The first day of July is always very significant in the Hong Kong racing calendar.
This year’s Reunification Raceday marks the 22nd anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and, as ever, we will mark it with a holiday meeting which takes place in the long-established spirit of “Ma Zhao Pao” or “Racing Will Continue”.
Hong Kong and its people have witnessed many significant changes over the years but horse racing has continued to be hugely popular with so many different sections of the general public.
The Club has retained its traditional role as a vital contributor to society while developing a global reputation as a centre of racing excellence and, on a day featuring numerous holiday attractions, that excellence will be displayed on numerous levels at Sha Tin on Monday.
True Grit’s win in the finale at Happy Valley on Wednesday night extended John Size’s lead atop the trainers’ table to six but his nearest rival John Moore has 14 runners on Monday’s card, including a couple of Hong Kong’s brightest young prospects in Aethero and Thanks Forever. One way or another, this promises to be a very important day in the race to be champion trainer.
Zac Purton and Joao Moreira will have nine rides each as they bid to continue their good form right through to the end of the season and we also welcome a new face to the weighing room in the shape of Vagner Borges, whose seven rides on his first day in the saddle in Hong Kong include three mounts for Tony Cruz.
Vagner has achieved a great deal at the age of just 26 in his native Brazil, with no less than ten Group 1 victories and four Brazilian championships among a career total in excess of 1600 winners.
I know that his achievements have put him on the radar of our Licensing Committee for some while now and the decision to bring him in for the final five meetings of the season gives him a chance to show his skills and get a feel for the passion and intensity of Hong Kong racing.
The competition will be fierce but the rewards are considerable for those who pass the test and we wish Vagner well as he bids to follow in the illustrious footsteps of fellow Brazilians such as Joao and Silvestre de Sousa.
Monday’s Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap, which celebrates the ongoing achievements of Hong Kong’s world class racing, features a pair of top three-year-olds among a competitive field of 14 at 1200m.
Thanks Forever is undefeated in three starts over the straight course and has quickly climbed to a 92 rating. Big Party has won three of his last four starts, coming off an eye-catching win in fast time over the course and distance in his last start.
The pace will be good with Team Spirit, Big Party, Thanks Forever and Big Time Baby involved in the early mix. Big Party had a smart trial in preparation for this and Purton takes the ride. Thanks Forever has been sensational over the straight course, including a win over the highly regarded Voyage Warrior, and this will be his first start around the bend.
I give a slight edge to Big Party due to his experience over the course and distance and a five pound break in the weights. He is a win and place chance in what will be a terrific race.
Thanks Forever is a rising star and I will be very interested to see how he handles his first test around the bend. He has a big future and I make him a place chance along with Lucky Hero and Raging Storm.
Easy Go Easy Win won his Hong Kong debut last season over this course and distance and has not seen it since. He trialled well at Conghua and I expect an improved performance from him. He is also a place chance.
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