Chinese New Year Raceday is always one of the most auspicious occasions on the Hong Kong racing calendar and on Monday (12 February) we were treated to a wonderful day’s racing with a fantastic atmosphere.
We hosted the largest attendance since 2019 with 81,049 people at Sha Tin – including an estimated 4,000 from the Mainland – and a further 6,681 at Happy Valley participating in the traditional celebrations of one of our most important days.
The enthusiastic crowd contributed to a vibrant atmosphere and is a tremendous reminder of the importance and attraction of horse racing, while the colourful and energetic pre-race entertainment was extremely well received and set the scene for a quality card of racing.
John Size took training honours with a double through RED LION in the Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup Handicap (1400m) and HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE in the Class 2 Yue Yee Handicap (1200m), while Tony Cruz might have uncovered another BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) contender with CALIFORNIA VOCE in the Class 3 Red Packet Handicap (1600m).
HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE was particularly impressive carrying 132lb for Brenton Avdulla, while clocking the fastest final sectional of the day of 22.09s against strong opposition over 1200m. Last season’s Hong Kong Champion Griffin, HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE has risen to a mark of 104 to now be Hong Kong’s highest-rated four-year-old.
His effort to rebound from finishing eighth behind HELIOS EXPRESS (rated 102) in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – where the circumstances did not suit – only eight days before Monday’s win are testament to both the horse’s class and John’s amazing skills, while RED LION consistency was rewarded under a clever ride by Zac Purton.
Monday’s meeting also saw two first-start winners with WINDCHEATER for Mark Newnham and VOYAGE SAMURAI for Frankie Lor and I look forward to following their progress as the season unfolds.
Tonight (Thursday, 15 February) marks the continuation of our Blossom Nights at Happy Valley and the Lunar New Year celebrations as we pay homage to traditional Chinese festivities in the world-famous Beer Garden.
The Year of the Dragon has certainly opened in fantastic fashion and I hope it continues with the running of a nine-race card at Happy Valley, where the Yue Man Handicap for Class 3 horses is carded as Race 9 at 10.50pm with prizemoney of $2,050,000.
The speed in the race will be good with FLAMINGO TRILLION going forward from gate three to lead. MAJESTIC VICTORY also races on the pace and will go forward from his wide draw. LEAN HERO and ESCAPE ROUTE will also be in the leading division from their inside barriers.
NOBLE PURSUIT is a progressive, lightly raced four-year-old who has won two of his four starts this season. He came to Happy Valley for the first time last start, when he went forward from a middle draw to settle on the speed, one off the fence, before coming away for a dominant win from SURE JOYFUL over 1650m. NOBLE PURSUIT extends in distance and rises in class, but is drawn to get a perfect run behind the leading group and is a win and place chance with Alexis Badel riding for the first time.
FLAMINGO TRILLION has finished runner-up at his past two starts. He was very good racing behind the leader and hitting the front 200m out and fighting on strongly to be narrowly beaten by SWEET ENCOUNTER over 1600m at Sha Tin on 28 January. FLAMINGO TRILLION is racing at the city track for the first time, but has a good gate and should land on speed for Derek Leung and is a place chance.
TURIN MASCOT has been very consistent this season and made good ground in the straight last start to finish third to SIMPLY MAVERICK and RED HARE KING over 1650m on 31 January.
Karis Teetan will ride for luck from an outside gate as he did last start and TURIN MASCOT is a place chance, especially if there is a good tempo set by the leaders.
LEAN HERO got further back than anticipated and failed to make an impression behind SIMPLY MAVERICK last start. Andrea Atzeni rides for the first time and should have LEAN HERO close to the lead from his rails draw and is a place chance on his best form at this course and distance.
ALL BEAUTY, ROMANTIC LAOS and HAMERON, who drops in class, are all racing well and have claims, as do last start winners PRIME MINISTER and NICHOLSON RETURNS in a very competitive race to conclude the meeting.
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