I was in Conghua yesterday visiting our Conghua Training Centre site and must say that I am very pleased with the progress of construction and look forward to its opening in August. The racing action really picks-up tomorrow at Sha Tin with our ten race card for Bank of China (Hong Kong) Raceday with three Group 2 events, all key pointers for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. The excitement of that week to come in December was amplified on Wednesday when we announced the lineup of world-class jockeys that will join us for the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley.
The reigning IFHA LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Ryan Moore will be here along with last year’s IJC winner Hugh Bowman. These two superior riding talents are neck-and-neck in the 2017 World’s Best Jockey race, with Bowman carrying a small margin heading into the final few races of the competition. Of course, the award will be presented at our HKIR Gala Dinner for the fourth consecutive year and is a nice way to celebrate a season of tremendous success.
A host of other champions are amongst this year’s IJC roster, including last year’s French champion jockey who will enjoy a short-term contract in HK later this season, Pierre-Charles Boudot. Brazilian sensation Leandro Henrique will add even more interest given the tremendous success he has enjoyed at home, and should yield for some interesting conversation with fellow countrymen Joao Moreira and Silvestre de Sousa.
I will offer some more thoughts on the other champion jockeys visiting us during IJC week, but I cannot deny that I am already excited to see this year’s group on 6 December at Happy Valley. On Sunday, though, three tremendous races await, the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint, Mile and BOCHK Jockey Club Cup. Last season’s Group 1 winners Werther, Beauty Only, Helene Paragon and Lucky Bubbles are amongst the mix, as well as several up-and-comers.
The first of these three races is the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup run as race six over 2000m. The race is expected to be run at a good-to-slow pace which could lead to a tactical race if Time Warp is left alone in the lead, which is without doubt. But will any other horse challenge him? Harbour Master tried before, but those tactics did not work. Doyeni should track Time Warp and get a good run. Werther should settle midfield with Nassa stalking him from the outside.
Werther is working well and his first-up run this season over 1600m was good, and his fitness has further increased even if he is being trained to reach top form in December for the HKIR. Werther can run a very strong last 400m and is the favourite to win this race even if he carries five pounds more than the opposition. Time Warp is working very well too and with his last run over 1800m is progressing nicely and is my second choice.
Nassa is a very talented horse from South Africa and it took him some time to get to Hong Kong due to quarantine regulations, but he is coming back to his best with an impressive win in the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap and is my next choice. Gold Mount was a very expensive import based on his overseas credentials and he is coming into his best too, which was demonstrated by his easy win in his seasonal debut over 1800m, and I see him as a place chance.
The seventh race is the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint and has assembled some of the best sprinters, not just in Hong Kong, but in the world. The pace is anticipated to be good. Bad Boy and Peniaphobia should be the early pacemakers with Lucky Year and D B Pin settling forward, Lucky Bubbles should settle midpack with Thewizardofoz behind. Mr Stunning should be near the rear.
Lucky Bubbles has been unlucky on several occasions including in his last run but he is my first choice because he is working very well, plus the consideration of his excellent last run. He was held for a run at the top of the straight and had to shift for a clear run before finishing strongly. He is my first choice with Thewizardofoz, who is also working very well and his last trial win was outstanding. He likely needs a little bit of luck from his inside draw, but when he is at his best, he can beat any sprinter in the world with his devastating turn of foot.
Amazing Kids is another star from the John Size yard and he will have to come from the back and needs some luck in the run too. In his last start he has to shift out to get a clear run and finished strongly and I see him as a place chance. The same applies for Mr Stunning who was very impressive in his last win with his fast finish when coming from midfield. He is not as well drawn in gate 11 and will likely be behind midfield which will give him not as much of an advantage in relation to the position of Lucky Bubbles and therefore have him as a place hope.
The BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile is run as race 8 and it is a very competitive race. The pace is likely to be good to slow with Beauty Generation taking a position early with Winner’s Way nearby. Western Express should settle midfield with Jolly Banner, while Beauty Only is likely to be behind midfield. The trio of Helene Paragon, Seasons Bloom and Joyful Trinity are all anticipated to settle out the back.
Beauty Only’s first two starts were not impressive but I believe he is better than what he showed in his previous starts. He is a win and place chance for me as is Beauty Generation who has blossomed this season with two wins and is working well. Derek Leung should be able to control the pace from the front of the field. Helene Paragon makes his season debut and is working extremely well and I would not rule him out for at least a place.
Seasons Bloom was a little bit disappointing in his last start when he finished second to Beauty Generation but I still see him as a place chance. Western Express is still a horse with further potential but at this stage he is more a place chance. Joyful Trinity is always a horse that can surprise and with the progress he has made in training, he should not be neglected at least for a place.
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