Driven by a string of towering performances, an incredible 2023 FWD Champions Day will live long in the annals of Hong Kong racing as we absorb the significance of last Sunday’s stunning achievements.
Firstly, I wish to thank the 54,000 people – including many first-time racegoers – who attended the meeting and helped create such a fantastic atmosphere by staying after the Variety Show to enjoy the racetrack spectacle.
I also congratulate our Club staff for their superb management in not only planning the day with its different dynamics and challenges, but also executing their tasks so professionally to help make Sunday such an outstanding success.
I was delighted that we were able to accommodate overseas horses, trainers, jockeys and owners at a meeting which marked Hong Kong’s full return to the world stage and I am grateful for the support of our friends from Great Britain, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
FWD Champions Day enhanced Hong Kong’s standing as a leader in world racing, not least because of the feats of our trio of equine titans – the incomparable Golden Sixty, Lucky Sweynesse and Romantic Warrior.
History and Golden Sixty have long been in perfect lockstep and, on an unforgettable Sunday, Hong Kong’s hero surpassed Australia’s wonderful champion Winx as the leading prize money earner of all-time – based on exchange rates – by taking his winnings to HK$147,930,600, eclipsing Winx’s AU$26,451,174, which equates to HK$137,530,690.
With his 25th win from 29 starts, Francis Lui’s flagbearer posted a Hong Kong record ninth Group 1 victory – one more than Beauty Generation – and became the first horse to win the G1 FWD Champion Mile (1600m) three times and there is no obvious sign this remarkable horse is waning.
Francis has been pivotal to Golden Sixty’s success with disciplined management, while Vincent has matured and grown with the horse to himself be a top-class sportsman. He has been able to overcome criticism and excel, which is a tremendous example of his resilience.
Lucky Sweynesse’s devastating turn of foot to win the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) was another demonstration of his superiority. In my opinion, he is the best sprinter in the world and one of the best sprinters ever in Hong Kong. Manfred Man has done a great job with Lucky Sweynesse, who has won at Group 1 level three times this season, and I’m sure Zac Purton is excited to continue his association with the horse into next season and beyond.
Last but by no means least, I think Romantic Warrior proved he is absolutely a dominant force over 2000m with his second win in the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) for Danny Shum and James McDonald.
The way he accelerated showed his quality and we are naturally proud of the fact that Romantic Warrior was selected by Michael Kinane as a service to our owners and was then sold through the Hong Kong International Sale. Romantic Warrior is now a three-time Group 1 winner and also a BMW Hong Kong Derby winner, with 10 victories from only 13 starts.
Collectively, I believe Hong Kong currently has the world’s best sprinter, miler and 2000m horse based on recent performances and ratings. It must not be forgotten we have only 1,250 horses in Hong Kong and we are extremely fortunate to have these champions helping us to strive for excellence.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Selkirk Handicap is carded as Race 8 for Class 3 horses over 1650m at 10.15pm with prizemoney of HK$1.9 million.
The pace in the race will be good with Red Majesty likely to find the front from gate six and Winning Dragon also pressing forward from his outside draw. Top Top Tea should find the leader’s back from gate two with Helene Feeling on speed and one off the fence from gate eight.
Maldives has been a remarkable model of consistency. He was a winner at his last run of the season in 2021 and since has had 23 career starts, finishing in the top six on 19 occasions. He has been runner-up at his last two starts and at his latest landed fifth on the fence and ran on to beat all but Rattan Kingdom on 12 April. Maldives has a good draw in gate five and is a place chance for Alexis Badel.
Zone D was in the same race behind Rattan Kingdom and Maldives, getting back in the field and running on late out wide on the track to finish a close fourth. At his previous run, Zone D drew the rails and got home strongly late to beat Meaningful Star and Star Contact. Zone D should get an economical run with Hugh Bowman from gate one and is a place chance.
Helene Feeling has impressed in his two starts here for Danny Shum and Zac Purton and was impressive when he crossed to the rails before coming one off the fence to narrowly beat Rocket Spade at this course and distance on 6 April. Helene Feeling should be further improved from that run and is a win and place chance.
There are a number of runners with claims in what is a very competitive contest. Loyal Baby, Packing Succeeder and Villa Fionn are all racing well as is Top Top Tea who has a perfect draw and will get a good run behind the leaders. Top Top Tea is a place chance.
I would also like to wish Brenton Avdulla the best of luck as he starts his Hong Kong stint tonight.
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