Hong Kong Royal Clone Challenge
Hong Kong Racing Club is back at it again with our second ever season of racing. We have made some changes that make training a snap. For the most part all turf races are one week with all the dirt races another week as they alternate every two weeks. The 2010/2011 season is sure to be an exciting one with plenty of big purse money being thrown around. The first big race of the year will be the Royal Clone Special. The stakes race is only for clones of real life Hong Kong runners. The 500 grander is sure to be an exciting nine furlongs on the turf. Last year this race was towards the end of the season. This year we are permanently moving the race so as to make it an annual big kick off event. The series also has a class three route this week, and an open turf sprint. We also have a pretty good chunk of races bid in Hong Kong. Check out all the entries in Hong Kong this week and don’t miss any of the action!
The field is full of promising talent. Since only the clones can participate in this 500 grander a few big stars are missing. This race is full of some wonderful talent. We may be witnessing next year’s HK Triple Crown horse in this one, a feat that will certainly be very difficult. All the runners in this race are currently three and have been racing three year olds for the most part. Now let’s take a look at the field:
1-BOBBY CLEAR ROCKS (IRE) colt 12/1
ROCK OF GIBRALTAR x CLEAR CHOICE x ROBERTO
Trainer: TROTTER Jockey: H.Harbert
Clone of GOSHAWK
Career: 9-1-0-2 $24,590
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
8 turf allowance nw2l 2 2 3 6 82 T.Brewer
turf class two HKRC Pearl River Mile 1 1 1 3 85 P.Kelly
8 turf allowance nw1x 2 2 4 5 86 T.Brewer
BOBBY CLEAR ROCKS has been less than stellar so far. With that being said he is a front runner who loves the lead getting the rail. He should only have to out duel SINGA CLOWN for the lead whom will be coming from the far outside post position. If he can get the early lead he may be right in the mix of things. The stars may be perfectly aligned for BOBBY CLEAR ROCKS in this one.
2-HELDINHIGHESTEEM (IND) filly 11/1
NOVERRE x MARK OF ESTEEM x IMPERIAL FALCON
Trainer: SELURNIVEK Jockey: D.Aldrige
Clone of BOSS
Career: 7-1-1-3 $42,470
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
7.5 turf MSW 6 5 4 1 82 T.Brewer
9 turf class two Royal Clone sp. 4 4 3 3 89 R.Rice
9 turf class three Hong Kong Sp. 5 5 5 7 85 C.Shinkle
Last year’s series training champion SELURNIVEK has HELDINHIGHESTEEM ready for this one after finally breaking maidens. The filly is a wildcard that could surprise. She does have a knack for coming in the money. She finished third in this race last season.
3-TIME IN MOTION (NZ) colt 9/1
O’REILLY x TALE OF THE CAT x MONSUN
Trainer: TEEJAY Jockey: C.Shinkle
Clone of HEADSIWIN
Career: 4-1-2-0 $70,170
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
9 turf allowance nw2y 5 6 6 5 80 T.Brewer
9 turf class three Hong Kong Sp. 10 9 8 1 91 M.Goldsbury
8.5 turf MSW 7 6 4 2 87 P.Kelly
TIME IN MOTION broke maidens by winning the class three Hong Kong Special. He proved he is capable of an outstanding turn of foot in that race. In his last start he waited too long to make his move. He may need longer, or maybe he just needs to stalk closer to the front. His limited experience shows great potential, but he may have some growing pains.
4-LPGA GOLD (KY) filly 9/1
WAR CHANT x SEEKING THE GOLD x STORM CAT
Trainer: Balata Jockey: Y.Mills
Clone of NORMAN INVADER
Career: 1-0-1-0 $4,900
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
8.5 turf MSW 6 4 2 2 88 T.Brewer
More than just pedigree points to a bright future with this one. Her first and only start was very solid. In that race top jockey T. Brewer decided to race her. The odds makers are giving her some respect as well despite her maiden status. If she doesn’t come up big in this one do not be surprised if she does come up big in the near future.
5-WOODEN PEG (KY) colt 13/1
FUSAICHI PEGASUS x WOODMAN x DANZIG
Trainer: Balata Jockey: B.Hollier
(based on an import from a onetime international race)
Career: 7-2-2-0 $70,000
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
turf class two Pearl River Mile 5 5 5 5 81 T.Brewer
12 turf Champions Chartar (TC) 8 8 7 5 62 H.Ly
9 turf class three Skyscraper sp. 5 5 3 3 93 Ne.Lewis
Stumbled at a mile last time out and failed to impress in the twelve furlong Triple Crown event previous to that. The good news is it appears he loves nine furlongs as evidenced by his Skyscraper Special performance. That was a class three event, so he will have to prove himself against tougher competition this week.
6-SIR KEEPER (NZ) colt 14/1
KEEPER x SIR TRISTRAM x HABITAT
Trainer: HAWKZ Jockey: S.Wooley
Clone of CHEERFUL DOUBLE
Career: 7-1-0-2 $41,876
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
10 turf Bang the Gong Stakes 3 3 3 3 72 P.Kelly
9 turf class three Skyscraper Sp. 8 8 8 6 86 K.Brett
7 turf ST-Twelve Slew Challenge 7 7 7 6 94 P.Kays
Not really sure what to make of this colts results. He certainly is very close to a potential break out regarding his speed numbers. He needs to get more consistent and make a leap forward. His last stakes performance shows he is capable of some speed despite that races disappointing result.
7-ELBOW (KY) colt 8/1
EL PRADO x RAINBOW QUEST x DANZIG
Trainer: BALATA Jockey: T.Brewer
Clone of SPANISH MOON (raced in Hong Kong)
Career: 7-3-0-1 $369,000
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
9 turf class three hong kong sp. 7 7 6 4 88 T.Brewer
12 turf Champions Char. TC 2 2 1 1 83 P.Kelly
9 turf class three Skyscraper Sp 6 6 4 3 90 H.Ly
Won the final leg of the Triple Crown last season, but that was a light field and at twelve furlongs. If he can do it again his earnings will put him over 500 grand in just eight races. T. Brewer more than likely regretted not riding ELBOW in the Triple Crown, and has elected to be up on ELBOW in this one.
8-BASALT MONOLITH (KY) colt 9/2
GIANT’S CAUSEWAY x DANEHILL x MR. PROSPECTOR
Trainer: LIDDLESKI Jockey: T.Hamill
Clone of WALKONTHEWILDSIDE
Career: 3-2-0-0 $22,860
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
9 turf allowance nw1x 2 2 2 1 93 H.Ly
7.5 turf (offtrack) allowance nw1x 4 4 3 7 85 H.Ly
6 turf MSW 2 2 1 1 88 H. Ly
BASALT MONOLITH proves you can find a top notch breed in Hong Kong. His pedigree is a marvel. His only hiccup so far has come on a wet track. He has shown thus far he likes to sit just off the leader before taking full control of a race. This means he is likely to find himself in perfect position in this race. Don’t be surprised if this giant has his coming out party this week.
9-WING MASTER (IRE) colt 13/1
DANEHILL DANCER x BARATHEA x CARO
Trainer: LEBOWSKI Jockey: C.Baxter
Clone of WING MASTER
Career: 3-1-1-1 $18,228
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
7.5 turf MSW 8 7 5 1 85 P.Kelly
7.5 turf MSW 10 9 7 3 85 P.Kelly
6 turf MSW 9 9 8 2 78 P.Kelly
LEBOWSKI is figuring at least one runner in this race is going to have a coming out party, and he hopes WING MASTER is just the colt to do it. The potential is there for a very fast runner for sure. The biggest issue with this entry is the fact he is jumping up in class while trying to prove he can get nine furlongs.
10-STIRLING BRIDGE (AUS) filly 6/1
ELVSTROEM x PEINTRE CELEBRE x BARATHEA
Trainer: TEEJAY Jockey: P.Kelly
Clone of BRAVE HEART
Career: 5-3-1-0 $58,152
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
9 turf allowance nw2x 3 3 2 1 90 T.Brewer
9 turf class two Royal Clone Sp. 6 6 6 1 93 C.Shinkle
8 turf MSW 8 8 3 1 94 P.Kelly
This gal has three wins in a row now. She won last year’s version of this race towards the end of the season. The race was class two then. She likely is going to be a strong contender as she has beaten the boys before. Hong Kong residents have probably noticed that sire ELVSTROEM has done quite well for residents. He certainly sired a good runner in STRILING BRIDGE. P.Kelly who road many of these runners to maiden victory including STIRLING BRIDGE is up.
11-RAKTI HEIGHTS (AUS) filly 15/1
RAKTI x SHIRLEY HEIGHTS x BELLYPHA
Trainer: HAWKZ Jockey: R.RICE
Clone of ???
Career: 8-2-1-1 $92,152
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
9.5 turf Queen Mambo Stakes 13 13 13 13 78 C.Barnett
9 turf class threeHong Kong Sp. 11 11 9 2 90 Pe.Williams
10 turf HKRC Mother’s Day Cup 6 6 4 1 88 R.Rice
As Dante said in the movie Clerk’s said, “I’m not even supposed to be here today!” Yes RAKTI HEIGHTS is not a clone (atleast I do not think), but hey we all love RAKTI! RAKTI HEIGHTS may rally to trounce this field. Certainly elite jock R.Rice thinks so.
12-HAPPY DRAGON (KY) filly 7/1
FUSAICHI PEGASUS x DEHERE x EMPIRE MAKER
Trainer: LEBOWSKI Jockey: H.Ly
Clone of YOUNG WITNESS
Career: 7-2-1-3 $84,578
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
turf class two Pearl River Mile 3 3 2 1 90 R.Rice
6 turf HKRC Sha Tin Vase 6 6 6 4 90 R.Rice
6.5 turf class two Super Sprint 3 3 2 3 89 R.Rice
She has beaten the boys before and her nose is almost always in the money. Her last performance was her longest try and best win. She will need to prove she will like the additional furlong. It may be a lot to ask of her to beat the boys in this one from post 12.
13-SINGA CLOWN (AUS) colt 9/1
DANASINGA x MARK OF ESTEEM x SIR IVOR
Trainer: PEKAYS Jockey: P.Smith
Clone of XAVERIAN QUEST
Career: 6-3-1-1 $82,755
Recent Races C1 C2 C3 Fin. Speed Jock
9.5 turf allowance nw3x 1 1 2 2 83 S.Wooley
9 turf class three Sky Scraper Sp.1 1 1 1 95 C.Baxter
8 turf Chairman’s Trophy 1 1 1 1 86 B.Callguire
Only ever finished out of the money once and that was a fifth place finish in only his second career start. SINGA CLOWN likes the lead and may be challenged coming from the far out post position. The good news is he has proven he can get the distance.