After being unable to host owners since 12 January as we operated in closed-door mode due to the deteriorating conditions caused by the fifth wave of COVID, we were delighted to receive an exemption from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government to allow owners with starters to again attend race meetings, starting with FWD Champions Day on 24 April.
We are also grateful that owner visits to stables and attendance at barrier trials will also be restored. The Club acknowledges that closed-door meetings have compromised owners’ experiences and, as a way of expressing our gratitude for their patience and understanding, the Club has decided that every owner will receive a 30 percent discount on basic livery and transportation costs for the period of 1 January, 2022 to 30 April, 2022.
The Club wants to demonstrate its appreciation in this way to owners by reducing the not insignificant costs of keeping a horse in training at a time when they did not have the opportunity to go racing. We also remain thankful to the HKSAR Government for giving us permission to continue racing behind closed doors at a time of a significant increased COVID risk as a symbol of the resilience of Hong Kong.
I hope that we can soon welcome back Club members and members of the public when it is prudent to do so in accordance with HKSAR health and safety regulations.
Cross-border horse movement between Hong Kong and Conghua has been suspended for the past four weeks because of COVID, but I am optimistic of a resumption of the service very soon. This would mean the five runners entered for FWD Champions Day – Lucky Patch, Mighty Giant, Zebrowski, Columbus County and Reliable Team – should not be impeded in returning to Sha Tin.
Last Sunday’s meeting delivered another career highlight for Joao Moreira as he hit 100 winners in a season for the seventh time in nine seasons in Hong Kong – which is a remarkable performance – to lead Zac Purton 100-99 in the jockeys’ championship.
With a full book of nine rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, Zac will press to join Joao in three figures as their battle continues, while Frankie Lor will look to keep in touch with John Size, who leads the trainers’ championship 63-61.
The final race of the night at Happy Valley tonight is the Class 3 Bowrington Handicap over 1200 metres with Armour Eagle and Joyful Win expected to roll forward and set a good pace. Jockey Joao Moreira will need to make an early decision on last-start winner Eason from the outside gate. He may use his gate speed to try and cross over to make the running or to slot in to a two-wide position behind the leaders.
Armour Eagle disappointed in his last start four weeks ago but had substantial mucus when contesting a fast pace. He will get a soft run here with Alexis Badel from his good draw, similar to his success two starts ago in this class and distance. He is a win and place chance here in a very competitive race.
Eason came home with a big closing sectional of 22.13s in winning his last start when allowed to relax behind a slow middle section. The outside barrier draw makes this assignment a bit tricky but he is very consistent, having finished first or second in each of his five starts. I make him a place chance.
Toronado Phantom will make his run from worse than midfield with Vagner Borges and is a place chance in his current form. Stock Legend will get a similar run under Zac Purton and is also a place chance from the inside draw.
Gluck Racer has not raced or barrier trialled in nearly six months and suffered a December bleeding incident in trackwork. He has a good first-up record and is another interesting runner with Harry Bentley named to ride.
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