Next week we will reveal the selected runners for the 2016 BMW Hong Kong Derby, and it certainly seems there will be several obvious candidates. One question that has been asked a few times since the Hong Kong Classic Cup was in relation to the handicapping changes to Eastern Express, the deadheat third in that race, and fifth-placer Giovanni Canaletto.
Eastern Express was promoted five points in the ratings for his performance where he finished ahead of Giovanni Canaletto, who was promoted ten points. The existing handicapping policy which governs this adjustment states: “The maximum rating increase for horses placed second to fifth in a race shall be 5 rating points except that, in the season during which horses have their first race start in Hong Kong, the maximum rating increase for them when they are placed second to fifth in that season shall be 10 rating points.”
As this is the second season in which Eastern Express has raced in Hong Kong, the maximum increase he could be assigned is five points while Giovanni Canaletto, in his first season, was promoted the maximum of ten.
The Club reviews policies as conditions warrant and this situation may have shown a limitation in our existing handicapping policy. We will be reviewing it in the coming weeks and will advise our findings at the appropriate time.
Dubai is the most popular destination at this time of the year. I found that since the pioneering champion Indigenous featured in the Dubai World Cup in 2000, our runners made more than 50 starts combined previously in Nad Al Sheba and now in Meydan. In total they notched seven wins and 14 placings, which is a respectable percentage rate and figure by every standard.
I’m looking forward to seeing how Rich Tapestry and Gun Pit perform tonight, with the former looking for his second win in the Mahab Al Shimaal and the latter becoming our first runner in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge – Round 3. Both are anticipating to run on the big night at the end of the month. Rich Tapestry is clearly in form after his Al Shindagha Sprint win and faces a surprisingly small field of five rivals in the hopes to keep his streak going.
Gun Pit has drawn a tougher assignment in the Maktoum Challenge, with Keen Ice in from America (and with Ryan Moore aboard, no less), along with Kiaran McLaughlin’s Watershed, plus UAE Derby winner Mubtaahij back over his preferred distance. I’m sure many you will join me in watching their performances during our live simulcast this evening.
Tomorrow at Sha Tin we will host the first leg of our annual interport event, the Hong Kong Macau Trophy. It’s a Hong Kong Group Three event run under handicap conditions. Master Of Puppets will likely take up the running as he has done in the past, and it should lead to a good-to-fast pace. This scenario will likely be handy for those running from off the pace. I would expect Dashing Fellow, Super Lifeline and Divine Calling in the second or third flight, along with Eroico. Apollo’s Choice should be in midfield or farther back with Tour De Force and Travel Renyi. Packing Llaregyb should be near the back.
Apollo’s Choice, who adds Joao Moreira and blinkers for this race, has faced some good company of late and will likely be suited by the solid early pace. He is my main win and place chance. Eroico is back at Sha Tin where he has been much more successful. He should get a good position with a draw in four and is a solid placing chance for me. All You Wish also gets blinkers reapplied and could be a placing threat if the early speed is particularly fast.
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