The old saying that goes “may you live in interesting times” could hardly be more appropriate for what we have witnessed in Hong Kong over the last year or so.
From the public demonstrations of 2019 to the huge upheaval caused by coronavirus in the first four months of 2020, our city has faced challenges that come along only rarely in history. All our resilience has been called on and there is a long way to go before society can return to normal, but for a few hours this Sunday racing fans can focus on the pastime that has shown Hong Kong’s sporting face to the world ever since I arrived in this amazing city more than 20 years ago.
Horse racing holds a unique place in the hearts of Hong Kongers and, even though we have been operating a behind-closed-doors model with Off-Course Betting Branches closed in recent months, we still expect around 800,000 people to engage with us on FWD Champions Day. In addition, we will also have a slight increase in owners present while observing all guidelines on public gatherings and social distancing.
The fact that most of the sporting world remains in lockdown has created significant added international interest this year and everyone who has worked to ensure our racing continues in a safe and prudent manner can take pride in a day that showcases three G1 contests worth HK$63 million featuring any number of compelling storylines.
Beauty Generation’s exploits have resonated around the world and our dual Horse of the Year will be a star attraction yet again when he meets old rival Waikuku for the seventh time in the FWD Champions Mile.
Tony Cruz holds the key to a fascinating QEII Cup as our champion middle distance horse and stayer Exultant goes in against his mercurial stablemate Time Warp for the eleventh time, while the brilliant Aethero and high-class Hot King Prawn top the bill as they square off for the fourth time in a fascinating Chairman’s Sprint Prize.
For me, the human angles on Sunday’s card are just as intriguing as the equine stories, with superstar riders Zac Purton and Joao Moreira going head to head on leading fancies in all three feature events. Joao leads Zac by 104-103 in what promises to become a thrilling championship race and Sunday could also have a significant impact on the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey standings.
The Chairman’s Sprint Prize and the FWD QEII Cup are both WBJ eligible contests, with 12 points to the winner and 6 and 4 for second and third. Joao currently leads on 54 points, with James McDonald and Zac on 34 and 30. Sunday’s events are clearly going to have a significant bearing on the standings, while we also have a fascinating training angle in play as John Moore seeks to mark his final Champions Day as a Hong Kong handler in the grand manner through Beauty Generation, Aethero or possibly even Thanks Forever.
As you can see, from the confusion of a highly uncertain time has emerged a very special raceday. The real world will occupy us all again from Monday but sport is glorious diversion when times are tough and I hope that all our fans, wherever in the world they may be watching from, can take pleasure from a day that is one of our true flagship occasions.
The Champions Day Group 1 races begin with Chairman’s Sprint Prize as the fifth race. This was the world’s second highest rated Group 1 sprint over 1200m last year with only the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint rated higher. Top sprinters such as Hot King Prawn, Aethero, Thanks Forever and Voyage Warrior are all looking for their first-ever Group 1 victory and they all come in to the race in top form with strong credentials.
Voyage Warrior returned from his Conghua base on Thursday, fresh off his Group 2 win three weeks ago. He will use his speed from a wide draw along with Big Party and Big Time Baby to set a good pace. Hot King Prawn has been a gem of consistency with 10 wins from 17 starts and 14 times in the Quinella. He has once again drawn an inside gate and will occupy the box seat under Moreira to get every chance. As always, he is a solid place chance.
Aethero did everything wrong in the Group 2 Sprint Cup in his last start but has since trialled well and is a win and place chance to make amends. He takes time after the jump to settle into stride but should still be forwardly placed under Purton and there is no denying his ability. Voyage Warrior and Big Party are place chances.
Beauty Generation is the star attraction taking on seasonal rivals Ka Ying Star and Waikuku in the FWD Champions Mile. Ka Ying Star will do his usual thing from the inside gate and make the running with Beauty Generation and Zac camped to his outside. Waikuku is drawn outside under Joao and will do his running from the back. The pace will be moderate.
Beauty Generation is as genuine as they come and is a win and place chance to become the first three-time Champions Mile winner. He will be in the mix from the start and is an imposing presence when the real running begins. Waikuku will improve after a lacklustre run off an 11-week break. He should be closing the race off strongly and is a place chance.
Southern Legend ran exceptionally well in his last start after spending time at Conghua and should not be underestimated. He is a place chance along with Ka Ying Star.
In the FWD QEII Cup, Time Warp will dictate the pace under Joao and force horses like his stablemate Exultant and Playa Del Puente to stay in relatively close contact. The pace will be slow. Time Warp is trying to emulate his sire Archipenko, the 2008 winner of this race, and will get every chance after an impressive trial two weeks ago. He is the controlling speed in what will be a tactical race and is a place chance.
Zac will be aware of the pace and may need to call on Exultant earlier than usual. He was second in this race last year to help it earn its rating as one of the World’s Top 10 Races of 2019 and this time should go one better as a win and place chance. Tony Cruz’s third runner Furore will get a nice run fairly close to the pace and is a place chance along with Derby runner-up Playa Del Puente.
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