(Courtesy of http://www.fasttrack.hk)

While rumors in Oz of another piece of uh-oh publicity swirl around more rorts allegedly involving a high profile Melbourne jockey well-known to Hong Kong racing fans and a raid on his home by unmarked cars in the early hours of Friday, we’re off to see the Wizard and merrily skip along that Yellow Brick Road.

(Source: Layout Sparks)

It’s been hotter than Hades in an Indian curry house in Hong Kong this week, and with the end to the season fast-approaching, there is a need to think about a few things. Hades can play tricks on one’s mind like it does on Mad Dogs and Englishmen.

(Source: Cinema Ffiche)

Firstly, there’s a need to think about tired horses- especially those who have run nearly every week and are now flat- like Solar Great last week which was waiting to be beaten and started at ridiculously low odds- and low odd “sure things” sucker punch us all.

(Source: Flickr)

Then, there’s the question of how many real bullets the leading trainers might have left? Eight? Ten?

(Source: Cold Fusion-Guy)

This might be that time of the season to look at the smaller local stables of trainers like the uniquely named Me Tsui- no relation to Me, Tarzan- pictured below, the gentleman that is Peter Ng, even Andy Leung and, perhaps, Francis Lui.

(Source: Next Media)

Looking at the smaller expat stables now will get you nowhere as most have failed to deliver all season.

All very nice guys but simply no real horsepower in their stables which means all fizzle and no sizzle and the local rumor mill rampant that at least one will pull up stumps at the end of this season.

(Source: Baby Boomer Flash Back)

On the jockey front, with Dougie Whyte in Japan along with Gerard Mosse for the Yasuda Kinen- with trainers John Size, Caspar Fownes and those weird looking Hong Kong mascots that give many nightmares- who came up with this nonsense? Ronald McDonald?- the chasers will do what they always do when they lose and chase after every horse ridden by the Zac Attack and Tommy Berry, the reclusive Howard Hughes of Hong Kong, which might make many of their rides start under the odds- and which will result in more chasing.

(Source: Twitter)

(Source: Punters Paradise)

Of course only an idiot will ignore the two jockeys riding the best in Hong Kong at the moment, but I will continue to look for value and the rides of the underrated Tye Angland, Richard Fourie, Howard Cheng, Derek Leung, Olivier Doleuze and Andy Suborics- Super Subi- a damn good bloke who has made a miraculous recovery after a near-fatal fall and is riding again with great confidence.

(Source: Apple Daily)

Who says nice guys always end up last? Subi’s comeback is real feel good movie stuff and a project waiting to happen in Hollywood.

(Source: Racing Diary 2009)

Apart from these jockeys, there are the two apprentices- Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum- Alvin Ng and Dickie “Speedo” Lui- whose navigation skills can undo the best-laid plans. But if they get their own way out in front, those wascally wabbits are damn hard to run down.

(Source: My Cotopia)

With many of the senior jockeys not really wishing to get too close to them as they can be a menace during a race and causing an accident, perhaps instead of another suspension, these kids need help to improve their navigation skills?

(Source: Alice In Wonderland)

“Speedo”, especially, needs more experience before trying to tackle the big boys. He and those next in line could do with a damn good mentor like Felix Coetzee who’s seen it all and knows Hong Kong racing back to front. Plus he’s a champion bloke.

(Source: HKJC)

In fact, after watching replays of some of the latter races held at Rosehill and Eagle Farm yesterday, some of the senior riders who suffered from apparent brain freeze during their rides- especially Glyn Schofield- might also need serious help from Scatman Coetzee.

Some of those rides would gave Hong Kong’s Chief Stipe, Kim Kelly, frothing at the mouth. What say Ye, Ray Murrihy???

(Source: Brisbane Times)

In the meantime, don’t follow leaders, watch your parking meters, swing when you’re winning and keep looking down for the ankle biters.

R1: 13-14-1-2
R2: 5-1-7-3*
R3: 11-10-5-1
R4: 5-6-1-9
R5: 6-2-10-3*
R6: 3-1-12-4
R7: 3-4-12-13
R8: 5-14-8-11
R9: 13-4-6-12
R10: 9-2-4-1*

*betting races

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TODAY’S SELECTIONS FOR SHATIN (From @ThirdDividend)

(Source: Share 2 Like)

Race 1: BERNARD’S CHOICE (1) Gorgeous Life (6) Young Happy (14) Cosmo One (13)

Race 2: MAYALAN PEARL (5) Jamesina (1) Full Value (2) Kingston Spartacus (10)

Race 3: HORSESHOE FORTUNE (7) Nobel Flier (11) Clement Spirit (5) Happy Kaiser (1)

Race 4: TAYSIDE (11) Joy Together (5) Southern Cross (7) Mighty Gains (6)

Race 5: GRACEFUL KINGDOM (6) Regency Champion (2) T-Bolt (3) Kissmet (7)

Race 6: PLEASURE GAINS (1) Majestic Anthem (3) Thanksgiving (4) Craig’s Pride (8)

Race 7 (Q1): BOBO DRAGON (3) Glorious Sunday (4) Rewarding Hero (10) Sparkling B (5)

Race 8 (Q2): APPROVE (8) King’s Folks (5) Sichuan Exec (14) Uwillbeglorious (10)

Race 9 (Q3): FABULOUS NOVEMBER (6) Principal (13) Helene Fun Star (2) Hypersonic (8)

Race 10 (Q4): VITAL GOLD (12) Blazing Speed (4) Nice Folks (10) Happy Era (2)

Best Bet
Race 9: FABULOUS NOVEMBER (6)

Next Best
Race 1: BERNARD’S CHOICE (1)

Value Bet
Race 10: VITAL GOLD (12)

Quaddie ($100 gets you 93%)
3,4,10
5,8,14
6,8,13
2,4,10,12

Six Up
2-6
1-3-4
3-4
5-8-10-14
6-13
2-4-10-12

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MUST WATCH: THE GEOGRAPHICALLY CHALLENGED

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MIZANI TO MAKE CAZALS LOOK LIKE A LITTLE WILLIE ON WEDNESDAY?

(Source: SCMP)

(Source: SCMP)

The very exciting young galloper Mizani from the Richard Gibson yard steps out on Wednesday over the 1800 metres Happy Valley Vase and which promises to be one of the highlight races on the city track.

(Source: Apple Daily)

With regular jockey Olivier Doleuze aboard, Mizani tackles Happy Valley for the first time, but the horse doesn’t look like it will have any problems handling it.

Plus, though the Happy Wednesday Night series of French promotions are over, this hasn’t stopped Monsieur Doleuze from being on absolute Gaelic ooh la la fire.

(Source: Apple Daily)

Also in the race will be the Tony Cruz-trained Willie Cazals which came from right off the pace to run a very close second to stablemate California Memory in the recent running of the Standard and Chartered Champions and Chater Cup.

(Source: HKJC)

Because of the Conditions of the race, Willie Cazals is more like Little Willie as it has a postage stamp weight to carry.

The more important question is whether 1800 metres is too short for the horse. Weight can stop a train and the wrong distance can confuse a horse.

(Source: HY Gain)

Something tells us it will be along with Willie looking as if he won’t appreciate the tight Happy Valley track.

Still, Tony Cruz is no fool and with occupants from interplanetary Mars communicating with him through his alien earpiece, he must have a plan being beamed through to get a win outta Willie before the end of the season.

(Source: Wikia)

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HARLOW DALI PIC TIPS FOR SUNDAY

RACE 1

RACE 2

RACE 3

RACE 4

RACE 5

RACE 6

RACE 7

RACE 8

RACE 9

RACE 10

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CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW’S TREASURE CHEST

(Source: Fan Pop)

Finding treasures can be a hit or miss job, but Captain Jack Sparrow, has rolled them tumbling dice, has Keith Richards kiss them and let it fly.

What under-valued treasures has he found? Here goes: R3,5 (CHARITY SPIRIT), R5, 10 (FAY DEEP), R7, 4, (GLORIOUS SUNDAY), R8,11 (HECO RIDER) and R9, 13, (PRINCIPAL)

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Entourage

This time, Natalie and Nats alone has picked the Six Up after the last two legs on Wednesday are still running.

Tarzan Am I running under lights for the first time and drawn barrier nine over 1000 metres, a standout? Come now, let’s be sensible!

R5: 6-10
R6: 1-3-4-12-14
R7: 3-4
R8: 5
R9: 4-13
R10: 1-10