Hong Kong has a big tradition of equestrian sport, and last night I was pleased to attend the opening of one of the most prestigious events of the equestrian year, the Longines Masters of Hong Kong, which is being held at AsiaWorld-Expo. In fact this is the biggest show jumping event in Asia, with some of the most famous names in world show jumping taking part. The Club is the ‘Founding Partner” for the event.
Getting a taste of the action were 2,000 school children 
and special guests nominated by charities and NGOs, all sponsored by the Club. And with the HKJC Race of the Riders they were in for a real treat. This event, which is unique to Hong Kong,partners four Hong Kong jockeys with four top equestrian riders in a relay race over the jumps. The team with the fastest time and fewest faults wins. Naturally everyone was pleased to see some familiar jockeys – Neil Callan, Derek Leung, Vincent Ho and Joao Moreira. It was a thrilling contest and an impressive demonstration of riding skill. In the end, we celebrated the German-Brazilian victory of equestrian Daniel Deusser and our champion jockey Joao Moreira in the speed challenge. My congratulations to everyone for such a fantastic display of sportsmanship.
On our racing, I hope you are all prepared for the big races to come in the next fortnight as some fantastic stakes races are on offer for two consecutive weekends, starting with the second leg of the Four-Year-Old series, the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin tomorrow.
For those elite four-year-olds this 1800m event shapes up as the last major opportunity for them to make tune-ups in a race, prior to the assignment in the BMW Hong Kong Derby a month later. But for other fringe runners, a decent performance here will definitely help boost their chance to obtain a starting berth in the Derby. In recent years, we have seen some less-fancied runners land the prize, and only one favourite (Floral Pegasus – 2007) in the last 14 seasons.
Sun Jewellery and Werther are the winner and runner-up in the Hong Kong Classic Mile last month and they are the leading hopefuls for this race tomorrow. The former bids to follow Floral Pegasus in 2007 to become another horse completing a Classic Mile / Classic Cup double, also another Classic Cup win for owner Tung Moon Fai who won it with Unique Jewellery in 2009. On the other hand a success for Werther will bring John Moore a third win in this race in five years. Anyway I expect it being an interesting race for all.
Twelve runners contest in this HK$10 million event this year. Green Dispatch wore blinkers in a recent trial and showed speed, so he could go forward where he would join Friends Of Ka Ying, who was forwardly placed last time over a shorter trip. Sun Jewellery will likely be just behind them with California Disegno and Eastern Express nearby. Werther should be midpack with Blizzard and White Magic, while the likes of Consort and Giovanni Canaletto will be at the rear.
The pace is expected to be slow which favours horses in the front of the field and even horses with limited stamina have a better chance to stay the distance of 1800m.
Werther is working extremely well and the step up in distance from 1600m to 1800m will suit him. He got only a clear run with 200m to go last time and accelerated well. He’s the horse to beat in this race. Sun Jewellery had an ideal trip last time and is in my opinion the best four-year-old in Hong Kong currently, but it’s a question if the 1800m or more will suit him. He should be better positioned in the race than he did in his last start. He is working well and should be the only real threat to Werther, especially with the slow pace and his ability to run fast last sections.
Blizzard ran a very good race last time and the distance of 1800m will stretch him. The slow pace is of concern from him because he over-raced last time and his draw in gate 10 may pose a risk for him to be wide, which will not help his chances. Friends Of Ka Ying has shown improvement and he should get a good position. He may surprise here even he’s not proven over 1800m. Giovanni Canaletto made an encouraging debut and is the choice of Joao Moreira. He will come from the back of the field, but with his proven 2000m form he’s a horse to watch. Eastern Express is an improving horse and has no problem with the distance but is at risk of being kept wide. The race may come a little bit early for him but I see him still as a potential place chance.
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