Following the partial collapse of the Married Inspectors’ Quarters at the Central Police Station compound just over a week ago, myself and our team have been focusing on making sure the building and its immediate neighbourhood are safe. Despite some heavy rainstorms in the past few days, emergency propping work at the east wing of the building has been completed and the Buildings Department has declared the building safe and stable. As a result the Police reopened Arbuthnot Road Tuesday in time for the evening rush hour. We do appreciate this closure caused significant inconvenience to the public, and I want to apologise for this, but I hope everyone understands the urgent need to get this work done as quickly as possible.
Having returned from Japan earlier this week, it was a bit disappointing to see Contentment finished unplaced in the Yasuda Kinen last Sunday. The race was slowly-run and though our Hong Kong chance settled in a solid position, stalking Maurice early in the run, he copped a few bumps and was one of the first off the bridle in a race that was run the opposite of many such premier events in Japan. Contentment did not have a response when the pacemaker, and eventual winner Logotype quickened. It was a great season for Contentment and now he is off to his deserved summer break. I look forward to seeing him coming back even stronger and sharper next season.
Contentment’s adventure was not the last among our elite horses this season, as that status goes to Gold-Fun and he will take on the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Saturday week. This Richard Gibson trainee had his latest preparation with a barrier trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday. I’ve recapped the video of the trial and the horse seems in very good order. Benefitted from a short break earlier, he should enjoy be at a good physical level at the moment and will face a field that is lacking a confirmed superstar sprinter. It’s also worth noting Gold-Fun is our first top sprinter to run at Royal Ascot since Little Bridge won the King’s Stand Stakes in 2012.
Joao Moreira reached the 150-win mark at Sha Tin last Sunday and he will seek to further extend his mark in our Dragon Boat Festival day race meeting at Happy Valley this afternoon. While you are enjoying our races, please don’t forget to join our Most Popular Jockey and Most Popular Horse voting, casting your votes to support your favourite jockeys and horses before our polling closes on 19 June.
We have 10 races in our card today. Today’s tenth race is the Lantau Island Handicap, a Class 2 event over 1,200 metres of the A course. There appears to be plenty of speed in this race, with Fabulous One very likely to lead. High Five and Accepted should position themselves behind Fabulous One with Apollo’s Choice and Back In Black getting a good inside trip behind them in midpack.
Fabulous One makes his return to Happy Valley after a fantastic season of four wins from seven starts. He was beaten just more than three lengths by Peniaphobia and will likely attempt to lead this race throughout. The solid pace he creates could really set the table for Back In Black, seeking his sixth win of the season at Happy Valley. A real course specialist this year, he is rarely a big winner and has overcome trouble in several races. Both are serious win and place chances, but I slightly lean towards Fabulous One who gets back to Class 2 and has drawn Zac Purton. High Five is a placing chance with the light weight of Kei Chiong aboard. He hasn’t been too far off in his last two races and could take advantage if the pace is really quick.
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