There was a wonderful atmosphere at Sha Tin last Sunday (15 October) with the appearance of singer Ian Chan, who entertained the crowd during the ‘Gentlemen’s Bow Tie Raceday’ festivities. Racing must engage with younger audiences to flourish and it was great to see so many of Ian’s fans staying to learn about our world-class horseracing, which they thoroughly enjoyed, while also participating in the many off-track activities on offer at Sha Tin.
History shows winning a Group race in Hong Kong is a great accomplishment, which makes CALIFORNIA SPANGLE’s effort to win successive G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicaps even more impressive.
Having won the first Group 2 of the season in 2022-23 with 133lb under Zac Purton, CALIFORNIA SPANGLE repeated with 135lb at Sha Tin on Sunday – this time under Hugh Bowman, whose clinical display was a tactical masterclass.
CALIFORNIA SPANGLE revelled in the leisurely early tempo under Hugh, clocking a relatively sedate 48.54s for the first 800m before CALIFORNIA SPANGLE steadily accelerated through the closing 800m in 45.64s with a final 200m dash of 11.56s, a sectional bettered only by runner-up ENCOUNTERED (11.46s) and sixth-placed Senor Toba (11.53s).
The margin at the finish was half a length, but the result was never in doubt largely because of Hugh’s precision and the trademark conditioning of CALIFORNIA SPANGLE’s trainer Tony Cruz, who is plotting a defence of the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 10 December with his stable champion.
Now rated 130 in the handicap – equal with ROMANTIC WARRIOR – and only one point below GOLDEN SIXTY and LUCKY SWEYNESSE (both 131), CALIFORNIA SPANGLE has returned in excellent condition after matching BEAUTY GENERATION’S consecutive G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap wins in 2017 and 2018 and Tony and Hugh can look forward with confidence.
The excellent win of CALIFORNIA SPANGLE and the good trial of GOLDEN SIXTY on Tuesday morning (17 October) ahead of the pair’s potential clash in the BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 19 November point directly to the imminent staging of our flagship international meeting, LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (LONGINES HKIR) on 10 December.
With entries due to close for LONGINES HKIR next Monday (23 October), it has been encouraging to hear the positive comments made by a number of overseas connections regarding their plans to participate in the showpiece meeting where the four Group 1s – LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and LONGINES Hong Kong Vase – carry a record combined purse of HK$118 million.
It is especially encouraging that the connections of G1 Prix de d’Abbaye de Longchamp winner HIGHFIELD PRINCESS have outlined plans to bring their star mare to Hong Kong for the LONGINES SPRINT at the showpiece meeting which showcases the importance of global racing.
At Happy Valley tonight, we celebrate the seventh edition of the LONGINES Night Races as a kick-off event for LONGINES HKIR. The LONGINES Cup Handicap is run at 8.45pm over 1200m and the pace should be good to slow.
ROUND THE GLOBE, for Alexis Badel, led and was narrowly beaten first-up over this course and distance and he is my choice as a win and a place from ACT OF FAITH, for Brenton Avdulla, and KARASI FARASI for Alfred Chan, who are both place chances.
The Oktoberfest theme continues at Happy Valley tonight, when our Beer Garden is again transformed with German music, dancing, food and beer in the traditions of the world-famous Bavarian celebrations while attendees can also watch fantastic racing at close quarters.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Racing Spirit Handicap is carded as Race 7 at 9.45pm for Class 3 horses over 1650m and carries prizemoney of HK$2,050,000.
The pace will be good with OUTGATE likely to be able to hold the lead from his rails draw. VIVA HUNTER was slow to leave the gates last start but mustered pace to lead and will be in the leading division as well. ESCAPE ROUTE and RED MAJESTY will also be prominent.
ROMANTIC LAOS gave new trainer Cody Mo his first winner when he resumed two weeks ago. Zac Purton settled him fifth, one off the fence and he sprinted quickly in the straight to score with something in hand from SILVER SONIC. ROMANTIC LAOS has drawn barrier two and will get the run of the race with Zac aboard again and is my win and place selection.
SILVER SONIC was a winner over 1400m at Sha Tin at the end of last season and was good in defeat when he settled on the fence and stayed on to beat all but ROMANTIC LAOS over this course and distance two weeks ago. Barrier 11 makes things harder for Harry Bentley but SILVER SONIC is a place chance again.
OUTGATE went forward to lead over 1400m at his last start at Sha Tin on 1 October. He was no match for the winner BLUE MARLIN but comfortably held the rest of the field to take second. OUTGATE should lead again from his rails draw and is a place chance for Angus Chung.
VIVA HUNTER stayed on to finish fifth to RISING FROM ASHES over this course and distance on 20 September. Hugh Bowman takes the ride for the first time and should have VIVA HUNTER on the pace from gate five and he is a place chance.
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