Hong Kong’s keen and dedicated distance runners had their biggest day of the year on Sunday as the city hosted its annual marathon event. The temperature was kind and although the humidity was a bit higher than it has been of late, I’m sure those of you who took part that day will have gained much from your experience, and perhaps you might have even enjoyed the satisfaction of a personal best finish time.
As I have done at times in the past, I took part in
the Leaders’ Cup competition. I had my usual 10km run around my neighbourhood earlier that day before participating in that 1.8km contest. That seemed to be beneficial as I had a nice canter and recorded one of my best performances in the Leaders’ Cup, finishing the contest in roughly nine minutes to rank joint-third. The winner was really fast though as he covered the trip in less than eight minutes.
Anyway, my own result is of no great importance, it is just of secondary interest when compared to the main reason for the Leaders’ Cup, which is to benefit worthy causes. This year we again raised funds for Seeing Is Believing, a campaign run by ORBIS to eradicate avoidable blindness in people in less developed countries. It’s great to be able to take part in the race for a good cause, and at the same time join with other community and business leaders in reaffirming the message that it is important for everyone to maintain fitness through exercise, and sports are a great way to do that.
After the Leaders’ Cup Sunday morning, I was at Sha Tin for another exciting sports event, the G1 Stewards’ Cup and the HKG1 Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup, to witness some of our very best horses competed in the two top-class contests.
In the Centenary Sprint Cup we saw another high quality four-year-old continue his rise to prominence as Peniaphobia, following up his barnstorming second-place run in last month’s LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, went one better to notch his first local G1 win in Hong Kong. His win was impressive for his battling desire to succeed over a distance short of his best. But I have no doubt most, if not all, of you would agree with me that the performance of day went to Able Friend, as this co-third best racehorse in the world slammed fellow elite milers to win the Stewards’ Cup.
There was no surprise in seeing the horse win, especially after the manner of his success last month, but the way in which he cruised home to victory was every bit as jaw-dropping as that previous win. Jockey Joao Moreira was little more than a passenger; a little nudging from Joao was all it took, and Able Friend accelerated automatically and stormed past the whole field in a very easy manner. He even had his ears pricked at the line as he clocked a time of 1m 33.5s, just a hundredth of a second slower than his win in the Hong Kong Mile last time. This performance showed again that he’s one of the best horses ever to be trained in Hong Kong.
It was interesting afterwards to hear connections commenting on future plans. John Moore, who labelled the horse as even better than Viva Pataca and on a par with Silent Witness, considered the Dubai Turf in March – formerly the Dubai Duty Free – as the main target now. But the horse’s owner Dr Cornel Li said he wants the horse to focus on races at home at this stage, before a possible journey to Japan or Royal Ascot later this season. No matter what they decide, it’s a real buzz to have such an exciting horse in Hong Kong, and I hope he can stay sound, in good order, and deliver more magical performance in his future starts.
Before then, we have the first Magic in the Valley themed meeting tonight, with world-renowned magicians mesmerizing the crowd at Happy Valley this evening. I hope you can come along and enjoy the racing and the extra entertainments we provided.
Tonight’s seventh race is the Manawatu Racing Club Challenge Trophy for Class 3 horses over the shortest course distance of 1000m. Brilliant Proposal and Triumphant Jewel will make the pace, with Winfull Patrol in close pursuit. Excel Oneself is a course and distance specialist and will also push forward from his outside gate. Disciples Twelve, a New Zealand bred, enters the Manawatu in the best form of his career and is expected to settle about midfield from his inside gate. He is a win and place chance for me. For place chances, St Yazin, Brilliant Proposal and Grand Plus are all in with a good chance in what promises to be a competitive affair.
One race earlier, Harbour Master is a good each way chance to continue his good Happy Valley form in the Crooked Island Handicap, an interesting Class 2 over 1800m. Jolly Victor and Sunny Ying are the other chances as both of them are proven over the course and distance.
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