Things are moving swiftly on and off the track, with one exceptional horse departing the Hong Kong scene as Beat The Clock retires and star Australian import Classique Legend arrives at Sha Tin with connections hoping he can inherit the Champion Sprinter crown.
Talk of a Coronavirus vaccine becoming available has made worldwide headlines in the last 24 hours but caution remains essential and, with just four weeks to go until our flagship week, it is great to report that the Club has secured Government approval for a special quarantine procedure that will enable international riders, trainers and grooms to join us for this year’s LONGINES HKIR.
A lot of thought and planning have gone into this process and it is important to make several key points about the way the protocol has come together.
First and foremost, isolation from the local community is fundamental. International horsemen must remain within a separate bubble inside the Racing Bubble throughout their time in Hong Kong.
All HKIR visitors – including trainers, riders and stable staff – will undergo multiple testing before they are permitted to travel to Hong Kong, and upon arrival they will go straight into designated accommodation. Like any other arrival they will have no contact with the general public during their stay. On top of this they will be under the continuous medical surveillance under the supervision of the Club’s Chief Medical Officer throughout, including being given daily Covid tests and twice-daily temperature taking.
Trainers, grooms and riders will be transported to and from the Club’s Equine Quarantine Station to attend to the international runners at specified times each day and otherwise remain in their designated accommodation.
Visiting horsemen will remain isolated from anyone outside their own bubble. This includes no direct contact with the media – any media interviews will be conducted via Zoom or through a fixed camera in the Quarantine areas.
Last but not least, we have created separate jockeys’ rooms at Sha Tin and Happy Valley to ensure that Hong Kong-based riders are kept separate from the international visitors. This year has given us a thorough grounding in public health management, building on our many years of experience of maintaining stringent quarantine and applying measures to ensure free movement of horses and staff between Hong Kong and Conghua. This cumulative experience has played a significant part in helping to create this latest biosecurity bubble.
Evidence from racing and other major international sports shows that sustained vigilance is paramount but, with the Club and Government aligned, we feel we are now in a good place to prepare for the week in itself. The list of riders for the International Jockeys’ Championship will contain a fascinating blend of new and established stars, while the next two weeks will be vital in assessing which star foreign horses will travel for the most unusual HKIR in history.
Two sections of the Class 3 Belcher Bay Handicap over 1200m wrap up the Wednesday night Happy Valley meeting. In the second section, which is the seventh race, Super Dobbin will cross from his wide draw to set a moderate pace with Harmony N Home and Magic Legend to help keep him honest.
High Rise Soldier is drawn wide but should be able to secure a midfield position. He looks ready to break through for his first win in Hong Kong and is a win and place chance under Purton. Green Reign adds blinkers and will also do his running from midfield. He is a place chance with Moreira, along with Lobo’s Legend and Flying Sword.
In the first section, Sky Darci will be a very popular choice after a solid win in this grade two weeks ago. He will be burdened with top weight but is a progressive type and should get every chance from inside of midfield. California Gungho, Flying Bonus, Igniting and Little Bird will go forward to set a good pace but Sky Darci will be in striking position and is a win and place chance to repeat his Valley success.
Top Score is a recent stable transfer to Michael Chang and his current form has merit. He has a good record over the course and distance and is an intriguing outsider. He is a place chance along with Loving A Boom and Flying Bonus.
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