The picture for FWD Champions Day looks much clearer after Wednesday’s selections ceremony and, for me, this relatively new venture is maturing well.
This is just the second year of running our three spring showpiece G1 contests on the same day and recent evidence makes interesting reading.
In 2017 and 2018 we welcomed five and four international visitors for the three features but this year we could have as many as nine, with six international G1 winners from Australia, Japan and New Zealand entered for the Chairman’s Sprint Prize and the FWD QEII Cup.
Santa Ana Lane clearly deserves to be rated one of the world’s very best sprinters after his runaway win in last week’s T J Smith Stakes at Randwick. His presence adds greatly to this year’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize, while connections of star Japanese mares Deirdre and Lys Gracieux will feel they have unfinished business in the QEII Cup after they finished second here in HKIR week.
Of course, it would have been great to have leading international milers to test Beauty Generation in the FWD Champions Mile, but superstar horses tend to make potential rivals choose other options once they establish dominance.
It happened with Frankel in Europe and it has happened with Winx in Australia, but it is very important to savour these true champions while we have them.
The remarkable Winx recorded her 33rd consecutive victory in what was billed as her swansong in today’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
What she and Chris Waller’s team have done to promote the sport of horse racing in recent years has been priceless and Beauty Generation and company will have their own chance to shine on what should be a memorable day at Sha Tin in two weeks’ time.
Zac Purton needs one winner to complete his century and may secure it early on Sunday if reports about John Moore’s Aethero in the opening Griffin race prove accurate, while Joao Moreira faces a challenge in the closing Class 2 Topaz Handicap (1400m) as Champion’s Way is drawn 14 of 14 as he bids to extend his unbeaten run to five.
Regency Bo Bo is the likely leader here if he breaks well and the pace is unlikely to be too strong. Champion’s Way will probably use the speed he has shown over 1200m to track him and John Size’s gelding finishes his races in a fashion suggesting this longer trip will suit. He has been so impressive in improving his rating from 52 to 90 that he has to be rated as a win and place chance again.
That said, there are several other interesting horses on show. Good Standing and Superich disappointed on their latest start but are very useful. Beauty Spirit showed he is progressing by winning gamely from stall 14 last month, while Kasa Farasi is also a clear place chance moving up to Class 2 as he is on the up and looks the sort who does no more than enough once he hits the front.
Big Party is another young horse who will command attention on his return from a break in the Class 3 Ruby Handicap (1200m). Frankie Lor’s grey was very impressive when last seen on 1 January but has been absent since and moved a little awkwardly after missing the break in a recent trial. He has the speed to lead and go well despite a 13-point rise but this is a new test on his first run for 15 weeks.
Mr Croissant is progressing well after a decisive win under Ryan Moore on BMW Hong Kong Derby day. He looks a clear place chance receiving 13lb from Big Party as he moves up to Class 3, while Racing Fighter has been in fine form for a while at this level and shapes as if the return to 1200m could suit him well.
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