Having obtained Group 1 status for its 2016 renewal when won by Australia’s sensational Chautauqua, the Chairman’s Sprint Prize is a relatively new international event in our fixture list. But given the high quality sprinters that Hong Kong produces, it was actually the highest-ranked Group 1 race run in Hong Kong during calendar year 2017.
This year’s edition is looking like a most competitive contest. While LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint winner Mr Stunning continues to exhibit his consistency at top level following a strong second in the Sprint Cup last out, Beat The Clock will be seeking a first Group 1 score as will the progressive Ivictory, who lowered the course record at Happy Valley over 1200m in early March.
Godolphin will have two imposing sprinters to join the race this year – Blue Point from Charlie Appleby’s string and Fine Needle out of Japan. As outlined this week by Simon Rowlands in one of the expert blogs for our Champions Day website, the team of handicappers at Timeform rates Blue Point at a mark of 126. That is the highest Timeform rating for any of the selected runners across the three races, albeit just narrowly, one point higher than Time Warp, Mr Stunning and Lucky Bubbles, who earned that mark winning this race a year ago. Speaking of Lucky Bubbles, he put in a very strong trial on Tuesday at Sha Tin and will seek to recapture the glory he attained in 2017.
I am really looking forward to Champions Day and all of the fun action that lies ahead. We have our festive Community Trophy meeting at Sha Tin on Saturday, but before then an eight race meeting at Happy Valley tonight. Race 6 is the Hong Kong Rugby Union Cup, a Class 3 handicap over 1200m of the B Course. The pace is projected to be good to slow.
Prince Harmony is likely to go forward while Double Valentine could sit behind him. Travel Emperor and I’m The Conquist are likely to drop in behind the top pair while Amazing is at risk of being trapped wide. Best Step and Spring Win could settle rear of midfield with Harrier Jet near the back and another who could race wide. Country Melody and Fast Most Furious are projected to have to come from well off the pace as it is projected, along with High Five and Starlight.
This is another very competitive race at our city track. Fast Most Furious was unlucky not to win last time when blocked for a clear run in the stretch. When he did get out, he just missed getting his nose down first and a repeat performance tonight without trouble makes him a major win and place hope. Spring Win has a much improved barrier than his last two starts and should get a nice trip just behind the speed and is another top contender for me.
Starlight has excelled at Happy Valley with five wins over this 1200m here, and was a respectable third behind Ivictory in his last start here. Drawn in 11, however, I have some reservations about the trip he might get and have him as more of a place chance. Amazing has four placings from six Hong Kong starts, three of them over this course and distance. He has a chance of being caught wide but should improve in his second start and is a place chance. Country Melody returns to Class 3 and while he might not get an ideal pace setup in this race, is another of the many potential contenders.
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