On Wednesday, we announced the full first-stage entries for the 2017 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races in December. It was great to see the support from many overseas connections, and we have 26 more individual horses entered for our four big races when compared to 2016, while the number of individual entries for each of the G1s was also higher than last year. Of particular note are the increases from the United Kingdom and Japan, two of the world’s leading jurisdictions.
Among the nominees there included three world-class gallopers, namely Arc runner-up Cloth Of Stars, European champion miler Ribchester, and 2015 Vase winner Highland Reel, all of whom were ranked in the top 10 in the latest edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. I spoke extensively with Andre Fabre when I was in Europe last week and he was quite keen on bringing Cloth Of Stars for the Vase, saying he firmly believes one needs to really point for Hong Kong long term in order to ensure success. He also mentioned to me about his willingness to host one of our local jockeys over the summer to work with him in Chantilly, understanding the French industry and his approach to the sport.
It is exciting to think of the prospect of seeing these terrific horses, along with many others, to potentially feature on our home turf. We are in the process of distributing invitations and I hope we will receive some affirmative responses from different horse connections.
Before we look forward to hearing further news related to our internationals, we shall first enjoy the only Happy Valley day race meeting of the season at our city racetrack tomorrow. My attention is focused on the last race, the Yip Fat Handicap, which is a Class 2 over 1200m. The pace is likely to be good to fast, which should help horses coming from the back.
Lightweights Jumbo Luck and Dalradian look to be the likely speed with Almababy pressuring too. Momentum Lucky and Sea Jade should track with Verbinsky nearby, and at risk for being caught wide. Line Seeker and House Of Fun are likely to be in midpack with Country Melody out wide. Southern Legend and Key Witness will probably settle rear of mid-division with Mr Genuine out the back.
This is a very open and competitive race and many are working well, notably House Of Fun, Sea Jade, Southern Legend and Mr Genuine. I am of the view these horses all have a win or place chance, but the horse I like the most is Southern Legend, who is in great form.
My second pick is Mr Genuine, who has to come from last, but with Purton aboard he should find his way forward. Sea Jade goes back to his favourite distance over 1200m and is a serious upcoming 4-year-old.
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