VIERI CHAN – A GOOD ARTIST, YES ... BUT CAN HE PICK A WINNER? THAT IS THE QUESTION!

By Darren Winningham | Sunday, April 30, 2023

I arrived at Sha Tin racecourse on Sunday for the FWD Champion’s Day 2023.

It has only been a short four months since I was last here.

I met up with my wonderful, smiling friend Vieri Chan – as usual he was trackside and ready for a massive day.

He presented WINNO with a t-shirt with a hand painted sketch of the Hong Kong champion on it.

I did not have much prepared – but I did bring some Australian Tim Tams to which Vieri smiled and said, “I am already fat.”

I provided him with a pink Magic Millions cap for his wife and a blue one for him.

The fun then begins. WINNO declares the winners of the Group 1 races as:

The Sprint - Lucky Sweynesse to be ridden by Zac Purton

The Mile - Golden Sixty to be ridden by Vincent Ho

The QEII Cup – Dubai Honour to be ridden by Tom Marquand

To which Vieri scoffs and shows me his prepared portraits of who he thinks will win.

We disagree on only one, the QEII Cup – Vieri thinks the local champion will win – Romantic Warrior ridden by James McDonald.

The bet is on – who is the better tipster!

We get to the big race – the QEII Cup – I remind the locals that the Great Britain runner will win and halt the Hong Kong dominance of the feature races – they all jeer and thumbs down!

The race is on – the locals go wild – the noise if deafening – Romantic Warrior hits the front and slays the international field.

So, there it is punters, Vieri Chan is the champion tipster – FOR NOW!

I salute you Vieri Chan – you are an inspiration to Horse Racing community in Hong Kong.

I will be back!

Until then my friend remain safe and continue doing what you do – good health to you and your family until we meet again.

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