Werther was the star at Sha Tin on Sunday as our reigning Horse of the Year took his second Group 1 of the season, which also happens to be our final Group 1 of the current campaign, with a handy three-length score in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup. Narrowly beaten in this race last year, there was not much concern in the late running as the Tavistock gelding produced an authoritative display under his regular partner Hugh Bowman.
Considering he suffered a health setback early this term and made just five appearances all season, I would say it was surely a rewarding season for Werther. It was a particularly special run for jockey Hugh Bowman, who earned his 15th G1 win this campaign, helped along undoubtedly, by super mare Winx.
Young South African jockey Callan Murray also had a day to savour as he made another important step in his local career by winning his first pattern race in Hong Kong, and his first win ever at Sha Tin, with Lucky Year in the G3 Sha Tin Vase. At odds of 88/1, Lucky Year was the highest-priced pattern race winner of the season.
While Hong Kong might have had its run of Group 1 races for the term, the action continues this weekend in Japan as we still have two elite horses running in the Yasuda Kinen this Sunday – recent Champions Mile winner Contentment and LONGINES Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Only. Christophe Lemaire will be one of the key figures in this race on Sunday, as he’s the man of the moment in Japanese racing, having won three Group Ones in three consecutive weekends, including the Japanese Derby with Rey De Oro last week. Hong Kong is seeking its third win in the Yasuda Kinen after Fairy King Prawn and Bullish Luck won the race in 2000 and 2006, respectively, and I look forward to being there to cheer on our horses on Sunday. Please be sure to follow all the news and simulcast information coming out later this week.
Tonight at Sha Tin is for our all-weather specialists with their final all-dirt meeting of the season. The seventh race is the Cafeteria Handicap run over 1650m and is a Class 2 event. King Genki is likely to go forward after leading throughout last time under Zac Purton, and there is every reason to think he will go forward again, with the pace projected to be good. Time Warp should roll forward too stepping up in trip. Both Solar Hei Hei and Little Dragon are likely next with What Else But You midfield. People’s Knight and Vanilla should be in midfield with Friends Of Ka Ying and Inventor behind them. Gonna Run should settle at the rear.
I would not be surprised if the speed is pretty good in this race. People’s Knight should be in a very good spot and is working very well. He is my first choice in a very competitive race with Vanilla, a three-time winner over course and distance as my second choice. Little Dragon and King Genki are both course and distance winners. Along with Friends Of Ka Ying, I would not be surprised if they are involved in a close finish.
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