There is an unmistakable sense of excitement ahead of Sunday’s renewal of the G3 Celebration Cup, for reasons as much to do with the past as the future.
A cursory scan of the race’s honour roll leaves nobody in any doubt as to the quality of horse required to triumph against decorated opposition early in the season.
The most recent four editions of the Celebration Cup have been won by Beauty Generation (2017-19) and Golden Sixty (2020) – undisputed Hong Kong champions and proven international Group 1 performers.
As the first of the Club’s 31 Group contests for the 2021/22 season, the Celebration Cup has a short, but enviable history of serving as something of a coronation event for top-class gallopers.
This year is no exception with BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci returning to the fray, pitted in battle – among others – stablemate Southern Legend, who is contesting the Celebration Cup for the fourth time, having finished eighth, fourth and fourth over the past three years.
Caspar Fownes would be delighted to win Sunday’s race – just as John Moore (Beauty Generation) and Francis Lui (Golden Sixty) were – regardless of long-range aspirations.
Just as it was with Richard Gibson’s remarkable sprinter Gold-Fun in 2014, the Celebration Cup Handicap has consistently proved itself to be an ominous precursor to success at the highest level.
Gold-Fun’s Sha Tin triumph was followed by victory in the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize before runner-up results in both the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in 2015 and also in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2016.
Sunday’s Group 3 Celebration Cup is featured as the seventh race and will be run over the popular distance of 1400 metres at Sha Tin. The pace will be slow with Duke Wai and Buddies expected to make the running under their light weights.
Duke Wai will be ridden by Vagner Borges and is second up after a good third in the HKSAR Chief Executive Cup on opening day. This is his first attempt at this trip in over two years and it seems to be a bit outside of his comfort zone. Buddies will be ridden by Matthew Chadwick.
Mighty Giant has enjoyed a similar prep to his first-up win over this course and distance last season. He is a Group 2 winner and this is his preferred distance. He will get a nice run from just behind the leaders and is a place chance in a race that will be run over a slow tempo. Jockey Matthew Poon is in search of his first win of the season and the first Group race of the season is a golden opportunity.
Sky Darci is first-up with regular rider Joao Moreira. The distance is ideal for his running style and he will get every chance. He is working well for his return and is a win and a place chance.
Tourbillon Diamond will benefit from his first-up run and the step up in trip. He is in with a light weight under Alexis Badel and will settle midfield along the rail and is also a win and a place chance. Southern Legend with Zac Purton must tote top weight in the handicap conditions and is also a place chance on his class and consistency as he makes his seasonal debut.
Champion’s Way, who will be ridden by Karis Teetan, will come with a late run from the back of the field and is also a place chance.
With nine runners to face the starter on Sunday, the potential career trajectory of many of these well-credentialled gallopers bears contemplating simply because the Celebration Cup has shown itself to be such a bountiful launching pad.
The same can be said for a fascinating undercard on Sunday which features Killer Bee, Naboo Attack and Packing Victory, not to mention the Hong Kong debuts of Frankie Lor pair, Ready to Win and Five Elements.
Comment
