The Bubble stayed intact and Hong Kong racing can now take pride and reflect on what can be learned from the most challenging and rewarding LONGINES HKIR week in history.
Amazingly, it is now almost 11 months since the risk level for Coronavirus moved from Serious to Emergency – forcing us to go Behind Closed Doors as we created the Racing Bubble – and the twists and turns since would fill a book rather than a Blog.
The eyes of the racing world were on us and, thanks to meticulous planning and huge commitment from our various teams, we staged a world-class global event that showcased the strength, resilience and “can-do” spirit of Hong Kong in a wonderful way.
So what did we learn? We learned that Ryan Moore is still one of the world’s great riders from the way he defied stall 14 in the Sprint on Danon Smash and that he and Aidan O’Brien have a possible successor to Highland Reel in their latest Vase winner Mogul.
We learned that Japan’s equine talent pool is as deep as ever as Normcore gave Zac Purton a record-breaking ninth HKIR victory in the Cup and that her win, following on from Danon Smash, showed that horses who are beaten in HKIR races one year can come back stronger than ever 12 months later.
We also learned that Beauty Generation is heading for retirement as one of Hong Kong racing’s all-time greats after his honourable fifth in the Mile and his huge contribution to racing here will be recognised in this weekend’s Blog.
But most of all, we learned that this year’s Mile winner Golden Sixty and Vincent Ho are now one of the most devastating combinations in world racing.
Francis Lui’s gelding faced a truly exceptional field on his first try in elite international company and proved himself a top-class horse on every level. The visual impact was stunning as he powered from the rear to make Southern Legend, Admire Mars, Waikuku, Beauty Generation and Order Of Australia – all G1 winners in the last year – look like they were standing still.
And, once again, the stopwatch told a fascinating tale. Golden Sixty broke 67 seconds for the final 1200m – which is highly unusual – and he recorded the fastest closing 400m split of the entire day yet again (22.05s) despite the fact that he had gone much harder through the middle sectionals than in any of his three previous runs at a mile.
HKIR is the acid test for any Hong Kong horse in terms of gaining worldwide renown and our Head of Handicapping Nigel Gray was clearly impressed in describing Golden Sixty as “the star of the show” and suggesting that the international handicappers are likely to opt for a rating of 123 or 124 when their final 2020 calculations are revealed next month.
That level makes Golden Sixty one of the very best milers in the world but, having launched his charge to stardom with a Hong Kong Classic Mile win on the first day of Behind Closed Doors Racing back in January, he has also become the ultimate Racing Bubble horse with eight flawless 2020 wins and the promise of many more to come.
Of course, it was a pity we couldn’t have our loyal racing fans at the track and in Off-Course Betting Branches to witness his brilliance. We hope for the continued support and understanding of all concerned and with a little luck, that opportunity will return in 2021.
Looking too far ahead is risky nowadays but to witness a performance like that at the last major global racing festival of 2020 was something special. There is no question this has been a difficult year. But for Hong Kong racing it has also been a Golden year and the value of having a horse like this to show to the world is tremendous.
Wednesday’s Class 3 Elgin Handicap over 1200 metres is the final race of the night at the Valley with Scores Of Fun, Ka Ying Master and Prince Of Frog pushing forward to set a good pace. Ka Ying Master, a winner of two of his last three starts in this grade, is at risk of being trapped wide and without cover from his outside draw.
Harmony N Home will try to cross over from his wide draw to find cover in the next flight along with The Runner and Falcon Turbo. The Runner found the line well in his last start and this time draws the inside barrier. He will get a good run with Karis Teetan aboard and is a place chance.
Scores Of Fun will be the betting favourite for the fourth consecutive time and has good form over the course and distance. He will be in the mix from the start and is a solid win and place chance for regular rider Joao Moreira. High Rise Soldier is also in top form, running very well to be beaten just half a length on his last two starts at the Valley, and he is also a win and place chance with Purton aboard.
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