Every day seems to bring significant change at the moment but, amid all the challenges presented by coronavirus, some important issues have come into sharper focus.
First and foremost, this week has shown that the value of continuing racing with stringent safety measures in place is endorsed by the Hong Kong Government.
Tuesday’s government media briefing recognised the public interest value of providing stay-home entertainment for racing fans. Ours is a truly global brand – as continued strength of commingling shows – but at this time it is very important that we place a strong focus on local supporters and our use of technology means we can keep 800,000 Hong Kong people engaged in their favourite pastime without having to leave home. That is a highly significant number both for the interest of the community and the continued contributions we can make as our city strives to ensure society functions as normally as possible.
Anyone who has watched or attended racing recently will be aware of how efficiently our measures have been functioning and major racecourses worldwide will be taking similar measures over the next few months.
Authorities in the UK have already announced that their Guineas and Derby festivals will not take place on their intended dates in early May and early June, while the five-day Royal Ascot meeting due to begin later in June will take place behind closed doors if things progress well enough for it to retain its traditional place in the summer calendar.
Agility remains essential, which is why we added last week’s highly successful Doncaster Mile programme to our simulcast schedule, and this Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes day card at Randwick provided more high-class international action as the William Haggas-trained English raider Addeybb ran away with the big race under the up-and-coming Tom Marquand.
The Class 2 Austin Handicap is the final race of Sha Tin’s Easter Sunday race meeting and the 1400m test – which is likely to be run at a good to slow pace – features one progressive three-year-old in All In Mind and five four-year-olds including Beauty Legacy and Decrypt, who were bought with the BMW Hong Kong Derby in mind and now return to what is likely their best distance as sprinter/milers.
Ballistic King is a rare case of a horse moving up in grade without the benefit of a win in his last six starts. He has moved up six points in the ratings on the strength of four consecutive races where he has finished in the top three this season. He will get a nice run under a light weight for Karis Teetan on his 1400m debut in Hong Kong and he is a place chance in his current form.
Beauty Legacy was a first up winner over the course and distance in January after coming in from Australia with an impressive front-running G2 win in the 1400m Autumn Stakes to his name. This seems his preferred trip and he has been a very difficult ride when held up by Joao Moreira over longer distances. However, the fact that Beauty Legacy went forward when winning a recent trial suggests that connections may return to the racing style that suited him in Australia. He is working very well and is my first choice in a strong contest.
Perfect Match also returns to his preferred trip after an awkward start left him much further back than expected in his last start. He should also roll forward under new French jockey Antoine Hamelin with Good Standing and Decrypt in close order. Perfect Match is one of my main place chances along with Decrypt, who is also working well and steps back in distance after a respectable seventh in the Derby. General’s Delight is open to improvement and is another with place prospects. Star Shine is also working well and can’t be underestimated.
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