Most football fans have enjoyed an entertaining weekend. In the Premier League, unlike the scenario two years ago, there was no late drama for Manchester City as they were crowned league champions this season after easily overcoming West Ham. In the Bundesliga my home town club Borussia Monchengladbach could not finish the season with a victory but still they finished 6th and at least secured a berth in the Europa League next season. There are still some big cup finals coming up for football fans though, and of course the FIFA World Cup, which will kick off in Brazil four weeks tomorrow!
For our racing in Hong Kong, as we approach the end of the current season, many racing fans and media have been starting to focus on various year-end accolades. Designs On Rome has so far been the most successful horse in Hong Kong this season, winning three G1s/HKG1s – the HK Classic Cup, the BMW HK Derby and most recently, the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup.
Another horse that will no doubt have a big say in the year-end awards is top sprinter Amber Sky who won the Centenary Sprint Cup and the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. I noticed that the racing media, both local and overseas, carried reports that Amber Sky’s trainer Ricky Yiu has decided not to travel his horse to the UK for the King’s Stand Stakes, but is instead arranging an early summer break for him. After his emphatic win in Dubai, Amber Sky was viewed as one of the favourites for this year’s King’s Stand. But of course the connections know their horse best and while an appearance at the Royal Ascot meeting is certainly appealing I think the current decision to get him freshened up and re-energised in the summer is a very sensible move. We could well see an even better horse when Ricky sends him out for some big assignments next season.
With Designs On Rome and Amber Sky each enjoying a sensational and prosperous season, we will turn our attention to the Hong Kong quartet who are campaigning in Singapore this Sunday in the Singapore Airlines International Cup and KrisFlyer International Sprint. Military Attack, Lucky Nine and Sterling City are all seeking their second HKG1/G1 success this season. Reports from Kranji suggest this Hong Kong trio, along with last year’s SIA Cup runner-up Dan Excel, have all settled very well after their arrivals. It’s a good sign for them all and hopefully they each would have a sound gallop and smooth preparation ahead of the race for the rest of the week.
As well as Kranji this weekend, the final HKG1 contest of the season, the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup will be held on Sunday week, in which Designs On Rome is due to line up in that race at Sha Tin. His participation for sure fuels racing fans’ interests on this top race before the season ends and I will be much looking forward to it.
But first let’s turn our attention back to Happy Valley tonight, as there are only four more Happy Valley race meetings this season due to Government’s underground stormwater storage project underneath the Happy Valley racetrack. Tonight we will stage the Le French May race meeting with related themed attractions and performances. I hope you all will soak up the Gallic atmosphere on course this evening.
Among the eight races on the card, the Sauternes Cup is run as race 6 and is a Class 3 over 1650m. The Cup presenter is the Mayor of Sauternes Dr Jean-Michel Descamps, who is in his other official capacity as the Chairman of the Bordeaux Racecourse. This is another example that wines and horses are part of a sophisticated lifestyle. The race has no strong pacesetter but five of the runners like to be running close to the pace, which should ensure good to slow pace. Flying Unicorn from gate 8 and Red Dancer from gate 11 are both likely to go forward to overcome their wide draws. Invictus and Lucky Hammer should be able to secure good positions behind the pace, with Dragon Fighter and Amazingly behind them. Ongoing Volatility and Victory Hero are expected to be behind midfield with Danewin Express and Buddy Buddies at the back. Lucky Hammer is working well and he is one of my favourites for this race with Victory Hero and Invictus from gate 4 is another win and place chance in my opinion. Flying Unicorn and Ongoing Volatility should not be underestimated and they could have the chance to at least finish for a place.
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