Winning away from home is widely accepted to be the most difficult of challenges, regardless of sport. Similarly in horseracing, succeeding on the road is the ultimate test of horse, trainer and jockey.
Not all horses are suited to competing abroad but last weekend, Hong Kong’s Champion Stayer Russian Emperor overcame the tyranny of travel, changes in environment and top-class opposition to provide trainer Douglas Whyte, owner Mike Cheung and jockey Alberto Sanna with a thrilling victory in the G1 H.H. The Amir Trophy (2400m) in Doha, Qatar.
In doing so, he added another chapter to a remarkable story. Regally bred by champion Irish sire Galileo out of top Australian mare Atlantic Jewel, Russian Emperor had always seemed destined for elite success when first trained by Aidan O’Brien.
With three wins at G1 level included among his five victories, Russian Emperor now has the rare distinction of winning in four different countries – Ireland, England, Hong Kong and Qatar.
Being able to win overseas in foreign conditions is never easy and I congratulate Douglas and his team on the latest success and wish them all the best for the future and the focus returns to world-class competition this Sunday (26 February) at Sha Tin with the clash of Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).
As BMW Hong Kong Derby winners, both Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior have shown their prowess at 2000 metres at Sha Tin and it will be fascinating to watch their latest encounter unfold this weekend when we also have the chance to further assess this season’s Classic generation in the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
As we forge deeper into the second half of the 2022/23 Hong Kong season, the destiny of the trainers’ championship is still uncertain with only seven wins separating the top six trainers after 46 of 88 meetings.
11-time champion John Size (36) leads the way from reigning champion Frankie Lor (33), Ricky Yiu (31), Danny Shum (30), Francis Lui (30) and Tony Cruz (29) and with so much to play for over the next five months, it shapes as a fascinating contest which could stretch to the very end of the season.
One of the highlights of last week’s Asian Racing Conference was the opportunity to attend Flemington racecourse to watch the G1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m). While the world’s highest-rated sprinter Nature Strip was defeated by Coolangatta, the World Pool turnover on the meeting of HK$296 million was extremely pleasing, especially since this was the first time World Pool had operated on an Australian meeting.
Coolangatta was given a brilliant ride by Jamie Kah, who returns to Hong Kong this Sunday to partner Hong Kong Classic Mile winner Voyage Bubble for Ricky Yiu.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Luard Handicap is carded as Race 8 at 10.15pm for Class 3 horses over 1650m with prizemoney of $1,900,000.
The pace in the race should be good with Red Majesty, who has drawn gate three, and All Riches from gate ten, both likely to push forward in an attempt to lead. Trader also led at his last start and he should be in the leading division with Gallant Crown handy to the speed from gate six.
The strong tempo in the early part of the race should allow Zac Purton to take up a stalking position with E Legend from his inside draw, as he did last start when taking the lead before the turn to sprint away for an impressive win on 1 February. E Legend rises in class here but, with the run of the race, I make him a win and place chance.
Solar Winds steps to the 1650m trip for the first time, but he stayed on well in the straight to beat all but the exciting Beauty Eternal over 1400m at Sha Tin on 12 February. He has drawn the rails and if Hugh Bowman can find clear running early enough in the straight, he is a place chance.
Meaningful Star is an interesting runner having his first start since winning this race last year. Trainer Francis Lui has patiently brought him back from injury and he looked good in a trial here on 28 January. I wish his owners all the best with him and make him a place chance with Vincent Ho riding.
Hava Nageela was not suited by the slow early pace at his last run when eighth to Escape Route when beaten two lengths. His previous runs indicated he was not far from winning form and with genuine pace in this race Hava Nageela is a place chance along with Silver Hammer, who also showed he was close to his best form when fourth behind Gorytus over this course and distance two weeks ago.
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