Racing continues to produce strong stories as the end of the Hong Kong season approaches and this weekend will be busy at home and abroad, with an intriguing Sha Tin card sandwiched between simulcast broadcasts featuring four Classics from England and France.
Time is running out as our two most famous riders pursue a fourth championship and Joao Moreira needs to excel on Sunday to revive his hopes of taking Zac Purton all the way, but the battle for the trainers’ title remains beautifully poised with Ricky Yiu just one ahead of Francis Lui and four ahead of Tony Cruz.
It was interesting to hear that Francis will join Douglas Whyte, David Hall and David Hayes as one of the third phase of trainers with a base at Conghua this summer and the Licensing Committee made another positive announcement on Thursday with news that Alexis Badel returns to Hong Kong in August on a full season contract.
The July session of this year’s Hong Kong International Sale produced very satisfactory results on Friday – with four of the 19 lots sold for HK$6 million or more and the Sale average up considerably on last year at HK$3.91 million – but the most notable news story of the week has to be the return of the general public to the racecourse for the last four meetings of our season.
Some loyal supporters have shown huge understanding as we fought to keep racing going through coronavirus for the last five months but our phased return to normality continues and we are now in a position to welcome between 500 and 700 members of the public back to the racecourse from Sunday provided they have a prior restaurant reservation and observe all usual public health protocols.
Traceability is key – along with 1.5m social distancing – but this represents another useful phased step towards normality and the re-opening of our Off-Course Betting Branches on non racedays has also been very well received, with up to 120,000 visitors per day. We are cautiously optimistic that OCBB’s may be able to open on racedays for our final two fixtures of the season – with football betting and Mark Six lottery to resume from 16 and 21 July – and the summer recess will provide breathing space as we plan the right strategy for bringing more people back to our two tracks from September onwards.
The Class 2 Yan Chau Tong Handicap wraps up the Sunday race meeting with promising newcomers and proven veterans lining up in the 1200m sprint. The pace will be fast with Moment Of Power, Highly Proactive and Golden Dash pushing forward. Gunnison, Saul’s Special and All In Mind will be in close pursuit to ensure a quick tempo.
Mr Croissant is a last start winner when first up off a three month break and has a perfect record when second up. He has drawn well on the C+3 course and will get a good run from about midfield. He is a win and place chance under Chad Schofield, while Lucky Express and Armando both caught the eye on their Hong Kong debuts behind Mr Croissant five weeks ago and will do their running from the back. The two promising three-year-olds will be closing off strongly and Armando, who has trialled strongly of late, is also a win and place chance.
All In Mind also ran well in the Mr Croissant race, improving to be a good second whilst dropping back in trip to his preferred distance. He should go well from his good draw and is a place chance, while Lucky Express, Armando, All In Mind, Shining Gem and Highly Proactive are eligible for the Club’s High Achievement Bonus, which has paid out HK$33 million this season to Owners of horses rated 80 or higher who win for the first time in Class 2 and above.
England’s most famous Classic race will have an unfamiliar feel behind closed doors and run a month later than usual at Epsom this Saturday but some things about the Investec Derby remain the same, namely the presence of a strong Aidan O’Brien contingent.
Aidan saddles six of the 16 runners as he chases a record eighth Derby victory, five sired by the mighty Galileo, and has the ability to make the race a searching stamina test over Epsom’s demanding 2405m with Serpentine one of several probable front runners.
Reports suggest Aidan has helped steer Ryan Moore in the direction of Mogul, who disappointed on his Royal Ascot reappearance. Aidan clearly feels that Mogul will be much sharper this time but he has at least one more strong contender in the impeccably-bred Russian Emperor, who will be very well suited by the step up to 2400m judged on his Royal Ascot win and looks a win and place chance under Seamie Heffernan.
Stamina is a possible concern as Kameko moves up from 1600m but the 2000 Guineas winner is by a sire who stayed the Derby distance and looks sure to travel strongly for a long way under Oisin Murphy. He is a place chance along with English King, who looked very impressive in winning the Lingfield Derby Trial and is a proven stayer with scope for further improvement as Frankie Dettori takes the reins for the first time.
Sunday night’s French simulcast revolves around the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de Diane at Chantilly. Legendary French trainer Andre Fabre may well hold the key to the Jockey Club with the French 2000 Guineas winner Victor Ludorum and the improving Ocean Atlantique, while the proven G1 winners Alpine Star and Peaceful along with the exciting Raabihah are leading contenders for the Diane.
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