The Asian Racing Conference concluded in Mumbai on Thursday and we enjoyed some fantastic sessions on many topics that impact our industry, not to mention the warm hospitality of our hosts. I'm sure we will discuss more of the outcomes from this biennial conference in the coming weeks.
We have a fantastic event in Hong Kong this Sunday with our iRun Special Marathon, an event the Club has supported for the past five years. It is a fantastic way to build our understanding of the needs and capabilities of the intellectually challenged members of our community. This year, they are trying for a new Guinness World Record for the longest 'hug relay' and I wish them all the best for a successful event.
I am looking forward to our first International Group 1 meeting of the new year on Sunday as we host the G1 Stewards' Cup and HKG1 Centenary Sprint Cup – the former being ranked 16th in the World's Best 100 G1s, while the latter is among one of the 17 races that we will open to international runners next season.
Our two big races will feature most of our very best horses in the sprint, mile and middle distance categories, bar our popular reigning Horse of the Year Able Friend as he's now sidelined with an injury. Despite Able Friend's absence, there's still massive talents on show as the fields collectively include 7 G1 winners and 3 more HKG1 winners. I'm sure the races will be highly competitive and I look forward to seeing you all at Sha Tin tomorrow.
The Centenary Sprint Cup is a Hong Kong Group 1 and is a mouthwatering contest of the best sprinters in Hong Kong ridden by the best jockeys in the world. The pace is likely to be fast with Amber Sky leading and he is probably the fastest horse in the race. The question is how far he will go on the lead. Peniaphobia and Aerovelocity will be close behind with Gold-Fun and Not Listenin'tome nearby. Domineer might be caught wide in the early dash with Super Jockey, Frederick Engels behind them. I'm In Charge will be near the back with Charles The Great and Strathmore.
The fast pace should give horses coming from the back a better chance to catch the leaders. Peniaphobia is working very well and is my first choice with his old rival Gold-Fun right there. Aerovelocity and Not Listenin'tome are both working well too and are place chances. Strathmore, with Ryan Moore on board, can surprise all especially as the strong pace gives him a chance to come with a strong run from the back.
The Stewards' Cup is an International Group 1 race and one of the best mile races in the world. Even without Able Friend, it will still be in this top category given the depth of world-class milers in Hong Kong. The pace is expected to be good to slow which gives a slight advantage for horses in the front of the field.
A new face at top level, Multivictory could end up forward here even though he succeeded with different tactics last time out. Beauty Flame and Contentment are likely to be right in the mix too with Giant Treasure and Blazing Speed in mid-pack. Dan Excel could be hung wide. Luger should be behind mid-pack with the likes of Beauty Only, Military Attack, Rewarding Hero and Designs On Rome at the back.
Contentment and Giant Treasure are both working extremely well and are my top choices with Contentment as my favourite by a narrow margin. Luger is not fully fit but oozes class and is a place chance for me. Beauty Flame is another place chance with Multivictory as an outsider who can be placed too.
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