There are plenty of happenings from the overseas racing world in the past few days. Most of the talk is focused on the strong European entries heading for next weekend's Breeders' Cup, and in Australia, various top runners are gearing up for some of the big Carnival races, with a few hoping to make the cut for the field of 24 in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday week.
Locally we are also drumming up to those races of higher grade and bigger prizes. It will be the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy and Premier Bowl that come to the fore at Sha Tin tomorrow. Twelve months ago it was Military Attack and Aerovelocity who nailed their season's first win in these two HKG2 events. But there was a significant contrast in their subsequent results as the season developed – Military Attack failed to add another win in his five eventual runs, while Aerovelocity captured three G1 sprints in Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, announcing himself as one of the top sprinters in the world.
These two top horses will be putting the same race as their season's first target once again, taking on other established runners and fast improving stars. So does for our reigning Horse of the Year Able Friend, who will make his seasonal debut here. I know that trainer John Moore said earlier this week that Able Friend is in a better condition when compared to this time last year. So it's going to be an exciting rematch between Able Friend and Aerovelocity in the Premier Bowl, and I believe many racing fans will be eager to see if Able Friend can avenge the defeat on this occasion, though he is saddled with a wide draw in 14.
Also, I must mention that our Sunday finale, the Zenith Excellent Handicap, is a very exciting way to end the day, featuring some of our most exciting four-year-olds, Blizzard, Dashing Fellow, and last though not least, Thewizardofoz.
Apart from these smart horses on turf, I'm sure there will be plenty of smart gentlemen inside the racecourse too, as we will be hosting Hong Kong's first Gentleman's bow-tie day at Sha Tin tomorrow. I have already chosen my bow-tie for the occasion. Get you're the sharpest one from your closet and join us. I look forward to seeing you at tomorrow's stylish meeting.
The Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy is a HK Group 2 and structured as a handicap for horses rated 100 and above and has attracted a fantastic field of quality horses. The pace in the race is likely good to slow with a natural leader in Beauty Flame. Pleasure Gains typically goes forward with Blazing Speed likely being forced to sit outside him and might have to go forward more than usual to avoid traveling wide.
Dan Excel and Military Attack should be in midfield, which puts Contentment at risk of being wide along with Giant Treasure in a similar position. Beauty Only will be positioned behind midfield with Helene Super Star while Helene Happy Star and Dominant should be farther back. Also, it's worth noting that Beauty Only, Giant Treasure and Contentment are working very well.
Despite being at the risk of being wide I like Contentment most of all and he is my first pick with Beauty Only. Giant Treasure is one I like for a place especially. All three of these horses are getting significant weight advantages from the likes of top-rated horses like Blazing Speed and Military Attack.
The Premier Bowl is run as a Hong Kong Group 2 and advertised as a handicap for horses rated 95-plus. Aerovelocity, who is expected to go forward, only carries 124 pounds thanks to the top weight of 133 allocated to Able Friend. Natural speed horses like Amber Sky and Bundle Of Joy will ensure a good-to-fast pace which should help horses coming from the back like our Horse of the Year Able Friend and Charles The Great.
Gold-Fun should be well positioned behind the speed with Lucky Nine to his outside while Golden Harvest and Not Listenin'tome should be farther back with Tour De Force, Secret Sham and Dundonnell. Aerovelocity's trainer Paul O'Sullivan cautioned that he is different in his work then last year but I would not rule him out as a win and place chance.
Peniaphobia's first run this season was average and there have been some reports that he is not breathing well, but I still rate him as a win and place chance too. Gold-Fun should not be underestimated and he is working well and Not Listenin'tome is a better horse than last season. The fast pace should help Able Friend who is a fitter horse than last year to come with a strong run and to be placed.
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