With the release this week of the entries for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (LONGINES HKIR), featuring 70 individual Group 1 winners among 185 world-class nominations, the sense of anticipation and excitement ahead of our flagship December meeting is quickly building.
Sha Tin will host four elite Group 1 features on 14 December – the HK$40 million LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$36 million LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$28 million LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$26 million LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) – and there are several key races over the next week on the global stage which could shape LONGINES HKIR field selection.
The four-day Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington in Australia, the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar in California and the Tenno Sho Autumn in Tokyo all feature runners entered for LONGINES HKIR, and I wish all connections the best of luck.
LONGINES HKIR is not only one of the most important race meetings on the global calendar, but it is also one of Hong Kong, China’s prime sporting assets with its capacity to attract the best horses, jockeys and trainers from around the world to compete with Hong Kong champions in front of our passionate racing followers as well as growing numbers of international visitors.
With the LONGINES HKIR showcase quickly approaching, it was very encouraging to see global champion ROMANTIC WARRIOR continue his positive headway towards a potential fourth LONGINES Hong Kong Cup triumph with a 1200m barrier trial win at Sha Tin on Friday (31 October).
On Thursday night (30 October), I had the pleasure of meeting a champion from another sport – American football – when Jarvis Landry attended the Sha Tin meeting.
A highly decorated wide receiver, Jarvis displayed a keen interest in horseracing and enjoyed meeting the stars of our sport, including Zac Purton and others. Like many other athletes from a variety of sports who have attended Happy Valley and Sha Tin over the years, Jarvis was extremely complimentary about his raceday experience.
Our World Pool operation will be in full swing today (1 November) at Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne for Victoria Derby Day where the first of nine races is carded as S1-1 and will be run at 9.20am.
The first of the three Group 1 features is the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), which is carded as S1-6 and will be run at 12.40pm.
The pace will be good early with HIDDEN MOTIVE (Ashley Morgan) and RAGING FORCE (Tommy Berry) generating a strong tempo from middle gates.
BEIWACHT (Adam Hyeronimus) was impressive winning at Rosehill over 1400m last start and, although yet to win at 1200m, he is a win and place chance.
Fellow Godolphin-owned colt TENTYRIS (Mark Zahra) is also a win and place chance following his last start victory at Caulfield while BEADMAN (Blake Shinn), MY GLADIOLA (Jamie Mott), RAGING FORCE, SKYHOOK (Craig Williams) and LEGACY BOUND (Jye McNeil) are all place chances.
The G1 Victoria Derby (2500m) is carded as S1-7 and will be run at 1.20pm. The pace will be good to slow.
OBSERVER (Mark Zahra) could have won by much more over 2040m at Moonee Valley last Saturday (25 October) had he not been eased right down to the line. He gives the impression the extra distance will suit and is a win and place chance.
WOOTTON BASSETT colt PROVIDENCE (Craig Williams) ran on strongly for second behind OBSERVER last start and is again a place chance along with O’SHEAMUS (Kerrin McEvoy), AUTUMN MYSTERY (Blake Shinn) and OPTIONS (Harry Coffey).
The G1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) is carded as S1-8 and run at 2pm. The speed will be good with PRIDE OF JENNI (Declan Bates) leading from LAZZURA (Tommy Berry) and ON DISPLAY (Ben Melham).
This will be a battle of tactics with PRIDE OF JENNI trying to establish a winning break by running her rivals into submission. PRIDE OF JENNI has an excellent record at 1600m with six wins and three seconds from 15 starts and she is a win and place chance.
FANGIRL (Kerrin McEvoy) is the hardest to beat as a win and place chance, while LEICA LUCY (Mark Zahra), IDLE FLYER (Michael Dee), DAMASK ROSE (Blake Shinn), LAZZURA and ABOUNDING (Jamie Melham) are place chances.
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