On Wednesday we announced the entries for the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup in April and also the Champions Mile and Chairman’s Sprint Prize in May. We are delighted to receive strong support from various local and overseas connections, including 111 horses entered, including 38 G1 winners.
Apart from three of the four winners of our international races in December, a few nominees will also feature in our simulcast card from Meydan tonight. I look forward to watching their performances in person. I have been in Dubai since Friday where we have a variety of meetings, including for the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the Asian Racing Federation Executive Committee.
For our Hong Kong trio, it was a mixed fortune for their draws in races here tonight. Dundonnell was drawn nicely in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, but Not Listenin’tome is drawn wide in the same race. But it looks like that it will be okay if they can race closer to speed early. This will be a challenging race, for sure, and a placing would be a great result for both horses.
And for Amazing Kids, he will jump from gate one in the Al Quoz Sprint as run over the Meydan straight. It might not be an ideal draw, but the horse won both his starts on the Sha Tin straight this season and jockey Joao Moreira is engaged for the ride.
I will support and cheer our runners from Meydan and I wish the connections best of luck in the race tonight. Personally, I believe Amazing Kids is our best chance in what is a more tactical Al Quoz Sprint now that this race is over 1200m instead of 1000m. I will be rushing back to Hong Kong late after the Dubai races and hopefully with a smiling Joao Moreira.
Tomorrow at Sha Tin we will also welcome a new jockey joining our ranks as Matthew Poon makes his first start. Poon did exceptionally well in Adelaide in the past two seasons, having landed more than 100 wins during his stay and was crowned champion apprentice there last year. He’s booked for nine rides in his first local race meeting. We shall see if this young rider can make an instant impact tomorrow.
While travelling, I took a look at the form for our Class 2 feature, the Lusitano Challenge Cup Handicap. Over 1600m, the pace seems as though it will be good-to-slow, with Lucky Girl and What Else But You likely to race forward. Solar Hei Hei should enjoy a nice position on the rail with Winner’s Way nearby. Mighty Maverick could be in midfield with California Disegno and newcomer Rocketeer there too. Santa Fe Sun and Dee Dee d‘Or will be near the back with Baba Mama and Gonna Run.
Solar Hei Hei will have Matthew Poon aboard and only carries 117 pounds. With a better draw in gate four following his last two races, it could allow him to settle in a very nice position and is a good win and place chance for our newest apprentice. Winner’s Way is my narrow choice in this field, dropping back into handicap company. His run behind Beauty Generation earlier this season, and then a good fourth in the Hong Kong Classic Mile about three lengths behind Rapper Dragon, has him at the top of the handicap. 1800m was probably too long for him anyway and while 1400m might be his best trip, I expect him to be very competitive here.
What Else But You steps up to Class 2 after two wins, one a dead heat, in Class 3 and is a placing chance. Baba Mama will get the services of Joao Moreira, but must deal with a wide draw that might hurt his winning chances in this race.
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