Today at Sha Tin racecourse we host the 42nd race meeting of the season, which means we have reached the mid-point of the current campaign. In most European nations, the flat racing season hasn’t yet kicked-off but there is still plenty to excite racing fans with information about new equine arrivals filling the bloodstock pages in recent weeks.
I’m sure many of you agree with me that it seems like just yesterday that we were enjoying the phenomenal exploits of the mighty unbeaten Frankel. But in fact it has been 16 months since the great horse had his last run in the Champion Stakes back in October 2012 and was subsequently retired to stud. He covered many quality mares in his debut season as a stallion, and several of his first crop foals have now been born. As a German, the Frankel foal that has naturally caught my attention over all others is the youngster out of the top German mare Danedream. Last week the mating produced a filly foal in England, and I have to tell you she looks healthy, cute, and is quite a beauty.
Another Frankel filly to attract the media glare this past week is the one out of the six-time Group 1 winner Midday. This foal was always going to be thrust into the spotlight as both her sire and dam were trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil in their racing days and were bred and raced by Prince Khalid Abdulla. Some even view this filly as a symbol of the legacy of this legendary trainer. As pointed out in the newspapers, these two foals have the best possible pedigrees and could each fetch astronomical figures if their breeders put them through the auction ring. But that is most likely not going to happen. I’m sure many racing fans hold high expectations for these two horses and will be hoping they enjoy sparkling careers that reflect the achievements of their champion parents, but either way, with their sublime breeding they could be producing champion offspring of their own in due course. If any of you are interested to take a look at the photos and videos of Frankel’s foals out of Danedream and Midday, go to Frankel’s official Facebook page here.
As we enter the second half of our racing season, the contest for our jockeys’ and trainers’ premierships are starting to gather pace. Now Joao Moreira is trailing current leading rider Zac Purton by just 13 wins, but he picked up a three-day suspension on Wednesday, which begins on 24 February. Having said that, Joao could narrow the gap before his suspension starts, if he is able to maintain the strike-rate he has enjoyed so far and it looks like being a fight to the wire. Meanwhile, John Size is in pole position in his quest for his 8th HK Champion Trainer title, and he’s currently leading John Moore by six wins. First season trainer Chris So is now in third place with 25 wins, which I think is very impressive for a rookie trainer. It’s certainly going to be an interesting run-in to the season finale in July, and like all of you, I’ll be keeping a close eye on these would-be champions as the season progresses to see which jockeys and trainers can gain an edge.
Looking to the action today, I will be paying particular attention to the Heung Yee Kuk Cup (Handicap), which is run as a Class 3 over 1200m on the C+3 Track. This track has its own characteristics which horses tend to race even tighter, and many times horses on the fence behind the pace don't get an uninterrupted run. The pace is expected to be good with regular pacesetter The Prince should take up his usual role, but he may be pressured by You Read My Mind and Dynamic Voyage which will need to be pushed forward to overcome their wide draws. My Legend can be well placed in midfield with Silly Buddies on his outside. Packing Motor, Supreme Essence and Beauty Journey should be further back, with G-One Leader from Gate 11 taken back.
Silly Buddies is working very well and despite the risk of being caught wide, he is for me the horse to beat in this race. My Legend who has his first start in Hong Kong is an interesting newcomer with ability and is a place chance for me. Dynamic Voyage who has potential but was found to have blood in his trachea last time is a place chance too, but he has some fitness issues after a long break. You Read My Mind is another place chance who had a long break too after being found lame after his race in October, but he is working well. Dining Star is working well too and I would not be surprised if he can get a place.
It’s non-stop for me after the races today as there’s an exciting English Premier League match to watch, with Arsenal and Liverpool playing against each other tonight. Manchester City missed the chance to go top of the league table with their defeat to Chelsea on Monday. That gives an advantage to Arsenal and a win tonight will see them extend their lead to five points before City and Chelsea kick off later this evening. Certainly it won’t be an easy task for Arsenal as they have to deal with Liverpool’s red-hot SAS striking partnership - Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. It should be a good game and I wish all sports fans an enjoyable day.
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