KING KONG CUP by gcliffo

 

Hong Kong (HK)

Sunday, December 15, 2013 — 3:00:00 PM EST | Race ID: 1051037 

King Kong Cup

Grade I / Group 1 – Purse: $3,000,000

Restricted to 3 Year Olds and Older

10 Furlongs | ~2000 Meters | One Mile and One Quarter 

Today we travel to Hong Kong for a spectacular day of racing. Perfect weather and track conditions  are predicted for Hong Kong’s Premier race the King Kong Cup over a distance of one mile and one quarter on turf, restricted to 3 year old’s and older. Featuring a super international field of 13 turf horses trained to the minute by some of our best trainers, competing for $3,000,000 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.

BIG BAD SIMSTER  

(lado3 – GR Simsters) 21 runs, 6 wins $975,545.

Nicely bred 4 year old brown colt by Big Brown. He has won 3 of his last 6 starts. He is untested on this track. 3 runs back he ran a disappointing 8^th in the 10F G3 The Rennen Classic in Germany, on turf, running SP 97. He was then an impressive winner of the 10F G3 The Cup of Europe in Germany, on yielding turf, running a smart SP 109. His final lead up run resulted in a fantastic 2^nd place finish in the 10F G1 Coxless Stakes in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running a slick SP 112. To be ridden by D Evans and will jump from a perfect gate in 1. In fine form and rates highly here.   ODDS 9/1

COTES DU RHONE      

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

Another nicely bred 5 year old brown horse by Dubawi. He has won 5 of his last 7 starts. He is untested on this track. 4 runs back he disappointed running 7^th in the 12F G1 The Coronation Pilsner in Surrey (England), on turf, running SP 107. He improved at his next start to win the 12F G2 The Dutchland in Germany, on turf, running a smart SP 109. He again disappointed at his next run finishing 6^th in the 11.5F G2 in Japan, on turf, running SP 98. In preparation for this he dropped back in class to win a 12F Allowance in Sweden, on turf, running a respectable SP 106.  To be ridden K Hellestrae from a good gate in 2. Stepping back up to G1 company here but in form, must include in the chances.  ODDS 11/1

POUR FERN  

(fernando2 – Universal Racing Club) 13 runs, 3 wins $595,220.

This lightly raced 3 year old bay colt by Pour Moi has won 1 of his last 6 starts. He is untested at this track. 4 runs back he ran 3^rd in the 9F G3 The Movie Cup in California (America), on turf, running SP 106. A great win followed in the 9F G2 The Hall Of Fame in New York (America), on turf, running a fast SP 113. He then disappointed when finishing 9^th in the 10F G2 Early Months Stakes in NSW (Australia), on turf, running SP 102. His final lead up resulted in a respectable 8th in the prestigeous 12F G1 Breeders’ Bowl Mile in California (America), on turf, running a smart SP 109. To be ridden by O A Hack, will jump from gate 3. Nice horse who has run some top races in good company, must be included in the chances.   ODDS 10/1

GIMME   

(italst7 – Empire State Racing) 12 runs, 5 wins $1,971,650

My No 5 selection. This well bred, lightly raced 3 year old brown colt by Tanino Gimlet has won 4 of his last 5 starts. He is untested on this track. 4 runs back he ran on nicely to win the 12F G1 Adelaide Derby in Queensland (Australia), on turf, running SP 106. He then ran 4^th in the 12F G1 Owner’s Stakes in Ontario (Canada), on turf, running SP 104. Dropped back in class he easily won a 10F Allowance NW4x in Arizona (America), on dirt, running SP 106. His final lead up run resulted in a very impressive win in the 10F G1 Coxless Stakes in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running a fast SP 114. To be ridden by his favorite jockey F Gossett from an ideal gate in 4. Well placed and very impressive last start. Very good chance.   ODDS 12/1

PEGATE AQUI SANTI   

(stchaack – Hispano Parlante) 25 runs, 7 wins $312,958.

Experienced 5 year old brown horse by Grindstone. He has won 2 of his last 5 starts. First try at G1 company and is untested on this track. 4 runs back he ran on gamely to run 2^nd at stakes level in the 12F Royal Roo Turf Memorial in California (America), on turf, running a respectable SP 107. He followed that with a fair 4^th place finish in the 13F G3 The Freer Stakes in Newmarket in England, on turf, running SP 101. Dropped back in class he charged home to win a 10.5F Allowance race in Spain, on turf, running SP 106. His final lead run resulted in a fine 2^nd in the 10F G2 The McKinnon in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running SP 107. To be ridden by J Selden and will jump from gate 5. In good form but this race might find him out. Outside hope.   ODDS 12/1

ALLENTOWN AL   

(phillips – Michigan Racing Club) 32 runs, 6 wins $74,783.

Experienced 5 year old brown horse by Fairbanks. Has been getting belted in claimers of late so the connections are having a throw at the stumps here. To be ridden by A Craig and will jump from gate 6. Owners will have a great day being part of a wonderful day of racing. We wish them luck but hopelessly outclassed.   ODDS 514/1

BUSTIN CHOPS   

(blankpoin4 – GR Simsters) 10 runs, 5 wins $2,075,770.

Another well bred, lightly raced 3 year old chestnut colt by Malibu Moon who has won 50% of his starts. He is untested on this track. 4 runs back he ran on nicely to win the 10F G1 The Queen’s Dish in Ontario (Canada), on turf, running a fast SP 112. He followed that with a fast finishing 3^rd in the 12F G1 Owner’s Stakes again in Ontario, on turf,, running a respectable SP 108. 2 runs back he ran a fine 2^nd place finish in the 12F G1 Ark De ComicDog in Paris, on turf, again running SP 108. His final lead up run resulted in an impressive win in the 10F G2 The McKinnon in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running a smart SP 110.  To be ridden by M Clooch from gate 7. Well performed, progressive young horse with good crediantals for a race like this. He must be given good chance.  ODDS 12/1

CRYIN OUT LOUD   

(beenskunkd – Blazing Saddles) 32 runs, 16 wins $10,318,800.

My No 2 selection. Another superbly bred 6 year old chestnut horse by Street Cry. He is the most accomplished runner in the field and won this race last year. He has tasted success in 2 of his last 5 starts. Near the end of the 2012 racing season he easily won the 10F G1 Coxless Stakes in Australia, on turf, running a smart SP 113 followed by another top win in the 10F G1 King Kong Cup in Hong Kong on turf running a scintillating SP 119. Next came a 4^th place finish in the 10F G1 Mr Met Cap in South Africa on turf running SP 114, then another win in the 10F G2 The Victoria Cup in Australia on turf running a slick SP 115. A 2^nd place finish followed in the 10F G1 The Queen’s Spring Cup in Hong Kong on turf running a strong SP 112. 5 runs back he won the 10.5F G1 Tattersalls Gold in Ireland on good turf running SP 108. He then ran on yielding ground in Japan producing an average 4^th in the 11F G1 Kakarazuka Kinen Cup running SP 108. Germany was his next assignment, in the 10F G3 The Rennen Classic, on turf, producing another win running a fast SP 111. 2 runs back he was a fair 3^rd in the 10F G1 The Osmonds Memorial in New Zealand, on turf running SP 100. His final lead up run resulted in a fine 2^nd in the 10F The Fall Talent Show (won by Asterism) in Japan, on turf, running SP 108. To be ridden by regular jockey K Ledwith and will jump from gate 8. Top class horse that will take a power of beating.   ODDS 5/1

REMOVEFROMSHACKLES    

(willyam – GR Simsters) 15 runs, 7 wins $227,291

Lightly raced, well-bred 4 year old brown Colt by Dubawi. He has won 2 of his last 3 starts. He is untested on this track. 3 runs back he sat on the pace to record a fine win at stakes level in the 9.5F Worldflys Wells Turf Route in Deauville (France), on turf, running a fast SP 112. Another easy win followed, again at stakes level in the 10.5F Foggy A.P.Turf Route in Louisiana (America), on turf, running SP 105. His final lead up run, again at stakes level, resulted in a 4^th place finish in the 9F Dinky Liquor Turf Route in Oklahoma (America), on good turf, running SP 105. To be ridden W Kewmwa from gate 9.  Very consistent horse facing G1 company for the first time. Some top class horses here will make his task very difficult.  ODDS 11/1

WILLIAM STREET   

(sonofaus – MIDAS) 18 runs, 8 wins $1,051,960

My No 3 selection.  Another regally bred, lightly raced 5 year old brown horse by Street Cry who has last won back on the 09/02/2013 in G1 company. He has competed in G1 races at his last 8 starts He has been placed at this track. 6 runs back he brilliantly won the 10F G1 Mr Met Cap in South Africa, on turf, running a scintillating SP 122. He followed that with 4^th in the 12F G1 The Queen’s Spring Cup in Hong Kong, on turf,, running a smart SP 111. 4 runs back he ran 2^nd in the 10F G1 The Prince Of Whales in Berkshire (England, on turf, running SP 107. He then disappointed in the 8F G1 The Suffix in Newmarket (England), on turf, running SP 101. He was disappointing again running 6^th in the 10F G1 The Champion Stakes in Ireland, on turf, running SP 104. His final lead up run resulted in good 3^rd place finish in the 10F G1 Coxless Stakes in Victoria (Australia), on turf, running a smart SP 111. To be ridden by G Scott from gate 10. Well performed horse derserving of success.  He must be given a great winning chance.  ODDS 6/1

ASTERISM   

(malekfarms – DelPenn National) 11 runs, 6 wins $2,789,840.

My No 1 selection.  Another royally bred 3 year old bay colt by Galileo, winner of his last 4 races. He has been placed at this track. 4 runs back he won the 10F G2 The Adam Gene, on turf, in France running SP 109, stalking the pace. He followed that run with another win, again in France on turf, in the 10F G2 The Guillaume, taking the lead from the outset and posting a fast SP 112. He was then super impressive in his all the way win in the 10F G1 The Osmonds Memorial in New Zealand on turf. He was under a good hold by his jockey but still ran a smart SP 109, drawing clear by 4 ½ length margin. His final lead up run resulted in a fantastic all the way win in the 10F G1 The Fall Tent Show in Japan, on turf, running a slick SP 111. To be ridden by O Brim, will jump from gate 11. This impressive colt will be trying to end his outstanding season on a high note. I have huge opinion of this fellow, could be a super star in the making,  will be putting my cash on the nose.   ODDS 8/1

PREDICTABILITY     

(tapit – Blazing Saddles) 8 runs, 6 wins $1,346,136

My No 4 selection. Very lightly raced 3 year old bay colt by Oasis Dream. He has won 6 of his 8 starts, 2 at G1 level. He is untested on this track. 4 runs back he won the 12F G1 Derby de English in Surrey (England), on turf, running a respectable SP 109. He disappointed at his next start finishing 7^th in the 12F G1 The French Grand Prix in Paris, on turf, running SP 103. He then impressively won the 10F G3 The Furstenberg in Germany, on turf, running a fast SP 116. His final lead up run resulted in a fantastic win in the 10F G1 Eclipse Stakes in Newmarket (England), on turf, again running a fast SP 116.  To be ridden D Givens from an awkward gate in 12. Racing in great form, expecting this colt to be right in the finish.  ODDS 10/1

COCOOMA    

(redcar – EAAA Racing) 16 runs, 4 wins $759,185

Another well-bred, lightly raced 3 year old brown colt by Dynaformer who has won 1 of his last 5 starts. He is untested at this track. 4 runs back he ran a fair 4^th in the 12F G1 King Geoff and Queen Beth’s Emerald Stakes in Surrey (England), on turf, running SP 105. He followed that with a nice 2^nd place finish in the 12F G2 The Great Volt, again in Surrey, on turf, running a fast SP 115. 2 runs back he disappointed running 7^th in the 12F G1 Ark De ComicDog in Paris, on turf, running SP 100. His final lead up run resulted in a poor 12^th in the prestigeous 12F G1 Breeders’ Bowl Turf in California (America), on turf, running SP 102. To be ridden by J Ledwith from a wide gate in 13. Out of form at the moment so prepared to risk him here.   ODDS 15/1

LONHRO’S DANCER     

(e2912 – Blazing Saddles) 33 runs, 10 wins $960,653

Experienced 5 year old brown horse by Lonhro. He has won 3 of his last 6 starts. Well-travelled horse but yet to be tested on this track. 4 runs back he impressively won the 10F G1 The Eclipsed Stakes in Berkshire (England), on turf, running a smart SP 114. He followed that with a 3^rd in the 10F G1 Windy City Turf Classic in Illinois (America), on turf, running SP 106. He then disappointed running 7^th in the 10F The Osmonds Memorial in New Zealand, on turf, running SP 95. His final lead up run resulted in a good 2^nd place finish in the 10F G3 Allison Stakes, again in New Zealand, on turf, running a respectable SP 108. To be ridden by J Wilson from the outside gate in 14. Will need luck from the barrier but if gets a few favours should be competitive.  ODDS 8/1

1^st place = ASTERISM

2^nd place = CRYIN OUT LOUD

3^rd place = WILLIAM STREET

4^th place = PREDICTABILITY

5^th place = GIMME

Greg (gcliffo)