Yesterday, the exciting news came that Hong Kong has been promoted from a Part II to a Part I jurisdiction in the “Blue Book,” the industry’s official cataloguing standard. This recognition accurately reflects our world-class standard, and its direct impact applies to the global breeding industry as the performances from Hong Kong’s open international group races will now be treated on the level in the pedigree pages of horses on offer around the world.
I must thank both IRPAC, the International Race Planning Advisory Committee, which approved the promotion and its subsequent ratification by SITA, the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers, but a very special thanks must go to our owners. The Hong Kong owners bring top class horses to Hong Kong year in and year out, steadily improving the quality standard of our races. This consistent improvement has made it possible to achieve the highest level of treatment in the Blue Book.
Back in January we announced that nearly all of our Group-level races would be opened to international competition, a first-step to prepare for Part I inclusion. Seventeen of our races, currently holding Hong Kong Group status will be elevated to international Group status for next season. The 4YO Series remains restricted to Hong Kong resident horses and those races are treated internationally as “listed” contests.
Tomorrow we have two events which currently hold Hong Kong Group status but will be open and at full international Group level at their next running, the Chairman’s Trophy and Sprint Cup, respectively run over 1600 and 1200 metres. Both races have drawn competitive but select fields of eight, with quite a few of the runners aiming for the big international races to come.
The Sprint Cup is run as a Hong Kong Group 2 over 1200m. Rad typically goes forward and while he does not always lead, he will be prominent in the run and they might have to be on the lead with a slow pace likely. Dundonnell and Lucky Bubbles will be handy while Packing Pins should get a midpack trip. Amazing Kids and Divine Boy should be behind them with Charles The Great and Frederick Engels out the back.
The slow pace will help horses on the pace. Lucky Bubbles and Amazing Kids are working very well and there is not much between these two. Lucky Bubbles should get an ideal run but Amazing Kids has a tremendous turn of foot and is my first choice but only by a short margin. Dundonnell is training very well and was held up in his last run. He should be well positioned and has for me a place chance.
The Chairman's Trophy is run as a Hong Kong Group 2 over 1600m. Dashing Fellow led from start to finish last time over a shorter trip and should be the early leader in a race that is projected to be good to slow. Contentment will be in close attendance and Multivictory should be just there too. Blazing Speed and Beauty Only are likely next in the order with Secret Weapon and Rewarding Hero. Over this shorter trip, I would expect Designs On Rome to be an early backmarker.
Even we have only an eight-horse field it is still a very competitive group. Contentment is working very well and is my first choice especially drawn well and being positioned just behind the pace. Beauty Only is working well too is a place chance for me. Rewarding Hero has to come from the back of the field and is an interesting outsider with Designs On Rome a place chance too for me despite the distance of 1600m being on the short side.
In other racing news, it is a pity that Luger retired this week because he was a horse of amazing quality. On the international front, today was Doncaster Mile Day and I highly recommend you go to our web site and look at the outstanding performances of Chautauqua in the TJ Smith and Champion racemare Winx in the Doncaster Mile.
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