It is hard to know where to begin when describing the emotions of a highly significant day at Sha Tin on Tuesday.
As has happened so often, Beauty Generation stole the show on the track and our dual Horse of the Year looked as good as ever in breaking his third track record in the Celebration Cup.
John Moore’s gelding has showcased our racing magnificently during a ten-race winning streak and we look forward to seeing him again when he bids for a third successive win in the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy on 20 October.
Hong Kong continues to face major challenges but I truly hope people from all walks of life could come together to enjoy the races.
Moving on to Sunday’s sport, the Class 2 Sheung Wan Handicap over 1400m is the final race of the day and the pace will be quick, with Handsome Bo Bo, Kasi Farasi and Hezthewonforus all set to go forward.
Hezthewonforus won first up in this same class and distance last season and looked good in two trials last month. He will need to be at his best in a competitive field and his good draw should give him every chance, possibly from the box seat. He is a win and place chance.
Fast Most Furious is in career-best form and will go back from his wide draw. He is a course and distance specialist and will be finishing strongly as a place chance.
Gold Chest is a last-start winner over course and distance when racing handy. He will be a bit further back here due to the quicker tempo. He is a place chance along with Lucky Hero, a late-running sprinter getting his first chance over 1400m.
Sunday’s Sha Tin action is followed by a fascinating simulcast card from Paris and all eyes will be on John Gosden’s superstar mare Enable as she bids to become the first horse to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for a third time.
This is a smaller Arc field than normal, with 12 facing the starter, but the Godolphin runner Ghaiyyath is an aggressive front runner and promises to set a true pace from Japanese raider Kiseki. Enable is versatile tactically and should settle midfield with Aidan O’Brien’s pair Japan and Magical, while last year’s Arc fourth Waldgeist and the improving Prix du Jockey Club winner Sottsass will be ridden patiently as usual.
Enable’s record of ten wins from ten attempts in G1 company make her one of the most accomplished racehorses of modern times and, remarkably, her jockey Frankie Dettori will be riding in the Arc for the 31st time at the age of 48.
Her class and courage clearly make her a win and place chance as she bids to make history. Ryan Moore has chosen the high-class three-year-old Japan ahead of Magical but both O’Brien runners are place chances, while Waldgeist will run his usual honest race and Sottsass has a turn of foot which means he will be very much at home if the pace is strong.
Comment
