With 1400m distance expert Aashiq delivering an impressive wire-to-wire victory in the HKG3 Prince Jewellery & Watch Premier Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, winners of all our 34 pattern races this season have been confirmed. Having said that, two other top Hong Kong sprinters will have the chance to obtain another Group race victory, not in Hong Kong but in the UK, as Joy And Fun and Little Bridge will both be taking part in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes on the opening day of the Royal Ascot meeting tonight.
Both horses arrived in the UK three weeks ago and I have seen their trackwork photos as released on Sunday. Both of them appeared to be in fine form. In the past our Hong Kong runners have performed well in this speed contest, with Cape Of Good Hope finishing second and fourth in his two starts in this race (the latter being in York in 2005 when Ascot was under renovation) and Sweet Sanette claiming a creditable third in the race last year.
Peter Moody targeting Black Caviar solely at the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and sidestepping the King’s Stand has probably helped the chances of our Hong Kong duo, although we should not underestimate the quality of the opposition or the benefit of home track advantage, which the European contenders will enjoy.
I am already in the UK and will be proceeding to the racecourse shortly to give Joy And Fun and Little Bridge my enthusiastic support. The weather is fine here and is expected to be sunny, with occasional shower today, which is good for the Hong Kong horses.
According to reports, Derek Cruz rated Joy And Fun now in better condition compared to it did in the Golden Jubilee Stakes two years ago, while Danny Shum was quoted that Little Bridge is in fine form and his pre-race body weight was rather stable, too. Given the different environment, it’s always not easy for horses to perform to their best when they run overseas, but hopefully our runners can do well and either win or go close in this hot speed contest this time.
The King's Stand Stakes as a straight 1000m over the demanding course in Ascot, is more than a 1200m race in Sha Tin and the course is not as flat as in Hong Kong, which provides a great challenge for the Hong Kong horses. Both Little Bridge and Joy And Fun seem to have recovered from some travel stress and it took time for them to settle in, but I’m still hopeful that, especially Little Bridge, will perform well and has the chance to be placed. Bated Breath is in good form and with the rain staying away he also has nice chance. In my opinion, Ortensia will be the horse to beat as her win in Dubai was outstanding. Fillies have a good record in the race and I like french filly Wizz Kid too, who is in good form and was placed in Ascot before when ridden by Gerald Mosse.
Apart from giving your support to our Hong Kong runners in tonight’s simulcast, in the opening event of this year’s Royal Ascot meeting – the Queen Anne Stakes - we will also have privilege of enjoying the participation of the mighty Frankel, who will be bidding for his 11th career victory. With the world’s best horse showcasing in this mile event, it will be very difficult for Excelebration – in my view the world’s second best miler – to beat him today! It would also be a difficult task for other participants to match the pace of the duo. But Red Jazz, who is owned by our former Club Chairman Ronald Arculli, could have an outside chance to finish a place.
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