I have returned from Japan after watching the Yasuda Kinen trackside at Tokyo on Sunday. Hong Kong’s runner Western Express gave our supporters something to cheer throughout the race. Having looked great in the parade ring and after travelling well early in the race, he had every chance to make ground turning for home, but the local contingent proved too strong and he had to settle for a midfield finish. It was a most credible run for the horse and the uphill portion of the stretch may have found-out his stamina limitations. In my view, you likely need a horse with 1800m stamina to have a top chance in this race, like that which we saw from Bullish Luck.
Japan has done an extraordinary job developing as a racing jurisdiction over the last three decades. They run only 25 Group 1 flat races over the course of the season. The most popular of their Group 1 contests is the year-ending Arima Kinen, which is always a great spectacle, while the Japan Cup and Yasuda Kinen both draw great fan engagement. The Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) is another big local favourite. These races are viewed as the most important for owners, breeders and racing fans.
The quality of their racing is superb and when comparing their best horses to the overall global population, I must say that I think their horses are generally rated lower than they should be.
We had another back-and-forth day between our two top jockeys on Sunday as Joao Moreira and Zac Purton each visited the winner’s enclosure on multiple occasions – Joao with a treble and Zac a double. The margin between them now stands at three with Moreira sidelined for the next two meetings on suspension. Both of these jockeys are tremendous athletes and have developed great personalities amongst our racing fans. These features often come out in the media and the Club’s own marketing platforms. Their back-and-forth battle is great fun, a race within each race. Moreira, known from his time in Singapore and even further exemplified when he came to Hong Kong, is the “Magic Man.” The tenacious Purton has been chasing Moreira for several years now in search of regaining the Champion Jockey crown. This unwavering resolve is admirable, and the “Zac Attack” moniker he has earned is well-placed.
We will see how the Zac Attack gets on in the absence of Moreira these next two meetings and all our fans will be anxious to see the Magic Man back to keep the battle going in the closing meetings of the season.
The eighth race tonight at Happy Valley is the Wyndham Handicap, a Class 3 event over 1650m of the A Course, and the pace is projected to be good. Lucky Time and Planet Star are likely to go forward with Lucky Girl sitting nearby. Multi Facets and Top Laurels both can race close to the pace with Right Honourable and General Dino behind. Little Dragon has not been as quick early in races and should be in mid-division or farther behind, along with Winston’s Lad. Friends Of Ka Ying and Pretty Bauhinia will be near the rear.
Lucky Time has been working very well and is about a neck away from having won three of his last four races. He remains in good form and is now drawn in barrier two. He is my main win and place chance. Planet Star continues to run well of late and steps into Class 3 for the first time in his career. He is another logical hope if he can handle the rise and is well-drawn to take advantage. Friends Of Ka Ying will have to manage a wide draw but ran on well last time and retains the services of the in-form Zac Purton. He is a place hope, along with recent winner Multi Facets and Pretty Bauhinia, who could run on under the 10-pound claimer Victor Wong if the pace is quick.
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