It was a key weekend of international racing with many of the world’s racing fans focused on Chantilly. The stellar filly Enable dominating the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in classy fashion with Frankie Dettori hailing the John Gosden trainee as the best filly he has ever ridden while emerging sprinting superstar Battaash ran away with ease in the Prix de l’Abbaye. In Japan, Red Falx again proved his dominance in the sprinting ranks with back-to-back wins in the G1 Sprinters Stakes while our runner Blizzard finished a strong creditable fifth behind.
I was in France earlier this week for the annual International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Conference, chairing a session titled “International Strategies – transitioning from a local to a global market,” which included the Japan Racing Association’s President and CEO, Masayuki Goto, France PMU’s Chairman and CEO Xavier Hurstel, and our own Executive Director, Customer & Marketing, Richard Cheung. Among the topics discussed was the growth of commingling on Hong Kong racing. It was particularly special to have Goto-san in the session, as it was the first time for the President of the JRA to join the annual IFHA Conference.
Last weekend, we also staged our first pattern races of the season at Sha Tin. John Moore’s stable managed a big-race double, both racing being won by longshots as Dashing Fellow took the National Day Cup and Beauty Generation led throughout in the Celebration Cup.
Some racing fans might perceive as a bit of surprise for both winners, but their performances were strong. That said, there are still many key races ahead on the road to the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. I was quite taken by the performance of our defending Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Only, who ran on very well despite his general lack of affinity for rain-affected surfaces. The next few weeks will be very exciting to follow these horses’ development. Many of our top horses are back in full work now, as multiple G1 winner, and our former Horse of the Year Werther, returning at the trials on Tuesday.
I hope you enjoyed a pleasant Mid-Autumn Festival. We will host a rare Thursday meeting at Happy Valley tonight, which marks the start of our popular Oktoberfest themed meetings. So please bring along your friends or family members to the Valley for a pint of beer and exciting races at our city racetrack this evening.
Among the eight races, the Tai Hang Handicap goes as Race 8 and is a Class 2 with an extended rating band from 105 to 80 over 1800m. The pace is expected to be slow which should favour horses on the pace. Packing Dragon likes to go forward and this race presents him a great chance to lead on his own. Beauty Prince should go forward too and settle just behind. Nassa and Marvel Hero are likely to track the leaders with Doyeni and Super Chic in midpack. Both Dinozzo and Dr Listening are projected to be behind midfield.
Packing Dragon and Beauty Prince will have the advantage of being in the front of the field and are place chances for me while Nassa should be well positioned behind the leaders. Nassa is a horse with further potential and is a win and place chance in my opinion. Dr Listening has to overcome being farther back in the field but should be fit from his last start and is a win and place chance for me too.
Comment
