With only two weeks to FWD Champions Day, this Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin shapes as another highlight of the 2021/22 season as the latest chapter in Joao Moreira and Zac Purton’s enduring rivalry plays out.
It is possible both jockeys could hit the 100-win milestone on Sunday, a potential outcome which would underline the intensity of a gripping battle which has again fluctuated this season with changes in lead because of either form, injury or suspension.
Zac and Joao have shared the past eight Hong Kong jockeys’ championships and, after 60 of 88 meetings, they are locked on 98 wins each. Zac holds the slimmest possible lead with more outright wins with his tally containing one dead-heat, compared to Joao’s two.
Joao won all four of his championships in 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2020/21 after beating Zac to the century mark in each of those seasons, speeding to 100 in just 48 meetings in 2016/17 en route to a Hong Kong record of 170 wins in a single season.
Zac has raced Joao to three figures only twice over the past eight seasons – in 2013/14 and 2018/19 – but overcame sizeable deficits to claim the championship in 2017/18 and 2019/20.
This season’s battle is the closest since 2017/18 when Zac famously sealed the title on the final day of the season – 136-134 – after trailing Joao by 15 wins in April.
With the jockeys’ championship virtually tied, the trainers’ title is similarly tight with Frankie Lor and John Size squared on 61 wins. Frankie leads by virtue of John having a dead-heat among his haul.
Regardless of who ultimately prevails, there is much to look forward to over the coming months before the 16 July finale, none more so than the three Group 1s on FWD Champions Day on 24 April.
The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the highlight of our Saturday simulcast day from Randwick Racecourse and will be run as the fifth of seven races at 1.55pm. The 2000 metre test will be run over a rain-affected course.
Anamoe is the only three-year-old in the field and gets eight pounds from his older male rivals, with Tommy Berry named to ride. He is a very consistent colt and has performed well on wet tracks in the past, including a recent win the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas last month. There has been some concern regarding a slightly elevated temperature last week and slight abnormalities with his blood profile. He has not missed any work as a consequence and trainer James Cummings reports that his star horse is ready to run. I make him a win and place chance.
Zaaki is also coming off a Group 1 win last month and will be ridden by Jamie Kah. He is a place chance along with the talented mare Verry Elleegant and jockey James McDonald. Duais comes into the race as a vastly-improved filly and will do her running from the back with Joshua Parr as a place chance.
Moving to Sunday at Sha Tin, the finale is the Class 2 Mui Wo Handicap over 1400 metres with Hinchinlove and Good Luck Friend likely to join together to set a good pace.
Captain Win has failed to finish the job when looking like a winner in two of his past three races but gets another opportunity here with new jockey Alexis Badel. He is well drawn to get a nice run from midfield with some of the more fancied runners drawn wide. I make him a win and place chance to cash in on the $1 million High Achievement Bonus.
Good Luck Friend steps back up in trip and will not have to go overly hard to make the running on the C course. He figures to be in front turning into the straight with Joao Moreira and is a place chance on the strength of his good effort two starts back over the course and distance.
Navas Two will go back from his wide draw and will be making ground late under regular rider Ruan Maia as a place chance, along with last-start winner Winning Method and in-form jockey Matthew Chadwick.
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