The BMW Hong Kong Derby is just over three weeks away and, even though there is a sense of certainty and familiarity around the leading band of contenders, events at Sha Tin this weekend could impact on Classic calculations.
The top tier of Derby candidates is captured in the ratings as Sky Darci (103), Excellent Proposal (101), Healthy Happy (101), Shadow Hero (100), Tourbillon Diamond (98), Lucky Express (97) and Russian Emperor (97) have emerged from a deep pool of talented four-year-olds to stamp themselves as the potential heir apparent to Golden Sixty.
But a cursory glance at the Class 3 Tai Po Kau Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, as well as racing next weekend, indicates there is still plenty of water to go under the bridge before the Derby on 21 March.
In the seventh race on the programme, California Ten (78) and Looking Great (66) remain among the Derby entries but the horse at the centre of many Classic discussions – Charity Fun (78) – has not been entered.
Victory tomorrow might prompt Danny Shum and Charity Fun’s owners to reconsider their position. A late entry fee of HK$240,000 would apply if connections decide to push on to the Derby – and then hope the horse is selected – which makes tomorrow’s race very interesting.
Time will tell.
Nothing encapsulates Hong Kong racing’s vibrancy and can-do spirit as much as Happy Valley on Wednesday nights – otherwise known around the world as the home of “Happy Wednesday”.
This week, even in a small way with a limited number of attendees allowed at the city circuit, there was a palpable hint of Happy Valley’s famous spirit and character.
While normality still remains some way off because of COVID-19 limitations, the Club was encouraged by the atmosphere created by 1,184 owners and members at what is regarded by Hong Kong residents and visitors alike as one of the most iconic racetracks in the world.
The conclusion of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge proved more dramatic than some envisaged before Grateful Heart, the best-performed horse of the series, clinched the HK$650,000 first prize for his owners and Danny Shum.
Scores Of Fun could have overtaken Grateful Heart in the second-last race of the series but, with a seventh placing in his race, finished second overall with 57 points to Grateful Heart’s record overall tally of 70.
Danny has now won the competition three times in the past six years, having previously succeeded with Speedy Longwah (2016) and Charity Glory (2018).
It was appropriate on a night when we had our largest crowd at the course since November last year, that the “King of The Valley” Caspar Fownes trained a treble to reclaim the lead in the trainers’ championship from John Size.
While Joao Moreira commands a seemingly unassailable 93-64 lead over Zac Purton in the jockeys’ championship, Caspar and John – who are separated by only two wins (46-44) with 39 meetings to go – are locked in an epic battle.
The pair continues to trade blows with Caspar holding a decided edge at Happy Valley, while John has the upper hand at Sha Tin.
Sky Field was the most significant winner on Wednesday night, confirming status as an emerging sprinter of the highest quality while collecting a HK$1.5 million High Achievement Bonus for winning a Class 1 as a four-year-old.
The incentive scheme has proved very successful this season with 17 outright winners and five top-ups. A total of HK$19 million has been paid out in the 2020/21 term.
Returning to BMW Hong Kong Derby discussions, the Tai Po Kau Handicap (1800m) could prove to be a launching pad into the Classic.
Looking Great (Matthew Chadwick) looks likely to lead by default from World Famous (Derek Leung) with Charity Fun (Karis Teetan) prominent. Arrogant (Vincent Ho) can also be close. Awe (Matthew Poon) and California Ten (Zac Purton) will probably settle midfield. Champion Supreme (Vagner Borges) is likely to be given time to settle at the rear.
Based on his outstanding Happy Valley performance, I make Charity Fun a win and place chance. Dropping back in distance from 2200m at Happy Valley to 1800m at Sha Tin tomorrow is not ideal because Charity Fun clearly has real stamina and his maiden win in Ireland was over 2000m.
He is working well and his last-start victory was very convincing, earning an increase to his handicap mark of 10 points to 78. He is the horse to beat despite some of the handicaps he has to overcome.
The Class 2 Lam Tsuen Handicap over 1400 metres is the third race of the day at Sha Tin with Beauty Legacy (Antoine Hamelin) and Highly Proactive (Karis Teetan) likely to use their speed to cross from wide barriers to join Team Spirit (Tony Piccone) and Californiadeepshot (Vincent Ho) in setting a lively pace. Team Spirit and Californiadeepshot are both stepping up in trip for the first try over the course and distance. Beauty Rush (Vagner Borges) will also be involved early.
Beauty Smile (Matthew Chadwick) has won his last two races over this trip, earning his owners an additional $1.5 million through the High Achievement Bonus. The Irish import is a win and place chance to make it three straight with a good inside run from midfield behind the hot pace.
The Crown (Joao Moreira) and Winning Method (Alexis Badel) are both eligible for the HK$1 million first instalment of the High Achievement Bonus and both horses will be running on from the back as place chances.
Comment
