We have a big week ahead on the international stage with our eight Hong Kong challengers settling in at Meydan racecourse in preparation for the Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday. This is the highest number of horses we have ever sent overseas for one event and this fact emphasises the current quality of Hong Kong racing from a horse population of only around 1,200 stabled at Sha Tin.
I have heard that our team is considered a strong one by the overseas media who have gathered in Dubai, but it should also be noted that those eight are trained by six different trainers, which is pleasing too as it signals the quality of not only the horses but also the standard of horsemen we have in Hong Kong.
Speaking of which, Joao Moreira will be a key player on Saturday as he rides five of the eight. Joao was in sizzling form again with another winning hat-trick performance at Sha Tin last Sunday. I learnt that that was the 7th occasion he has ridden a hat-trick of winners this season. From the 32 local race meetings he has participated in this term, he has landed winners in 30 of them, which in my view is astonishing. He’s now just five winners behind the current jockeys' championship leader Zac Purton, so I think it's safe to say that we can expect an enthralling contest at the top of the leaderboard in the upcoming weeks.
I'm sure the connections of those horses Joao is booked to ride in Dubai will be very happy to see that he is in such fine form. As well as Joao, trainers John Moore and Derek Cruz both landed winners on Sunday and these are all positive factors as they head to the Emirates to put the finishing touches to pre-race preparations.
Mahab Al Shimaal winner Rich Tapestry has been in Dubai for some weeks now, and the seven remaining Hong Kong runners departed for Dubai in the second half of last week. I have had word from my colleagues who have arrived in the Middle East that the horses are all settling in well. This is vital, as a horse will perform below his best if he does not perk up after the long flight and acclimatise to the new surroundings. It’s always a tricky task, sending horses to compete overseas, so while we are very hopeful and looking forward to a good show from our strong team, one can never be too confident.
I understand that the weather in Dubai is ideal at present, although there are some light showers expected mid-week. The temperature is not as high as it can be at this time of year and is perfect early morning when the horses stretch out on the track. Although it is warmer than Hong Kong, it is not expected to get too hot and that should be good for all of the horses. With the travel and the warm climate, it's important that the horses recover their appetites, eat well and drink well, and trainers will often tailor the training regimes to fit the new environment.
Ricky Yiu, who saddles Amber Sky in this year’s Al Quoz Sprint, is one of them. He hopes to avoid the risk of his horse being affected by possible high temperatures by exercising Amber Sky early each morning before the sun rises. I think this is a good tactic, as working in rising temperatures could cause unnecessary physical exertion and Ricky has taken a good precaution. Of course, most of the horses have already completed their serious preparations before their departure and it’s more important for their handlers to keep them happy and relaxed in the coming few days. It will be an exciting week and let's keep our fingers crossed that they all will be in top shape when it comes to the big day on Saturday. I personally will fly to Dubai on Thursday and in the lead-up to the event I will attend the international meetings of the IFHA, but I am particularly keen to get down to Meydan on Friday morning to see Hong Kong's horses in their work.
Before we turn our attention to those world-class races at Meydan, we still have another local meeting – this time at our all-weather track at Sha Tin – this evening. Among the eight races on the car, the Diamond Hill Handicap is a Class 2 event over 1650m, being run as the last race of the evening. The pace should be good which should give every horse a fair chance. Great Spirit is working very well and the main question is if he stays the extra 450m in his first start over this distance. He is my favourIte for this race with Hypersonic who has already won over this course and distance. Eagle Power is my next pick, along with Free Judgement who has to overcome his high draw and will have to come from the back of the field.
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