On Wednesday we unveiled the list of selected runners for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 9 December. I’m not sure whether the local and overseas horses you expected to see are all named, but I do know this year’s event will be as exciting as ever. With the international racing action now looming large, those of you who regularly visit the Club’s website will know that we have already posted and updated related information about the international meeting there.
With the internet being one of the major channels used by The Club to interact and convey information to our customers, we launched the LONGINES HKIR themed webpage a couple of weeks ago. There you will find feature stories about the top racehorses and horsemen heading to Hong Kong for the big event. Our international bloggers will also share with you all their views regarding certain horses’ chances of success, as well as interesting behind the scenes happenings.
We are also airing the HKIR TV commercial at the racecourse and via various Club channels, as we intensify our drive to grab the attention of the wider public and share the excitement of this great sporting event in town. LONGINES, our new sponsor partner for the HKIR, also staged an extensive campaign recently on TV channels and through assorted public promotions, highlighting its long established links with the sport of horseracing and equestrian events.
The Swiss watchmaker has long supported the sport in different countries, and just a few of the many worldwide races and events they sponsor include their title sponsorship of the French Oaks, the Mackinnon Stakes in Australia, the Grosser Preis von Baden in Germany, and the Singapore Gold Cup. We are very happy to have engaged this new partner, which has shown such a dedication to horseracing and equestrian sports in general. Along with the participation of high profile horses and horsemen this year, I believe the support of this important high-profile brand will help take our flagship international event to an even higher status in global racing.
As for myself, I’m currently in Japan to attend the annual international showcase event here tomorrow – the Japan Cup meeting at Tokyo Racecourse. Following Danedream last year, the winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe will contest this race for the second consecutive year, and not only that, the race will feature the rematch between this year’s Arc winner Solemia and runner-up Orfevre. I’m sure Japanese racing fans are eagerly awaiting this race as they were left gutted by the manner of Orfevre’s loss in the Arc last month. Solemia is primed for her run and should she win tomorrow, apart from the 250 million yen top prize, the Arc winner will be entitled to an extra bonus of 80 million yen. That should give the connections extra incentive but of course the filly knows nothing of such things! Hopefully she will be in peak condition, in which case it will be interesting battle between the big two.
Our simulcast of the event will also give you the opportunity to see how Mount Athos, Red Cadeaux and Jaguar Mail get on – all are selected runner for the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase and it would be great if they deliver decent performance in the race tomorrow before heading to Hong Kong in a fortnight’s time.
The Japan Racing Association is also staging this year’s World Super Jockeys Series in conjunction with Japan Cup weekend. Zac Purton will be Hong Kong’s flag-bearer in the series here today and tomorrow. It’s good to see Zac get this recognition as he is a talented rider. Zac will be very busy in the coming weeks as after the WSJS in Japan, he will be getting married next week ahead of the LONGINES IJC and LONGINES HKIR in early December. I would also like to congratulate him in advance and also wish him the best in his first-time participation in this international jockeys’ event in Japan.
For the Japan Cup, I believe that it will be very difficult to beat the Japanese horses at home. Solemia needs a soft going similar to that in the Arc race to be at her best, but it is unlikely to get that in Japan. Orfevre is still the horse to beat in this race, with Fenomeno, Rulership and Fillies’ Triple Crown winner Gentildonna as his main opponents.
We also have 10 races at Sha Tin tomorrow. In the Chevalier Cup which is run as a Class 1 over 1400m, the pace is expected to be good. Penglai Xianzi as strong pacesetter needs to go forward, with Real Supreme and Beauty Flash sharing the lead, or just sitting behind him. Fulfil A Wish and Keen Marie can be well placed in a forward position. Fat Choy Oohlala who is working very well may be taken back due to the draw. Beauty Flash is now on a handicap mark which makes him a place chance. Keen Marie is working very well and with the better positioning than Fat Choy Oohlala, he will be my pick in this race but I would not exclude Fat Choy Oohlala for a place. Fulfil A Wish is working well and has for me a place chance too!
Comment
