It is difficult to recall a more compelling weekend on horseracing’s world stage than last Saturday and Sunday when the herculean feats of ROMANTIC WARRIOR in winning the G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) in Melbourne and EQUINOX’s record-breaking victory in the G1 Tenno Sho (2000m) in Tokyo served to remind us how important international horseracing is.
With just over five weeks until the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR), two extraordinary performances on two different continents arrived as entrees as to what we might expect at Sha Tin on 10 December.
As has been widely canvassed, ROMANTIC WARRIOR successfully overcame a string of challenges after missing a vital trial, enduring feed issues, settling into a new environment and ultimately downing seasoned Group 1 opponents – including seven rivals, including runner-up MR BRIGHTSIDE, who have been nominated for LONGINES HKIR – on a unique track he had never raced on previously.
His accomplishment has been roundly celebrated from his birthplace in Ireland to Hong Kong, where he was purchased an untried three-year-old at the Hong Kong International Sale before advancing to status as an elite stayer and finally in Australia, where the respect for his victory on Saturday has been unanimous.
Given the significance of ROMANTIC WARRIOR’S achievement for Danny Shum and James McDonald, which again underlined Hong Kong’s ability to punch above its weight internationally with only 0.7 percent of the world’s horseracing population, it is also remarkable to consider the stunning performance EQUINOX – even as the world’s top-rated horse in the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings – only a day later in Tokyo.
EQUINOX has attracted virtually every superlative in racing’s lexicon of praise, but his effort to win the Tenno Sho (Autumn) in 1min 55.02s – a new track record – confirmed the four-year-old’s rating as the world’s best horse.
While Tetsuya Kimura’s champion is not entered for LONGINES HKIR, several other outstanding Japanese horses who finished behind EQUINOX on Sunday (29 October) are among the nominations for Sha Tin at our showpiece meeting next month.
Of the nine Tenno Sho combatants entered for LONGINES HKIR, JUSTIN PALACE was an eye-catching second, PROGNOSIS, who finished second to ROMANTIC WARRIOR in the G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) last April, was a solid third, while DANON BELUGA (fourth) and GAIA FORCE (fifth) are all among the LONGINES HKIR entries.
While there are many variables in racing, last weekend’s results certainly bode well for our flagship meeting next month and it will be fascinating to monitor the various formlines over the next few weeks.
Our world-famous Happy Valley Beer Garden launches the “Race In Style” theme on Wednesday night (1 November) with a series of events which will bring extra style and glamour as Happy Valley is transformed into a chic fashion hub where patrons can walk the “runway” and show off their latest looks.
Eye-catching and stylish installations will create the perfect backdrop for photos so guests can channel their inner supermodel for the evening. Guests are also invited to dress to impress and show of their catwalk worthy looks for a chance to selected as the coveted “HW Fashionista” each week and enjoy exclusive offerings.
On the track at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Class 3 Fife Handicap is run over 1650m as race eight at 10.15pm. The pace is expected to be strong with OUTGATE going forward from gate six to lead. RED MAJESTY has good early speed and should be in the leading division with MAJESTIC COLOUR, TOURBILLON PRINCE and CHRYSOS going forward from their wide gates.
OUTGATE scored his first win in Hong Kong when he jumped well from his rails draw and fought on strongly in the straight to beat Thesis and Romantic Laos over this course and distance two weeks ago. Claiming apprentice Angus Chung retains the ride for trainer Tony Cruz and OUTGATE is a win and place chance.
IVY LEAGUE also opened his winning account here when he made a run prior to the home turn and was able to beat TOURBILLON PRINCE in the closing stages over this course and distance on 11 October. Keagan de Melo should have IVY LEAGUE midfield from his rails draw and is a place chance.
SILVER SONIC resumed in good form when runner-up to Romantic Laos on 4 October. He then went back from a wide gate and failed to make any impression in the race won by OUTGATE two weeks later. Regular rider Harry Bentley reported he failed to handle the going that night. SILVER SONIC has drawn well in gate four and can make significant improvement here and is a place chance.
ALL BEAUTY was a winner over this course and distance last season and made good ground in the straight for third behind IVY LEAGUE on 11 October when making his seasonal debut. Zac Purton rides ALL BEAUTY for the first time in more than two years but at his two previous rides finished first and second on him. ALL BEAUTY is a place chance.
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