Last Saturday night we simulcast four races from British Champions Day to our racing fans in Hong Kong. In our live broadcast you may have witnessed how the mighty miler Frankel simply bulldozed his high class opponents to extend his unbeaten streak to nine in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, while French raider Cirrus des Aigles surged past So You Think in the Champion Stakes to score the first G1 victory of his career.
Many of our racing fans will recall that Cirrus des Aigles took part in last year’s Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup, in which he finished seventh. This year, this five-year-old gelding has shown significant improvement and consistency in his campaign, winning five of his 10 starts in the process. Apart from his latest victory in Britain, he also notched up a win in the G3 Prix Gontaut-Biron – The Hong Kong Jockey Club at Deauville in August. So it’s been a very successful year for the horse and his connections – thereby suggesting that a trip to Hong Kong can be very good for a horse’s overall health!
The initial nomination stage of this year’s Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races closed last Friday, and I can tell you this French star is one of the many top overseas runners entered for the four G1 races at our HK$68 million flagship international event.
We have received a total of 311 nominations at the initial stage, which is the highest figure since 2007 and includes a high proportion of elite horses from different countries and continents. To name a few, they include Arc winner Danedream from Germany, dual Cox Plate winner So You Think from Ireland, European supermare Goldikova from France, Dubai World Cup winner Victoire Pisa from Japan, Dubai Golden Shaheen winner Rocket Man from Singapore, dual Oaks winner and Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup defending champion Snow Fairy from the UK, and of course, our reigning Horse of the Year and APQEII Cup winner Ambitious Dragon.
In all, a record number of 88 entrants are already G1 winners, and nearly 80 per cent of our nominees have previously won or been placed in Group races. This represents sensational news for us, as it highlights the premier status and ever growing attractiveness of our Turf World Championships in the eyes of horsemen and connections around the racing world. In late November you will find out which top overseas runners will be selected to come to Hong Kong and challenge our own top horses on their home turf. So please pay close attention to our announcement at then.
Back to our local races, we enjoyed a very good spell of racing last week. At Happy Valley races last Wednesday, our turnover exceeded the HK$900 million mark in spite of some heavy rain, and on Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day last Sunday, turnover reached HK$1.1 billion. Given current market conditions, these are definitely excellent figures and good results for us all.
On our very own Ladies’ Day we also had more than 64,000 people attending our two racecourses, which is the seventh consecutive year we have had a 60,000-plus crowd for this elegant race meeting. Although I was largely preoccupied that day and couldn’t get away to spend much time in the public area, I know the atmosphere was wonderful as the performance areas, make-up counters and our merchandise counters at the concourse were packed by racegoers. Many of the ladies in attendance also enjoyed the tradition of dressing up elegantly, with some extraordinary gowns and gorgeous hats on show. That sort of style definitely made the day and the racecourse more glamourous, and I hope you all enjoyed this ladies’ themed race day just as much as I did.
We certainly hope to extend this positive turnover trend and wonderful on-course atmosphere to the race meetings to come, starting with the eight races on our all weather track at Sha Tin tonight.
The Tsuen Wan New Town Golden Jubilee Cup Handicap, which celebrates for the 50th anniversary of Tsuen Wan New Town this year, is our feature race of the evening. It’s expected to be run at a good to fast pace with Crown Witness from Gate 11 will try to cross to go into the lead. Carrying the weight of 131 pounds, this factor will make this four-year-old not having an easy run, as well as for Sky Mascot who has to carry the top weight of 133 pounds and is drawn outside at Gate 12. Red Lucky Star from Gate 7 will go forward to find a good spot just off the pace. He is a top-three chance for me as he is really working well at trackwork, despite he has not run on this surface previously. My favourite of the race is Smart Choice, who is with proven track record on the surface and distance, as well as the perfect draw of Gate 1. Five Clubs also won in the same course and distance in his last two starts. He is the other horse I like a lot in this race.
For the Ho Pui Handicap, this 1200m event should be run at a good to fast pace, with the quick Romantic City expected to lead. He is by Elusive City who produces specialists for the dirt. In full fitness he would be one of my top choices, but I’m not sure if he has reached that fitness level yet. London China Town is flying in trackwork and with the good draw is one of my choices in this race. Admiration is a fantastic horse and he ran well on his seasonal debut. Even he has to carry top weight and is unproven at this surface, he’s a horse I would give him a chance. Horse Galore is drawn to start in Gate 10, but with his two trial wins and proven form at this distance and surface, he has a good win and place chance for me.
Comment
