I think I speak for many people in Hong Kong racing in saying how desperately sad I was to learn that Pat Smullen passed away overnight.
Pat’s achievements in the saddle were truly exceptional – he was Irish champion nine times in an era which featured fierce rivals such as Michael Kinane and Johnny Murtagh – and he won any number of major races including the 2016 Derby aboard Harzand for his long-time ally Dermot Weld. It is a rare man who can excel in such a manner and yet create an even greater impression in other ways but Pat did just that.
Pat’s sportsmanship and willingness to help young people in racing were second to none. His bravery in the face of serious illness and his work in raising millions of Euro for cancer charities were admirable. And the impression he created to everyone at the Club, including in four visits for the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship, was exceptional.
To lose such a world-class person aged just 43 is tragic. Our condolences go out to all his friends and family at this hard time and, in this most challenging of years, such news only serves to remind us that protecting the health and safety of all our staff and supporters remains our prime concern.
Sunday saw a small step forward as owners were allowed to welcome three guests to the races, while on Monday it was my pleasure to be part of a Webinar session entitled ‘Navigating The New Normal’ in which leading representatives of several major racing jurisdictions discussed challenges posed by the pandemic.
Maintaining the Racing Bubble remains essential as we take our next important steps. With that in mind, it is good to report that Off-Course Betting Branches will provide betting services from 9.30am to 5pm on midweek racedays starting today (16 September). The sale of Mark Six tickets will begin via digital channels on Thursday ahead of next week’s resumption and, after due discussion with Government, it is great to report that for Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting we will welcome around 2,100 owners and members and around 1,000 members of the public in groups of no more than four provided they have prior table reservations and adhere to usual social distancing measures.
The continued appetite for Hong Kong racing was illustrated again at Sha Tin on Sunday, with turnover up on the corresponding 2019 fixture despite a handful of relatively short fields, and the headlines were dominated by an upwardly mobile rider and a very exciting young horse.
Slowly but surely, Karis Teetan keeps confirming his place among Hong Kong’s elite and he chalked up a 400th winner here when Will Power supplied the middle leg of a treble. That milestone must have seemed a long way off when Karis left Mauritius to join the South African Apprentice Academy at the age of just 14 but, with an IJC win and another G1 success on Mr Stunning fresh in the mind from last season, his star continues to rise.
The latter comment is equally applicable to Sky Field, who made a strong impression with a winning reappearance in the Hung Hom Handicap. True, this was only a Class 3 contest from a rating of 71 and much stiffer tasks lie ahead. However, the beauty of detailed sectional times is that they can identify smart prospects from an early stage in their careers.
Sky Field has posted striking closing splits throughout his short career and did so again on Sunday, recording the fastest closing sectional of the day (22.25s) and winning with plenty in hand despite traffic problems against experienced rivals. Time will tell if he can make it to the top level but those who already have were in action in Europe at the weekend and Irish horses excelled by winning eight out of ten G1 contests.
The remarkable O’Brien family led the charge, with Aidan and his sons Joseph and Donnacha all securing major victories. It was interesting to hear Aidan mention Hong Kong as a possible destination for his high-class three-year-old Mogul after his impressive win in the Grand Prix de Paris and, at this stage, it seems possible that the Coolmore team for LONGINES HKIR in December could be very interesting indeed.
It is a rare occurrence that we conclude a race meeting with a 1000m race but this will be the case at Happy Valley on Wednesday with the Class 3 Cha Kwo Ling Handicap, where the pace will be fast. Course and distance specialists Saul’s Special, Moment Of Power and Very Sweet Orange will be joined by Green Aeon and Nextmodel to set a good pace.
Saul’s Special and Moment Of Power are getting much needed class relief as they drop down in grade. Saul’s Special last appeared in Class 3 over two years ago whilst Moment Of Power is a seven-time winner over the course and distance. Saul’s Special caught the eye winning his trial last week on a rain-affected All Weather track and looks ready to run a big race with Zac Purton taking the ride. He is a win and place chance.
Loving A Boom is well drawn and has run well over the short track in the past. He is a place chance along with Green Aeon and Eternal Harvest, who has trialled well since being withdrawn at the gates at the Valley back in July.
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