The eyes of world racing will be on Hong Kong on Sunday (25 April) with the staging of FWD Champions Day and, fittingly, a cluster of high-class equine stars will be at the centre of international focus.
The cream of Japanese staying talent led by Daring Tact, Glory Vase, Loves Only You and Kiseki will be at Sha Tin in search of G1 FWD QEII Cup glory, pitted against Hong Kong’s reigning Horse of the Year Exultant, Glorious Dragon and Time Warp in what shapes as a highlight of the meeting.
Golden Sixty’s quest for a 17th win from 18 starts as he bids to extend his current unbeaten streak to 14 via a fourth consecutive G1 victory in the G1 FWD Champions Mile is another compelling storyline, while the return of Danon Smash to the scene of his December LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint adds further lustre to the Club’s spring showpiece.
For me, it will be interesting to see how Hong Kong’s young brigade of sprinters such as Wellington, Stronger and Sky Field measure up in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize against a horse of Danon Smash’s quality.
FWD Champions Day is a celebration of all things great about Hong Kong racing as the Club remains steadfast in its approach to safely maintaining the “racing bubble” which operated so effectively during LONGINES HKIR week last year.
As ever, we are stringently committed to protecting the health and welfare of all participants – including jockeys, trainers, owners, members and our valued customers – at all of our venues.
All of these sites are subject to biosecurity protocols and we are grateful for the support and cooperation of all participants as Hong Kong horse racing approaches one of the banner days of the season.
With the limelight firmly upon Hong Kong, it is incumbent upon the Club to continue to lead the way with appropriate health and safety measures and we are especially heartened by the fact Japan’s leading stables have seen fit to send champion horses to compete at FWD Champions Day despite the obstacles posed by COVID-19.
More so than ever at this crucial period in history, FWD Champions Day puts Hong Kong racing at the top of the sports agenda. Fans from all over the world are hungry for top-class live action and, thanks to the way our city has adapted to huge challenges, we are in position to provide them with a reminder of what Hong Kong racing entails.
On Wednesday night, the second section of the Class 3 Queen’s Road Central Handicap over 1200 metres is the final race of the meeting. The pace will be modest with last-start winners Be Ready (Zac Purton), Ever Force (Karis Teetan), Goodluck Goodluck (Derek Leung) and newcomer Lifeline Vision (Blake Shinn) all intent on securing a forward position on the C course.
Lifeline Vision makes his first start in Hong Kong and his first in nearly a year after a pair of sharp trials at Conghua. Though his form was more of a miler in Australia, he looks quick enough to take up the box seat and is a place chance.
Be Ready improved in his second-up run four weeks ago when he sat outside of the leader to win convincingly over the course and distance. He will get a similar run here and is a win and place chance to repeat.
Ever Force is an interesting three-year-old and winner of his past two starts. I make him a place chance along with Island Shine (Antoine Hamelin).
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