The appearance of two Hong Kong’s champions – GOLDEN SIXTY and ROMANTIC WARRIOR – in Sha Tin trials on Tuesday morning (28 November) and the imminent arrival of a cluster of Japanese stars signals the start of final preparations for the much-anticipated LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) next week.
GOLDEN SIXTY’S racetrack presence, whether in race mode, trials or trackwork, is always sufficient to set Hong Kong’s pulse running and, given his recent W.S. Cox Plate heroics, ROMANTIC WARRIOR’s appearance under James McDonald galvanised the interest of many media observers yesterday.
With safe arrival over the past week of SHAHRYAR and WEST WIND BLOWS, the impressive trial displays of GOLDEN SIXTY and ROMANTIC WARRIOR and the scheduled arrival tonight (29 November) of DANON THE KID, DIVINA, GERALDINA, JASPER KRONE, MAD COOL, NAMUR, PROGNOSIS, SERIFOS, SOUL RUSH and ZEFFIRO, the sense of anticipation around LONGINES HKIR on 10 December is palpable.
By the end of this week, all the visiting LONGINES HKIR horses are expected to be safely in residence at Sha Tin and, as Hong Kong’s best prepare for the four prestigious LONGINES Group 1 contests, interest levels will peak and spread across the globe with the arrival of media representatives from all over the world.
James McDonald started his five-week stint in great style last Sunday (26 November) with a double on WUNDERBAR and THE GOLDEN SCENERY and after speaking with him at trackwork, his enthusiasm and affection for ROMANTIC WARRIOR is infectious.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR has already created history this preparation for Mr Peter Lau and Danny Shum by winning Australia’s greatest weight-for-age race and, based on his trial yesterday, it appears he has come out of his trip away in good order.
As the winner of last year’s LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), ROMANTIC WARRIOR faces another significant challenge next week, but he this time has the advantage of competing on home turf.
Hong Kong racing continues at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, when the last race on the card is the Eilean Castle Handicap, which is carded as Race 8 at 10.50pm for Class Two horses over 1200m with prizemoney of $2,840,000.
The speed in the race will be good with a number of runners with race patterns that have them in the leading division. MAJESTIC KNIGHT has drawn gate two and should have enough early speed to find the lead with WONDER KIT and BUNDLE OF CHARM also landing on pace. HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE also races handy and should be able to hold a forward position from his rails draw.
SEASONS WIT is chasing five wins in a row. He could hardly have been more impressive when ridden hard early to settle third and then came off the leaders’ heels in the straight to win by a big margin from REWARD SMILE over 1000m on 29 October. SEASONS WIT is extending to 1200m for the first time here in Hong Kong and despite drawing widest and going up in weight from his last start, is a place chance for Zac Purton.
HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE had a stand-out debut season, winning four times over this course and distance. He was sent to Conghua after his last run on 3 July, where he had a seven-week break before returning. He has trialled twice in preparation for his return to racing and looked in good form in his latest last week. Brenton Avdulla was aboard in the trial and now rides him for the first time in a race. HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE should settle close to the speed from his rails draw and with clear running in the straight is my win and place selection.
SON PAK FU posted his fifth win at this course and distance three weeks ago when he closed late to just beat BUNDLE OF CHARM in the last few strides, after settling at the back of the field early and motoring down the centre of the course. Jerry Chau has ridden SON PAK FAU throughout his career and his is a place chance in a very strong field.
WONDER KIT has been consistent at his last six runs over this course and distance. Lyle Hewitson had him outside the leader at his latest run when he fought on gamely to defeat TOMODACHI KOKOROE two weeks ago. WONDER KIT goes up in class, but will settle outside the leader again from gate four and is a place chance.
This is an outstanding race to close the night with horses such as MAJESTIC KNIGHT, NORDIC DRAGON and BUNDLE OF CHARM very much in contention.
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