Since its inception in 2019, the World Pool has continued to flourish and last weekend’s running of the Oaks and Derby at Epsom underlined its growing popularity with record-breaking turnover on both Classics.
Before Desert Crown’s stunning Derby victory on Saturday, record turnover for a single World Pool race was in last year’s Epsom Derby at HK$65.6 million. That figure had already been surpassed on Friday night with turnover of HK$67.1 million on the Oaks as Tuesday and Emily Upjohn fought out a thrilling finish.
Then, just 24 hours later, the record again fell when the 2022 Derby attracted HK$73.3 million with customers around the world betting into the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s (HKJC) pari-mutuel pools, which create greater liquidity, stability and smaller fluctuations in odds.
Overall turnover on the Derby meeting rose from HK$304 million in 2021 to HK$318.6 million this year, while the first time World Pool hosting of the Oaks delivered HK$316 million in turnover.
The addition of the Exacta and Treble as part of World Pool bet types offered, the participation of PMU France for the first time, coupled with larger on-course attendance boosted growth as we await next week’s famous Royal Ascot meeting, where the World Pool will again operate.
The HKJC will simulcast 35 races across all five days of Royal Ascot from Tuesday (14 June), including eight Group 1 contests starting with the G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) and culminating with the G1 Platinum Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on Saturday (18 June), which commemorates Queen Elizabeth’s 70-year reign.
Along with some of the runners involved in Sunday’s G1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) brilliantly won by Songline, we are hopeful horses such as Tuesday and Emily Upjohn will be considered for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December.
Locally, last Sunday’s (5 June) meeting at Sha Tin produced some excellent performances, including that of Manfred Man’s three-year-old Lucky Sweynesse to win at Class 2 – and claim a HK$1 million High Achievement Bonus in the process while rising to a rating of 87 after starting the season at 52.
The Apprentice Jockeys’ School 50th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1200m) saw Douglas Whyte and Ruan Maia combine successfully with Ace One, while one of the more impressive performances of the day came from lightly-raced Tuchel, who is also only three, for John Size and Joao Moreira.
With only 11 meetings left before the end of the season, the battles for the trainers’ and jockeys’ championship are on-going with Frankie Lor nursing a 79-78 lead over John, while Joao holds a 123-118 buffer over Zac Purton.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Class 2 Bellflower Handicap over 1800 metres is carded as the third race and the pace will be only good to slow within a select field of seven runners. Soulmate is the clear leader with Lyle Hewitson returning from suspension to take the ride. This is his first try at this trip after a sharp try when he pressed a slow pace and delivered a good closing sectional over 1650m. He is a win and place chance.
Money Catcher and Beluga will both be forwardly placed in a race that sets up as a sit and sprint. Beluga has performed well in his limited opportunities at Happy Valley, including a sharp effort over the course and distance in December. He is a place chance under Zac Purton.
Gorytus is a two-time winner at Happy Valley this season and will appreciate the step up in trip. He will do his running from the back under Alexis Badel and is also a place chance.
The track conditions tonight with the expectation of rain and the potential of yielding conditions can have a significant impact on the outcome with horses such as Savaquin, Money Catcher and Soulmate all having shown good form over yielding ground in their home countries.
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