In recent years we have seen more young racing enthusiasts joining the ranks of horse owners. Many of the new comers have entered the sport as a result of a shared family interest, with most of their parents being horse owners. Another influence for attracting young owners is the Racing Club as every time Racing Club-owned horses run we see dozens of members on the scene enjoying the sport and showing their support. We are pleased to see this youthful phenomenon as its effects are positive and enhance the sustainability of the sport’s future development.
It’s even more encouraging to see this new trend in horse ownership extending to female owners. This can be seen from glancing at the line-up of our BMW Hong Kong Derby tomorrow, as four of the runners in the field belong to women owners.
Vicky Tang who owns one of the leading Derby hopes, It Has To Be You, shared her personal experiences about horse ownership and horse riding in recent interviews ahead of Sunday’s big race. Having had a long association with horses through leisure riding, and being deeply influenced by her father, it came as no surprise that Tang developed a great affection for these powerful and athletic animals. She has said that her experiences with horses actually changed her personal character, making her more patient. She is certainly being rewarded for her love of horses. It Has To Be You is only the second racehorse to compete in her sole ownership and the Hong Kong Classic Cup winner is the first Derby runner for her family.
Similar to Tang, there are two other Derby contenders whose female owners – Nikki Ng of Mizani and Ada Wong of Endowing – are also with tracked racing background and heavily influenced by their respective families for their participation in the racing sport. Ng is the daughter of Robert Ng – owner of the G1 winner Daliapour, while Wong’s father Ben Wong is also a veteran owner who once had a decent local sprinter – Group winner Enthused - raced for him.
It’s interesting to learn that should Tang, Ng or Wong’s runner, or Yvonne Lui’s Poetic Justice win tomorrow’s race, they would become the first female owner see their own colours carried to Derby victory since Hong Kong racing turned professional in the 1970s. Let’s see if any of them can write a new chapter of history and achieve this groundbreaking win at Sha Tin tomorrow.
With its stunning victory last time, I think It Has To Be You should not be overlooked in the Derby as he should be suited to the 2000m distance. He will be one of the dark horses in the race. Other runners such as Classic Mile winner Gold-Fun and John Moore’s charge Ashkiyr are both capable challengers despite both being drawn out wide. The former horse is very versatile and the latter I think 2000m will be his best distance.
But I believe horse they all have to contain and the one to beat in the field is Akeed Mofeed from the Richard Gibson stable. This Irish import showed great promise when winning an 1800m event last time, and its connections earned a great boost when owner Pan Sutong drew Gate 3 in the barrier draw on Thursday. Akeed Mofeed will be the focus of the race and let’s see if he lives up to his top billing.
The race’s tempo should be good to slow, especially as there is no definite leader and many of these horses step up in distance for the first time. Best Show out of gate 11 may lead and rails-drawn Endowing can share or take the box seat. Gold-Fun has drawn Gate 12 and I would not be surprised that he goes forward to go across and leads. Akeed Mofeed from Gate 3, as well as its stablemate Mizani and Albiceleste, should be well placed, with Classic Cup winner It Has To Be You from Gate 8 has to be careful not to be caught wide when going into the first bend. The same applies to Wah May Star, too. Classic Cup runner-up President Lincoln will be behind midfield following Akeed Mofeed, with Rainbow Chic and Poetic Justice further back. Ashkiyr, who is working very well, has to come from the back with Autumn Gold.
Akeed Mofeed is working very well and is my first pick on class, but I am concerned that with a slow pace he could pull again and use too much energy. He is still a win and place chance but not a certainty. He can stay the Derby distance but may be in the end prefer the mile due to the pace in theses races may be more to his liking. Gold-Fun is my second pick especially if he goes forward as I think he will do. If he is able to lead in a slow pace he will not be easy to run down. President Lincoln has come back to form and is a place chance. It Has To be You has a much tougher draw and I prefer Ashkiyr despite his draw and he is a proven 2000m horse with a good turn of foot and is working extremely well. He has to come from the back but his last run was good and he has improved further. An outsider who has shown improvement is Rainbow Chic.
Comment
