Experience tells us that we should never take too much for granted in racing and last Sunday at Sha Tin proved the point yet again.
A day that produced two track records and so many talking points started with another impressive success for our Horse of the Year Beauty Generation and the way he won the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile in record time despite a troubled trip proved yet again that Hong Kong has a world-class horse to be proud of.
Hot King Prawn continued his progress towards the top of a very strong sprint division by finding just enough to hold Mr Stunning in the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint, but the BOCHK Jockey Club Cup produced the sort of unexpected result that can happen when the leaders fight each other hard right from the off.
Full marks to Eagle Way and Silvestre de Sousa for taking advantage, but Time Warp, Glorious Forever and Pakistan Star clearly didn’t perform to their best after that early battle and connections will be hoping for a very different tactical scenario in the LONGINES HKIR on 9 December.
The last few days have been very busy as the final international acceptances for our four international G1 contests come in and, once again, we can look forward to a wide range of high-class winners joining us from all over the world.
It’s great to see three of last year’s HKIR winners – namely Mr Stunning, Beauty Generation and Time Warp – leading what looks a very strong home team but we always aim to have the strongest international challenge possible and this year’s Japanese horses in particular look a very powerful group with just over two weeks to go.
There is a Japanese theme to the entertainment again on tonight’s Happy Valley card and also an interesting battle for a ticket to the LONGINES IJC, with Douglas Whyte and Chad Schofield both seeking to overtake the suspended Matthew Poon for the 12th and final place.
Matthew is one ahead of Douglas and Chad, who are tied on 13 winners, but Douglas is just ahead on countback of place finishes.
Chad’s best of a winner from his five rides comes on Khaki in R3, while Show Mission (R2) and Telecom Brothers (R8) are at least place chances. On the other hand, Douglas also got five rides with London Master (R4) having a place chance. The 13-time Champion Jockey should end the night with two strong chances on Happy Dragon and Iron Boy in R7 and R8, especially the latter one, so the stage looks set for a close and exciting finish.
Tonight’s fifth race is the Class 3 Wayfoong Centenary Bowl over 1650 metres with High Volatility and Blocker Dee expected to set a good pace on the C+3 course which often suits on-pace runners.
High Volatility has finished second in each of his last three races at Sha Tin but his best success has come at Happy Valley. His good form coupled with his proven ability over course and distance make him a win and place chance.
Har Har Heart is drawn well and enters this race after a promising effort in his last start when he was taken back from his outside gate. He should get an easier run this time and is also a win and place chance. It is interesting to see that John Size sent the horse back to Conghua after his most recent run two weeks ago.
Faithful Trinity is also worth noting. He won over course and distance on his first start this season and was found to have blood in his trachea after running over 1800m last time. He is also a place chance.
Let’s Take It Easy will be taken back from his wide draw but remains a place chance along with Happy Sebring as both horses are going well.
Let’s look forward to enjoying the Konnichiwa Happy Wednesday Japan Night during which we will also unveil the LONGINES HKIR selected runners, who will be competing in the four exciting Group 1s on the second Sunday of December.
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