KING KONG VASE by gcliffo

   

Hong Kong (HK)

Saturday, December 14, 2013 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID: 1051034

King Kong Vase

Grade I / Group 1 – Purse: $1,500,000

Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older

12 Furlongs | ~2400 Meters | One Mile and a Half   (TURF)

 

Today we travel to Hong Kong for a spectacular day of racing. Perfect weather and track conditions  are predicted for the King Kong Vase over the classic distance of one mile and a half on turf. Featuring an international field of 13 top class horses trained to the minute by some of our best trainers, competing for $1,500,000 in prizemoney and trophies. A huge crowd is expeted so lets have a look at the runners and see if we can find the winner.

SHUTDOWN CORNER  

(checkmate3 – GR Simsters) 28 runs, 8 wins $5,391,230

My No 2 Selection: Beautifully bred 5 year old brown horse by Distorted Humor. He has won 1 of his last 7 starts. He is untested on this track. 4 runs back, in a top class field, he ran a slashing 2^nd in the 11F G1 Kakarazuka Kinen Cup in Japan, on turf, running a super SP 116. That was followed by a disappointing 8^th in the 12F G1 King Geoff and Queen Beth’s Emerald in Surrey (England), on turf, running SP 101. 2 runs back he ran an average 3^rd in the Ark Trial in Berkshire (England), on turf, running SP 107. His final lead up run resulted in a 5^th place finish in the prestigeous 12F G1 Breeders’ Bowl Turf in California (America), on turf, running a slick SP 110. To be ridden by gun jockey L Radzinski from ideal gate 1. Has been finding it hard to get back to winning form of late but has still run some great races. If he hits top form watch out.  ODDS 7/2

DANE DE LAGO   

(grandarmee – GR Simsters) 21 runs, 6 wins $290,630

Nicely bred 4 year old brown colt by Encosta De Lago. He is a last start winner at this track. 4 runs back he ran a fine 3^rd in the 12F G1 King Geoff and Queen Beth’s Emerald in Surrey (England), on turf, running a smart SP 110. He then disappointed running 8^th in the 12F G1 The G.P.Von Baden in Germany, on turf, running SP 100. He was then dropped back in distance to run 6^th in the 10F G1 Eclipse Stakes in Newmarket (England), on turf, running SP 106. His final lead up run resulted in an easy win in a 10F Allowance NW2n race in Hong Kong, on turf, running a solid SP 107. To be ridden by D Evans from gate 2. Has been well prepared for this race and must be given a good chance.  ODDS 6/1

BERRI TARA    

(tulloch – MIDAS) 11 runs, 5 wins $169,852

Another lightly raced 3 year old bay filly by Commands. She has won her last 5 starts. First try at Group company and is untested at this track. Her first win came in a 10F Maiden. She then won 3 Allowance races over 12F, 13F and 14F in order. She then stepped up to stakes company to win the 12F Exploded Turf Stayer in New Zealand, on turf, running a respectable SP 105. To be ridden by B Scott from gate 3. Game, consistant filly but looks out of her depth here. Back against the girls might be her go. ODDS 21/1

INCESTO    

(battlers – Hispano Parlante) 29 runs, 8 wins $569,741

My No 4 Selection: Lightly raced 3 year old brown colt by Encosta De Lago leaving Australian shores for the first time. He has won 3 of his last 4 starts. He is untested on this track. 3 runs back he sat on the pace to record an easy win in a 10.5F Allowance NW4L race for 3 year olds in NSW (Australia), on turf, running SP 106. Another easy win followed in a 11f Allowance NW5L race for  3 year olds, again in NSW (Australia), on turf, running a smart SP 109. His final lead up run resulted in a fine 2^nd in the 13F G1 The Vickey Derby in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running another smart SP 110. To be ridden by K Ledwith from gate 4.  Progressive and very promising young horse that is really starting to make a name for himself. One of the leading chances.  ODDS 10/1

FOX OF WESTWOOD   

 (zwhisper – EAAA Racing) 19 runs, 8 wins $2,377,598

My No 5 Selection: This classy 4 year old brown colt by Galileo has won 3 of his last 6 starts. He is untested on this track. 3 runs back he easily won a 14F Allowance in Belgium, on turf, running SP 100. He followed that with a great win in the 12F G1 The Europe Classic in Germany, on turf, running a solid SP 107. His final lead up run resulted in a fair 6^th in the 16F G1 Millwood Cup in Australia, on turf, running SP 99. To be ridden by R Whisper from gate 5. Well performed horse. He must be given good chance.  ODDS 8/1

SICK HAND   

(qstick – MIDAS) 25 runs, 6 wins $301,430

This well-bred 4 year old brown colt  by Monsun  last won back on the 27/07/2013 at stakes level over 16F. He is untested at this track. 3 runs back he ran on nicely to place 3^rd in the 14F G2 The Kergorlay in Deauville (France), on turf, running a smart SP 109. At his next run he ran a fair 3^rd place finish in the 16F G2 The Don’s Plastered Cup in Surrey (England), on turf, running SP 102. His final lead up run resulted in an average 5th in the 16F G1 Millwood Cup in NSW (Australia), on turf, running SP 101. To be ridden by gun jockey F Gosset from gate 6. Nice horse but this race a bit tough.  ODDS 12/1

HAVEN OF VICE   

(checkmate2 – GR Simsters) 9 runs, 6 wins $180,150

This well-bred, lightly raced 3 year old brown colt  by Monsun has won his last 6 starts. His first win came in a 10.5F Maiden. He then won 4 Allowance races over 10.5F, 11F, 11F and 12F in order. He then stepped up to stakes company to easily win the 12F Last Groom T Turf Stayer in Denmark, on turf, running SP 102. To be ridden by W Kewmwa from gate 7. Very nice colt facing his acid test here. Will watch with interest this time.  ODDS 24/1

QUIET COMMANDS  

(worldbeatr) 12 runs, wins $478,865

Lightly raced 3 year old brown colt by Arch. He has won 2 of his last 4 starts. First try in G1 company and he is untested on this track. 4 runs back he ran 2^nd in the 13F G3 The Vase Of Chester in Berkshire (England), on turf, running SP 89. He followed that with an authorative win in the 12F G2 The Seventh King Eddie Stakes again in Berkshire (England), on turf, running SP 104. 2 runs back he disappointed, although in good time, when running 4^th in the 12F G2 The Great Volt in Surrey (England), on turf, running SP 108. His final lead up run resulted in a easy win in the 14F G2 The Hanging Chad in Paris, on turf, running SP 104. To be ridden by H Desitter from gate 8. Progressive horse that has been patiently handled. Tough task here but must be included in the chances. ODDS 14/1

THAT BEING SAID    

(xledwith – Hispano Parlante) 21 runs, 8 wins $210,848

This well-bred 4 year old brown colt by Oasis Dream has won his 2 of his last 4 starts. He has won twice at this track. After 2 easy 11.5F Allowance wins, at this track, he stepped up to G1 company running a nice 4^th in the 12F G1 Coffefields Cup in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running SP 105. To be ridden by S L Ledwith from gate 9. Nice horse, racing well but can only rate him an outside chance.  ODDS 10/1

K’S LE MIE SCUSE   

(miserman – DelPenn National) 20 runs, 4 wins $191,454

This 4 year old chestnut colt by Dance In The Dark has won 1 of his last 5 starts. 5 runs back he won a 11F Allowance NW3x race in NSW (Australia), on turf, running SP 104. He is untested on this track. 3 runs back he ran 2^nd in the 12F G2 Dawn To Dusk Cup in California (America), on good turf, running SP 104. He followed that with a disappointing 12^th in the 12F G1 Sword Swallower Stakes in New York (America), on turf, running SP 97. His final lead up run resulted in another disappointing 9^th in the 10F G1 The Roberto Clemente in California, on turf, running SP 93. To be ridden by H Harzheim from gate 10. Has been out of form of late, can’t see him getting into the money here.  ODDS 17/1

DON’T SLIP  

(weller1 – GR Simsters) 16 runs, 5 wins $386,354

My No 3 Selection: Well-bred 3 year old brown Colt by Bernardini who has won 2 of his last 3 starts. 2^nd attempt in G1 company and looks to have found the longer trips to his liking. He is untested on this track. 3 runs back he sat up on the pace to easily win a 12F NW4L Allowance race in Florida (America), on turf, running SP 100. He set the pace for another easy win at stakes level in the 12F Irish North Turf Stayer in Colorado (America), on turf, running SP 107. His final lead up run resulted in a pleasing 3^rd place finish in the 12F Coffeefields Cup in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running a solid SP 108. To be ridden by P Jones from gate 11.  Progressive young horse that is really starting to get his act together. Must be included in the chances.  ODDS 12/1

PUMP ACTION    

(shaagger – All-Stars Racing) 29 runs, 8 wins $569,741

This experienced 5 year old chestnut horse by New Approach has won his last 3 starts. First try at G1 company and he has not been tested at this track. 3 runs back he easily won the 12F G2 The Polish Damsire in Ontario (Canada), on turf, running a respectable SP 107. He followed that with another win at stakes level in the 12F Race Series for asr 11 in Paris, on turf, running a slick SP 110. His final lead up run resulted in yet another easy win, again at stakes level, in the 12F Race Series for asr 11 in Australia, on turf, running a SP 107. To be ridden by B Ampe from gate 12. Stepping up to G1 company here but in great form, must include in the chances.  ODDS 6/1

DEEP MAN   

(fleet1) 14 runs, 6 wins $1,497,680

My No 1 Selection: This lightly raced 3 year old brown colt by Deep Impact has won 2 of his last 6 starts. He is untested on this track. 3 runs back he ran on nicely to place 5^th in the 12F G3 The Gordy Stakes in Newmarket (England), on turf, running SP 108. He followed that with another fast finishing 5^th at stakes level in the  in the 9.5F Mangrove Jack Turf Route in Japan, on turf, running a solid SP 109. His final lead up run resulted in an easy win in the 13F G1 The Vicky Derby in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running a fast SP 112. To be ridden by M Wallace, will need luck from the outside in gate 13. Well placed and very impressive last start Very good chance.  ODDS 7/1

SELECTIONS

1^st place = DEEP MAN

2^nd place = SHUTDOWN CORNER 

3^rd place = DON’T SLIP 

4^th place = INCESTO

5^th place = FOX OF WESTWOOD 

Greg (gcliffo)