The Four-Year-Old Classic Series is one of the highlights of the Hong Kong horseracing season and, with just under six weeks until the running of the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 1 February, quality equine talent continues to emerge.
In its relatively short history, the Four-Year-Old Classic Series has produced outstanding racing, while also doubling as a launching pad for some of Hong Kong’s greatest horses with the advance of ROMANTIC WARRIOR, VOYAGE BUBBLE, GOLDEN SIXTY, CALIFORNIA SPANGLE and WERTHER, who all succeeded in the series before advancing to multiple Group 1 victories.
Comprised of three of Hong Kong’s most prestigious races – the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m), HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) – the Four-Year-Old Classic series was launched in the 2016/17 season and carries a record HK$52 million in prizemoney.
This significant prizemoney, along with the Club’s rewarding Bonus scheme, is an incentive for Hong Kong owners to invest in the best available equine talent to further enhance Hong Kong’s world-class racing while chasing Four-Year-Old Classic Series glory.
While Hong Kong has only 1,350 horses – or 0.7 per cent of the global thoroughbred population – our champion horses continue reach extraordinary heights on the international rankings through the deeds of ROMANTIC WARRIOR, KA YING RISING and VOYAGE BUBBLE.
But the challenge to foster emerging talent to bolster Hong Kong’s three ‘Heavenly Horses Kings’ is ongoing and it was heartening that of the 11 races staged at Sha Tin on Saturday (20 December), seven were won by four-year-olds – INVINCIBLE IBIS, FIT FOR BEAUTY, GLACIATED, TURQUOISE VELOCITY, EMBLAZON, NYX GLUCK and THE RED HARE.
Of that group, INVINCIBLE IBIS and FIT FOR BEAUTY shape as likely contenders for the Hong Kong Classic Mile and potentially the Hong Kong Classic Cup and the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
Trained by Mark Newnham, INVINCIBLE IBIS posted his third win in a row with success under Zac Purton in the Class 3 Poinsettia Handicap (1600m), defeating several other progressive four-year-olds including FORTUNE BOY (third), DAZZLING FIT (fifth) and TIN FOOK (seventh) and is now rated 83.
FIT FOR BEAUTY showed plenty of courage for John Size and James McDonald in fighting hard to win the Class 4 Hibiscus Handicap (1600m) and has now risen to 65 in the ratings having downed fellow four-year-olds SMART FAT CAT (third), ALL ROUND WINNER (fourth) and AUDACIOUS PURSUIT (fifth).
The four-year-old ratings are currently headed by COLOURFUL KING (98), PATCH OF STARS (92), SAGACIOUS LIFE (90), MASSIVE CONTENDER (88) and LITTLE PARADISE (87) and it will be fascinating to monitor the progress of this group across the Four-Year-Old Classic series and beyond when some will follow a middle-distance path while others will be kept to sprinting.
With Christmas Day only two days away, our Happy Wednesday Winter Wonderland theme continues at Happy Valley tonight (23 December) as we celebrate the festive season. Attendees to the Beer Garden can enjoy wonderful food and beverages, entertainment for Janala & Band, and also world-class horseracing.
The competitive highlight at Happy Valley tonight is the Class 2 Neptune Handicap which is carded as Race 9 and will be run over 1650m with prizemoney of HK$3.12 million.
The pace will be strong with TELECOM FIGHTERS (Dylan Mo) and HARMONY N BLESSED (Luke Ferraris) likely to ensure a solid speed. SOLEIL FIGHTER (Andrea Atzeni) and STEPS AHEAD (Hollie Doyle) are also likely to be prominent.
SOLEIL FIGHTER has an excellent record at the track having finished in the top three in 11 of 13 runs at the course. He ran well at Sha Tin over 1600m last start when runner-up to HONG LOK GOLF on 30 November. SOLEIL FIGHTER is drawn to get the run of the race and is a win and place chance.
G3 January Cup (1800m) winner HELENE FEELING (Hugh Bowman) bounced back to form when he beat AWESOME FLUKE and NUMBERS on 10 December. HELENE FEELING drops back to the 1650m here but has a good record at the distance and is a place chance from gate five.
REGAL GEM (Zac Purton) has established an excellent record over 1200m at this track, winning three of his past four starts, finishing second at the other. Last start, he stormed home off a fast pace to easily beat SPICY GOLD on 5 November. REGAL GEM is a place chance along with STEPS AHEAD and HUGE WAVE (Harry Bentley).
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone Happy Holidays and the very best for the festive season and I look forward to seeing you at our world-class racing in the near future.
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