I’m sure many racing fans, like me, can sense in the air that another big Group 1 race is almost upon us as the G1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup will be held in less than two weeks’ time. Five of the local selected runners took an important step in their preparation ahead of the event as they took part in barrier trials at Sha Tin yesterday morning. I’ve recapped the trial footage and I think Military Attack and Blazing Speed were the standouts among the quintet. These two top-class winners both gave good accounts. What they need might just be a further gallop or two to sharpen them up a bit, but they look ready for the test and I’m sure their connections can’t wait for the big day to come.
In the meantime, if you follow our news close enough, you may have seen that two of our overseas invitees, Criterion and Red Cadeaux, have both jet in from Australia and checked in at our Sha Tin quarantine stables yesterday. Of course we may need to wait a day or two to see how they fared on the journey, but nobody would question their form after their one-two finish in last Saturday’s G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The David Hayes-trained Criterion was so impressive in his decisive win, but one should not fault Red Cadeaux too as he was perhaps a little unlucky in the run that day. He’s a lovely horse and it’s rare to find a nine-year-old with such consistent performances in top level races in so many different countries. I look forward to learning more about their well-being later in the week.
More imminently we are about to announce the selected runners for another upcoming G1 event, the G1 Champions Mile on 3 May. I believe everybody’s attention will be on our star horse Able Friend, who is ranked as the equal world’s number one. In last year’s race this John Moore-trained runner was just a local G1 winner when he finished runner-up to South Africa’s Variety Club. Twelve months have passed by, however, and I believe all of you would agree with me that this horse has not only become better and stronger, but his performances suggest that he has proceeded to the champion level.
Adding to his latest win in the HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy, he will be seeking to make it six wins on the bounce in the Champions Mile, which could further cement his status as one of the very best milers in the world. Perhaps Able Friend has been too dominant in the last few races, which has made overseas connections hesitant to send their horses to challenge him on his home turf. Having said that, I believe it is still an attractive race, and later you can find out from our Club’s website or various channels which opponents he will take on in this HK$14 million event in three weeks’ time.
Before then, we are going to have a few very tech-savvy evenings at Happy Valley as we will be hosting three Digital Nights at Happy Wednesday themed meetings, starting from tonight. Those who come to the races and participate in our games will also be in for the chance to win smartphones and free air tickets to Seoul. Please come along with your friends to enjoy a fun night out at the Valley this evening.
For the eight races on the card, the fifth race of the night is the Hong Kong Exchanges Challenge Cup, a Class 3 event at 1200 metres, with two last-start winners, Multiexpress and Dilly, expected to go forward to ensure a realistic pace. Dilly is a New Zealand import that came to Hong Kong on a rating of 71 and won first up in the Class 3 Police Cup last month over 1000m when he rallied from just off the pace. He was a two-time winner in New Zealand over 1200m and is a place chance in the step up in trip tonight.
Cour Valant returns to Happy Valley after two solid efforts at Sha Tin and is a win and place chance in the race. He should be placed midfield in the run and looks to be in top form after a good trial at the Valley in late March. All Win Boy is another horse reaching top form and is a three-time winner at Happy Valley. He is well drawn but will come from the back and should be running on for a place chance. Brilliant Dream makes his first start at Happy Valley and drops back in distance. He is a place chance despite the outside draw.
The Ewo Challenge Trophy is the third race of the evening at 1650m. Robust Momentum is in good form and was a course, class and distance winner in March. He is a win and place chance as he may benefit from a slow tempo as he will be on the pace and given every chance. Happy Rocky is a solid place chance as he drops back to Class 4 and is a two-time winner this season over the course and distance. He will need to overcome the slow pace and is known as a horse that does his best work coming from the back. Griffindor is also a place chance from his good draw along with Commandant, a horse that carries a light weight and can well positioned in the run.
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