Hong Kong Horse Racing Tips: De Sousa to get fine tune out of Music Addition
RACING returns to Happy Valley this afternoon following a two-week break at the inner city track. A lot has happened in racing over the last fortnight. More than 100,000 boisterous racing fans bounded through the turnstiles for the Chinese New Year meeting at Sha Tin last week, betting an astronomical £170 million across the card.
Douglas Whyte, the 13-time champion Hong Kong jockey, bowed out for the final time at Sha Tin to take up his new career as a trainer, while Silvestre de Sousa rode a treble on the Chinese New Year card following a two-meeting suspension.
The Brazilian wasn’t finished there though, repeating the feat with another treble at Sha Tin last Sunday, taking his record to 30 winners since arriving on a short-term HK contract back in November.
However, it hasn’t been all plain sailing for De Sousa. While back in the UK for his enforced holiday, he suddenly found out that he had lost the ride on both Hong Kong Derby favourite Dark Dream (to Zac Purton) and Pakistan Star in this Sunday’s Group One HK Gold Cup.
Despite those setbacks, De Sousa must be enjoying himself in the territory, having applied to extend his contract for an extra month up to the end of March.
He has eight rides on the nine-race programme at Happy Valley today and will be determined to continue his fine form.
None of his rides look an automatic first-choice, although top-weight All Best Friends in the 11.45am seemed to be returning to form when fourth behind Special Stars over course and distance last month.
The five-year-old now finds himself back in similar company to when winning last season and can capitalise on the expected quick early pace by finishing strongly and making the frame.
It could be a similar scenario when he climbs aboard Super Hoppy, who has to be ridden cold, when they lineup in the 1.15pm, again over six furlongs.
This four-time course and distance winner suffered a troubled journey before finishing strongly behind prolific winner Country Star recently, but this time he gets the prime inside draw. He can go close.
Maybe De Sousa’s best chance of success could come in the finale at 2.50pm when he teams up again with MUSIC ADDITION.
The combination never looked in danger of defeat when running away from their rivals over six furlongs three weeks ago.
The handicapper was obviously not impressed, giving him a hefty 10lb penalty for that victory. However, as that was only his third run in Hong Kong and his closing 400m sectional time was under the magic 23 seconds, he could be something special.
He will need to be, though, with short-priced favourite Tornado Twist in opposition. The John Size-trained contender completed a hat-trick with the minimum of fuss at Sha Tin recently and has risen 30lbs in the ratings since November.
However, he didn’t look entirely comfortable when trialling at the Valley back in December and has an awkward draw to overcome.
Music Addition has the advantage of an inside draw and looks set for a dream journey throughout the contest.
He could have just enough in hand over his main rival.
POINTERS
Music Addition 2.50pm Happy Valley