 128 lbs RP - $2.21

J: J McDonald T: C S Shum
He should be unbeaten and could now be a dominant force over 2000m of the local horses. Whilst he’s had a set-back, he has trialed up okay and brings some excellent peak speed figures from the Four-Year-Old Series. Back-up after the Derby by winning the Group 1 QEII. A genuine HK star and is clearly the horse to beat.

2RUSSIAN EMPEROR (7) 128 lbs RP - $11.53

J: B Shinn T: D J Whyte
He’ll be further improved with this run and it’s well-documented he’ll be peaking on International day. He’ll be ridden quietly and has a brilliant sprint when saved for one run. He can finish into the placings and is capable of an upset at his best.

3BEAUTY JOY (4) 123 lbs RP - $4.34

J: Z Purton T: A S Cruz
The enigma of the field in that he can do things wrong in a race. Purton handles him very well though and for that reason he is right in contention. I think he might be ridden to lead and control the race and from there be hard to beat if Romantic Warrior isn’t where he needs to be.

4TOURBILLON DIAMOND (1) 123 lbs RP - $15.37

J: A Badel T: C S Shum
Ran 2nd to Romantic Warrior in the QEII Cup off an economical rails run. Is capable of the same here from barrier 1. He’s a solid chance for exotics and is generally reliable.

5KA YING STAR (5) 123 lbs RP - $73.78

J: L Ferraris T: A S Cruz
Missed the start last time and was never a factor. I’m not sure that he is going that well, but is a pace influence and place chance at best.

6SENOR TOBA (3) 123 lbs RP - $26.04

J: C Y Ho T: C Fownes
He was ridden positively last time and is improving with each run. The distance is more suitable, but he will of course be better over 2400m. From the draw he can naturally settle closer in the running and work into the finish. He can’t sprint as sharply as a few others, but if they’re not at their best he could capitalise.

7PANFIELD (8) 123 lbs RP - $18.45

J: S De Sousa T: A T Millard
This is a more suitable race for Panfield than the mile of the Sha Tin Trophy. He’ll be further improved for the run but could get some minor prizemoney.

8SAVVY NINE (6) 123 lbs RP - $73.78

J: J McNeil T: D J Whyte
He can’t win the race, but he’s racing well and should have no excuses from a fitness perspective. 2000m is also a query.

9MONEY CATCHER (2) 123 lbs RP - $21.60

J: H Bowman T: F C Lor
He broke through to win in Hong Kong last time and had every favour in a sprint home. The conditions of this race aren’t as suitable and I’d be surprised if he could beat Beauty Joy again, let alone Romantic Warrior. Drawn to receive the right run though.

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