Gm, Equinauts

We love gambling. In fact, we live and breathe it! If it moves, we bet. We’d say we’re right up there with the biggest betting fanatics in the world,

but do you know who loves gambling more than us?

The Chinese.

And they’re about to get a new playground right on their doorstep!

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

❓DERBY DILEMA

Just ANOTHER media day at Ballydoyle yesterday (what’s that, their fourth of the season!?) and Aidan says the pecking order within Ballydoyle’s Derby squad is still far from settled, with several main market leaders under consideration for either the Epsom Derby or France’s own Prix du Jockey Club.

At this stage, BENVENUTO CELLINI and PIERRE BONNARD appear the most likely runners for the Betfred Derby, while CONSTITUTION RIVER could instead head to France over a shorter trip.

CONSTITUTION RIVER impressed amidst Aidan’s Chester pillage, with his wide-margin success showcasing both his speed and class. O’Brien suggested he may ultimately prove best suited to a mile and a quarter, although he believes the colt could still stay the Derby distance if ridden patiently. If there is any doubt over his stamina then surely he just goes to France!?

BENVENUTO CELLINI only enhanced his Derby claims with a dominant Chester Vase victory, whereas PIERRE BONNARD got beat at Leopardstown last week. That said big PB is expected to improve significantly for the step up in trip as the colt is still developing physically and capable of taking a major step forward over middle distances later this spring.

Additional contenders, including MONTREAL, HAWK MOUNTAIN, ACTION and CHRISTMAS DAY, could yet enter the picture depending on upcoming trial performances. CHRISTMAS DAY did a good big of work Friday and is currenty fave for the Dante.

🏖️BEACH ATTACK!

This is a wild story. And awful too.

There’s a strong chance we won’t see LADY OF CAMELOT on the track down under anymore, and definitely not Royal Ascot this year after getting Steve Irwin’d in the sea!

A completely bizarre stingray attack has ruled her out of both the Brisbane Winter Carnival and a planned trip to Royal Ascot. Well, we say bizarre but she was paddling in the sea and it is Australia… The Group 1-winning mare had been preparing for Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 before sustaining wounds to her foreleg during an incident at a Brisbane beach. Classic Australia.

Owned by Sir Owen Glenn and trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, LADY OF CAMELOT had been expected to target both the King Charles III Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes next month. However, connections confirmed all immediate racing plans have now been abandoned while the mare receives urgent specialist veterinary care.

A future decision on her racing career has yet to be made, although her strong pedigree and previous Group 1 success make her an extremely valuable broodmare prospect. LADY OF CAMELOT remains best known for her victory in Australia’s prestigious Golden Slipper and had continued to compete consistently at elite sprint level in recent seasons.

🐎HEAVY INVESTING

Hong Kong racing is preparing to enter a new era with the launch of a state-of-the-art racecourse at Conghua Racecourse, which will stage its first official meetings during the 2026-27 season.

Nearly five decades after the opening of Sha Tin Racecourse transformed racing in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club now hopes Conghua can help introduce the sport the gamblers next door… the Chinese! God, they love to gamble.

Built across 150 hectares near Guangzhou, the billion-dollar facility includes multiple training tracks, over 1,000 stables, veterinary facilities and luxury visitor amenities.

Gambling is of course illegal in China but it doesn’t stop them, they love it, so while HKJC officials are positioning the venue as a boutique sporting and tourism destination, the club is investing heavily in technology, including new betting platforms and customisable wagering options, while continuing to expand the reach of initiatives such as World Pool - that means we’ll be able to bet in that beautifully deep liquidity through the Tote app!

The venue could also provide a future stage for Hong Kong superstar KA YING RISING, whose remarkable winning streak and popularity continue to drive record betting turnover at Sha Tin. Connections are reportedly considering targeting Conghua’s Jockey Club Sprint later this year, a move that would provide the new venue with an immediate headline attraction as Hong Kong racing looks to expand its influence beyond its traditional borders.

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