A trio of Italians has become the focus of local racing recently as Umberto Rispoli and Andrea Atzeni have joined Mirco Demuro in our jockeys’ line-up and they all rode in races last Saturday. Both Mirco and Umberto managed to ride winners that day and Andrea is aiming to make a breakthrough soon. We shall see if these three talented jockeys will continue to deliver good results in upcoming race meetings.
Apart from our three Italian horsemen, we have also welcomed two visiting horses from overseas this week, namely Spalato from Singapore and Hana’s Goal from Japan. They will compete in our G2 Jockey Club races this Sunday. Since our three Jockey Club races were opened to international runners years ago, a few overseas raiders have participated, both to test their mettle and to try to further enhance their chances to be selected for the Hong Kong International Races.
My colleagues told me that both Spalato and Hana’s Goal have been doing very well since they checked in to our quarantine stables. It’s pleasing to know that our quarantine facilities at Sha Tin have received very good comments. Horsemen from the overseas said the quarantine facilities here in Hong Kong rank among the best in the world, and have definitely helped their horses to settle in more quickly after arriving in Hong Kong. I learnt that some of the horses who raced during the Spring Carnival in Australia are also intended for our international races, and they wish to arrive here early, after completing their quarantine procedures in Australia, so that they will be able to start their Hong Kong preparation earlier for our flagship international event next month.
I attended a Sha Tin trackwork session yesterday morning and although I missed the chance to watch Spalato, who exercised on turf before sunrise, some racing media friends and track watchers told me that the horse performed nicely and appeared to be in good order. Spalato follows Rocket Man and Super Easy to become the third Singapore horse in five years to run in the G2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint, so it will be interesting to see how he fares in trackwork in the next few days.
Hana’s Goal, along with her companion horse, also checked in to our quarantine stable on Sunday morning. She will become the first Japanese runner to participate in our Jockey Club races when she goes to post for the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile on Sunday. This five-year-old won the G1 All Aged Stakes in Australia in April. In that victory the now Hong Kong-based Nash Rawiller steered her from a last-to-first down the home straight and that was a very impressive performance. Nash will reunite with the horse on Sunday and it will be exciting if this mare can produce the same level of performance.
Hana’s Goal won’t be competing at Happy Valley while she is here, but she would no doubt feel at home if she were to take a trot around there tonight! That is because race fans at the Valley this evening will enjoy our Japan Night. For the first time, we will bring Japanese themes to our Happy Wednesday meetings. As well as enjoying selected Japanese food treats and cultural performances, those of you who come along can also join our snap photo contest for the chance to win free air tickets to Tokyo. Don’t miss the chance to join in and enjoy a fun night of racing. I’ll see you all at the Valley this evening.
The American Club Challenge Cup, a Class 3 race at 1800m, is one of two Cup races tonight and will be run as the 6th race. Cartoon Fay Fay has yet to win in 21 races since coming to Hong Kong, but has demonstrated in his recent races that he is getting closer to breaking through. He will be well positioned behind a moderate pace and enjoys the benefit of a low weight over his preferred distance. He is an each way chance.
Redwood Baby is proven over the course and distance and looks to be a main contender, along with pace-setting Horse Aplenty and late-running Wrath Of Fire. Another horse worthy of consideration is Eton Blitz as he makes his first appearance at Happy Valley after a solid effort over a mile at Sha Tin earlier this month.
The second of our featured races tonight is the Japan Racing Association Trophy as Race 7, a Class 2 at 1650m. Gun Pit comes off a disappointing effort in his last start but had an excuse when he was trapped wide and without cover. Prior to that, he delivered an eye-catching win on the All-Weather Track when he rallied from far back to win going away. This is a horse with ability, having won four of five races over this distance, and he is a solid win chance tonight. Harbour Master is back in his best form now and is a place chance along with Happy Era, Majestic Anthem and outsider Beauty Lead.
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