After the unfortunate cancellation of Wednesday night’s Happy Valley race meeting because of Tropical Storm Kompasu and the raising of the Typhoon 8 signal, the sense of excitement over what might unfold at Sha Tin on Sunday (17 October) seems doubly potent.
With benign weather forecast, the staging of the first Group 2 contests of the 2021/22 term – the Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) for the sprinters and the Oriental Watch 60th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) for milers and stayers – serves as a great showcase of some of our top horses on their path towards the LONGINES Hong Kong International Raceday.
Enhancing the appeal of a deep program, we also a strong undercard which features some talented four-year-olds heading towards the lucrative Hong Kong Classic Series, culminating in the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
Hong Kong has long prided itself on the strength of its sprinting stocks and there are seldom more exciting times than when emerging talents bridge the gulf from restricted company to status as bona fide Group performers.
Courier Wonder was acclaimed as Hong Kong’s Most Improved horse last season, soaring from a mark of 52 to 107 in the space of five undefeated starts, closing his debut campaign with victory at Group 3 level.
Only exceptionally gifted horses manage such rises and it will be fascinating to watch what this four-year-old can produce in the Premier Bowl on Sunday against more experienced opposition – some of whom have competed at Group 1 level – along with others who are still on the rise, such as Naboo Attack, Sky Field, Stronger and Super Wealthy.
The presence of Southern Legend, Waikuku and Ka Ying Star in the Oriental Watch 60th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy Handicap marks the return of the proven guard in an intriguing mile contest.
The Club is grateful for the Oriental Watch Company’s generous sponsorship of this race. As the first watch retailer listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, the company was established in 1961 and it is fitting that it will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a Gentleman’s Bow Tie Raceday.
With the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on the radar for these horses, the performances on Sunday of last season’s Hong Kong Champion Stayer Panfield, BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci and Derby runner-up Russian Emperor, along with Tourbillon Diamond, will also be instructive in the context of December’s Group 1.
For me, Sunday’s meeting shapes as one of the most important of the season – with an undercard which also contains potential stars such as Fantastic Treasure and Fantastic Way.
Before we stage our 11th meeting of the season, there is a vast array of simulcast content for our local customers to enjoy, including the Caulfield Cup and The Everest from Australia and the British Champions Day from Royal Ascot on Saturday night.
On Sunday, the G2 Premier Bowl will be run as the sixth race with a good pace ensured for the 1200 metre test. Undefeated sprint sensation Courier Wonder makes his first start in nearly five months and will be favoured as he is in receipt of 13 pounds from Sky Field under the handicap conditions.
Courier Wonder will be ridden by regular rider Joao Moreira and has looked good in his trials leading up to his return. He is a horse that comes to hand quickly and I make him a win and place chance at the weights from just inside midfield.
It is worth noting that Joao last season described Courier Wonder as something very special and he has the potential to be the next global star sprinter from Hong Kong.
The pace will be set by Voyage Warrior, drawn the rail with Ruan Maia, and Happy Valley specialist Harmony And Rich under Matthew Chadwick. Computer Patch will use his speed from a wide draw to force the tempo with Karis Teetan. Duke Wai with Vagner Borges and Buddies with Jack Wong are both dropping back in trip from 1400 metre and will be in close contention.
The genuine tempo will help Naboo Attack, which does its running from the back and gets in with a light weight. He is well drawn with Alexis Badel and is a place chance.
Despite carrying top weight, Sky Field will also appreciate the good pace and should be closing the race off strongly as a place chance with Blake Shinn. Stronger comes off a promising first-up run and is also a place chance stepping up in trip under Vincent Ho.
Lucky Patch has drawn barrier 12 for Zac Purton but remains a place chance despite his wide draw.
The eighth race is the G2 Oriental Watch 60th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy and the tempo of this race will be moderate at best. Ka Ying Star makes his seasonal debut and will set the pace under Matthew Chadwick. He pushed Golden Sixty to the limit in this race last season and his good record over the course and distance makes him a place chance.
Sky Darci makes his second start of the season and his form has been consistent since winning the Derby in March. He is drawn wide and will either go back or try to slot in midfield with regular rider Joao Moreira. He is my first choice after a great first-up run over 1400m when he was blocked before finishing strongly under Moreira and I make him a win and place chance.
Moreira has chosen Sky Darci over his regular ride Waikuku, who makes his return under Zac Purton after six months off. Waikuku is a place chance along with Tourbillon Diamond and Alexis Badel.
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