We closed the book on one thrilling chapter of Douglas Whyte’s professional life at Sha Tin on last weekend and now look forward to the next one.
Of course, everyone dreams of the perfect end to days like Sunday but Hong Kong racing is intensely competitive and, despite two seconds and a slightly unlucky third, it wasn’t to be in the chase for one last winner.
But Douglas was the star of a fitting farewell day, choosing just the right words as we paid tribute to his epic career in the paddock after the fourth race and then saying goodbye to hundreds of fans who stayed on after the final race to shake his hand and express thanks for all he has done for Hong Kong racing.
Most people would be keen to take a break after the emotion of an occasion like Sunday but I know Douglas well enough to be aware that he will already be putting careful plans in place for his training career.
The further knowledge he gains from his trips to work with top trainers in Europe and Australia will prepare him well for the start of his own training career in September. He clearly has the tools to thrive in that role, but now the focus turns to another big week beginning with an extremely strong midweek card at Happy Valley.
Born In China won the Happy Valley Trophy under Douglas on this card last year and is back again for what looks a very strong Class 1 contest due off at 9.15.
Telecom Brothers can steal first prize away from current leader Country Star on the final night of the HK$1 million Hong Kong Airlines Million Challenge if he can record his fourth Valley success of the season in the same race.
Rise High returns from a spell at Conghua in another valuable Class 1 at 9.45, which leads into a weekend featuring the rematch between Beauty Generation and Beat The Clock in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and some very strong BMW Hong Kong Derby Contenders going head to head for the Hong Kong Classic Cup.
As ever, this is a fascinating phase of our racing calendar. The emphasis on quality which underpins so much of what we do really comes to the fore at this time of year and the next few days and weeks are among the most exciting and informative of the whole season.
The Happy Valley Trophy is a Class 1 over 1200m with a competitive field of 10 and a possible huge payday for Telecom Brothers. Victory here would be worth HK$3 million to the Telecom Brothers Syndicate through the winner’s prize money, the High Achievement Bonus and the winner’s share of the Hong Kong Airlines Million Challenge.
The pace will be good with California Fortune, Sea Jade and Telecom Brothers setting the early tempo and Gunnison close up in the box seat position.
Many of the runners have a strong preference for the Valley. Last year’s winner Born In China has finished in the Quinella in seven of 10 races here and Super Hoppy and Super Turbo are also much more effective over the city track. Super Hoppy finished strongly in his last start and is a win and place chance with his light weight and good draw. He will need his best to win as there are many good chances in the field.
Gunnison comes into the race in top form and returns from his Conghua training base after a short break. He should get every chance from his good draw and is a place chance. Wishful Thinker is working well and is another in career-best form. He is a place chance along with Telecom Brothers.
The seventh race is the Class 1 Shan Kwong Handicap with Circuit Glory once again in the position of sole leader over the 1650m trip. Turin Redstar is likely to push forward from his outside draw along with Packing Dragon to keep the pace honest.
Rise High has been working well and looks another to have benefited from time in Conghua, during which he has regained body weight. Though he has never raced at Happy Valley, he did trial well here recently and is a win and place chance.
Turin Redstar must overcome the wide draw but should be able to cross over and secure a good position. He has run well over course and distance and is a place chance along with Citron Spirit and Litterateur.
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