Tomorrow’s Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse meeting is one of the most celebrated days of our season. Not only is it a race with a storied history, but the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day has become a fantastic can’t miss event. While there is plenty of focus on the great racing action, off the course there will be much focus on glamour and beauty. Ladies’ days are quite popular around the world, but the partnership the Club has enjoyed with Sa Sa for more than a decade has brought this meeting to a new level and is one of the most popular days on our calendar. The G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap is also a key race on the road to the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. Last year’s edition had a big impact on the HKIR as second finisher Helene Paragon was later second in the Hong Kong Mile, and fourth home Secret Weapon filled the runner-up spot in the Hong Kong Cup.
There is plenty of chatter around the world about the HKIR and some invitations have been sent, and a few accepted already, from overseas horses for the big day. Many eyes will be on the big racing in America and Australia, with possible HKIR pointers to emerge. From our British Champions Day simulcast a fortnight ago, we witnessed Irish training maestro Aidan O’Brien matching the late Bobby Frankel’s record of most G1 wins in a season, with his trainee Hydrangea taking his 25th G1 in 2017 in the British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes. The master of Ballydoyle needed to wait just one more week to make the record as his own with the win of his two-year-old Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy. Aidan could increase his impressive tally this weekend with a number of chances at the Breeders’ Cup meeting in Del Mar.
Our racing fans will also enjoy some strong supporting races at Sunday’s meeting, with the unbeaten Hot King Prawn making his seasonal debut in Race 3 and a very competitive group going in Race 10, the Elizabeth Arden Handicap, which includes two-time winners this season Fifty Fifty and Pingwu Spark, as well as the local unveiling of Group 1 winner Sacred Elixir.
As for the main event, the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap has drawn a field of 14, and is run over 1800m of the C+3 course, going as Race 7 on our card. Time Warp is a reliable leader and likely to go forward tomorrow. Doyeni should also take up a close position with Horse Of Fortune and Romantic Touch close. Nassa and Consort are likely to settle midpack with Rocketeer behind those, along with Eagle Way.
Time Warp is working very well and had a very good first up run plus with Joao Moreira on board, is my first choice for win and a place. Doyeni should be well positioned too and with the C+3 course, it is usually an advantage to be good positioned on the pace.
Eagle Way rallied late in his last start over 1400m which is short of his best distance and I see him as a place chance. The same applies for Horse Of Fortune who rallied late in his last run. It will be interesting to see how Rocketeer performs, as he showed little dash in his first start this season and he is carrying only a light weight.
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