It was a bit disappointing, although not surprising, to see our two Hong Kong horses Lucky Year and Circuit Land finish unplaced at the international meeting in Korea last Sunday. From the outset, it was quite obvious that they struggled on the deep sand track in Seoul and were not able to perform to their usual level. Unlike Super Jockey, the 2016 winner of the Korea Sprint, who had proven his ability to handle a deep sandy track, both of the Hong Kong runners were unproven and one could see from the outset they would struggle.
After a busy opening to our season, I have had the chance to catch up on some of the main overseas racing. Believe it or not, the 2017 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races are not that far off and we know several horses from these top-season races in Europe often make the trip to Hong Kong for our big race week. It was quite an eventful weekend in Ireland and France. Decorated Knight landed his third Group 1 win of the season in the Irish Champion Stakes while in France, a host of trial races for the Arc day next month were held at Chantilly. Top miler Ribchester was among the winners of the day, but to my personal interest I was thrilled to see the German-trained Dschingis Secret, owned by Hong Kong-based Mr Horst Pudwill, take the G2 Prix Foy, a main prep event for the Arc race.
Dschingis Secret needs soft going to show his best while the opposite is true for Japanese runner Satono Diamond, who did not enjoy the soft going. It has been some while since a German-trained horse flourished in the very top level in Europe, say like Danedream’s win in the Arc which came six years ago. I will miss the Arc this year due to our National Day races in Hong Kong and later catch a flight for the annual IFHA General Assembly in Paris, but it will be interesting to follow and available to our fans via simulcast.
Back to our Happy Valley races tonight, I am certain to meet many American friends on course as we will be hosting a race with a distinguished history, the Fakei Cup. The final race of the evening is a very competitive Class 2 affair the Washington D.C. Handicap, which is the sporting highlight of today’s races, featuring a field of 12 over 1650m. The pace is expected to be good as Victory Marvel led a field of sprinters last week, so one would expect he will lead this field with ease. Classic Emperor consistently likes to race handy and should be close to the speed with Packing Dragon being close too. Speedy Longwah is likely to save ground while Dr Listening and California Joy are both at risk of being caught wide. Sichuan Dar could enjoy a nice trip from midfield or farther back.
Packing Dragon is working well and given the weight off his back thanks to Matthew Poon’s seven-pound claim, makes him at least a place chance. Sichuan Dar is working well and a two-time winner over course and distance which makes him a win and place chance in my view. Dr Listening, ridden by Zac Purton, and Friends Of Ka Ying, ridden by Joao Moreira, are both place chances.
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