Matthew Chadwick has been regarded as one of Hong Kong’s most accomplished horsemen for more than a decade and, if not for injury, his career achievements would have been even more imposing.
Matthew has always shown impressive resilience, his career tally of 504 Hong Kong wins would have been far higher. Given Matthew’s injury travails, there is a certain irony to his replacement of Vincent Ho in the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday night.
It is most unfortunate that Vincent suffered significant injuries in a race fall in Japan and therefore could not take his place in the Shergar Cup’s Rest of the World team alongside Brazil’s Joao Moreira and Japan’s Kazuo Yokoyama.
Matthew, however, has a wonderful opportunity to showcase the skills which saw him win the 2021/22 Tony Cruz Award and also the Silver Saddle at the 2012 Shergar Cup. I am sure Vincent – whom the Club continues to support in every possible way – will be hoping Matthew can excel at Ascot.
The Club’s World Pool and simulcast operation will focus on Grosser Preis Von Berlin Day at Hoppegarten in Germany and Prix Jacques le Marois Day from Deauville in France on Sunday.
The G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin (2400m) has been won by some champion horses during its rich history and its recent honour roll includes Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners Danedream and Torquator Tasso.
This year’s race will be run at 8.03pm and is carded as S1-6 with seven horses to face the starter, including two German Derby winners – Sammarco and Sisfahan. While neither is yet to win this year, both are expected to strongly contend.
Much of the focus in the lead-up has been on Andreas Wohler’s Lady Ewelina, who won her first three starts before refusing to load in the barriers in the G1 German Oaks last weekend at Dusseldorf. She is a place chance.
Charlie Appleby and James Doyle combine with New London as they attempt to repeat last season’s success in this race which they won with Rebel’s Romance. Placed in last year’s G1 St Leger Stakes at Doncaster, New London is a place selection.
Simca Mille, who is trained by Stephane Wattel, shapes as the horse to beat as the highest-rated runner in the race and with recent victory in the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly (2400m). He comes to the race in great form and is my win and place selection.
The second of Sunday’s Group 1 contests comes from Deauville with the jewel of the seaside course’s summer festival – the Prix Jacques le Marois, which is run over 1600m.
Deauville’s other features include the G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club, the annual reciprocal race in recognition of the long-standing relationship between the two racing authorities in France and Hong Kong. Club Chairman Michael Lee will attend the prestigious meeting as presentation guest for the G3 HKJC trophy event. Unfortunately, I can’t attend this year’s Deauville Meeting because I am already on my way back to Hong Kong. I wish all the best to the horse connections and hope you enjoy Sunday’s simulcast races.
Looking at this year’s Prix Jacques le Marois, which is programmed as S2-4 at 10.26pm, this season’s feature has attracted 11 runners headed by Inspiral, Triple Time and Big Rock.
British and Irish horses have an imposing recent record in the race, having won seven of the past 10 editions. John & Thady Gosden have dominated in tandem with Frankie Dettori, winning the last three stagings of the race.
Inspiral, who won this race last year, was disappointing when last of five in the G1 Sussex Stakes behind Paddington at Glorious Goodwood where she struggled on soft ground. She is capable of contending on her best form and is a place chance.
Triple Time produced a career best when defeating Inspiral in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and continues to make impressive progressive for Kevin Ryan. Neil Callan takes the ride from stall 10 and I make this talented four-year-old a place chance.
Big Rock has thrived since joining Christopher Head’s stable with his only defeat in five starts coming with a runner-up placing in the French Derby. Effective on all types of ground, the three-year-old rises to Group 1 level against older horses for the first time. To be ridden by Aurelien Lemaitre, I make him a win and place chance.
Light Infantry has not won since October, 2021 but has been consistent at Group 1 level and is again a place chance along with Hi Royal, Erevann, Good Guess, Marhaba Ya Sanafi, Onesto and Angers.
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