Caution has become a recurring theme over the past 20 months and, with the pandemic causing so much upheaval and change, prudence remains the key as diligent planning continues for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Raceday in December.
Our position is clear. As excited as we are by an outstanding entry of 135 horses, including 57 individual G1 winners, we will be guided in every aspect of our preparations by the Hong Kong SAR Government to ensure the health and safety of all prospective participants.
The Club staged a fabulous renewal of our showpiece meeting last December by creating a “Racing Bubble” in line with Hong Kong SAR Government protocols and we were delighted to receive tremendous support from Japan and Ireland, in particular, despite the complications of COVID-19.
We remain hopeful of hosting a meeting of similar quality in barely six weeks’ time on 12 December and it’s impossible not to be excited by the calibre of the world-class horses entered, but there is still much work to be done.
While the staging of the meeting is subject to approval of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s approval, the possibility of Gran Alegria, Tarnawa, Snowfall, Golden Sixty, Nature Strip and Verry Elleegant gracing the Sha Tin turf on the same day – among others – is truly inspiring.
Japan’s formidable reputation is justified with the recent performances of its horses across a range of distances, as Hong Kong has experienced over the past year with the towering Sha Tin feats of Danon Smash, Loves Only You and Normcore.
There have been many others over the years, too, but if even a healthy portion of the 40 horses entered from the ‘Land Of The Rising Sun’ eventually arrive in Hong Kong, along with representatives of Irish trainers Aidan and Joseph O’Brien and Dermot Weld and Australia-based Chris Waller, the 2021 LONGINES HKIR will indeed be an occasion to savour.
While the logistics are challenging, the Club will do everything in its powers to ensure every measure is taken to enable the meeting to proceed in the utmost safety.
International competition in any field is the ultimate measure of excellence and so it is with Hong Kong racing.
Indeed, I had the privilege this week of meeting Sarah Lee, Hong Kong’s Olympic champion, at the Carbon Neutrality Partnership Launching Ceremony and it was wonderful to catch up with Sarah and congratulate her on her fantastic achievements which have made Hong Kong so proud.
The accomplishments of Hong Kong athletes on the global stage are an important way of showcasing Hong Kong as a city, and it is therefore also important for Hong Kong to stage global events – and the LONGINES HKIR is one of them.
Happy Valley hosts Sunday’s race meeting where the Class 3 Kwangtung Handicap Cup will be run over 2200 metres as the fifth race and the pace will be slow. There is no clear leader in the race and jockey Luke Ferraris will call on the speed of Blastoise to cross over and make the running. He will face only token pressure from stablemate Green Laser with Tony Piccone. Last start winner Dynamic Eagle will be in close contention under regular rider Alexis Badel.
Vincy won off his same rating six months ago at this class, course and distance. He is well suited by the trip and he is a place chance from behind midfield with Blake Shinn taking the ride. This is his third race of the new season and he seems to have enough foundation to handle the trip.
Dynamic Eagle is a two-time winner over course and distance and will get a nice run behind the speed. He is a place chance with Alexis Badel. Blastoise, narrowly beaten by Dynamic Eagle earlier this month, is a win and a place chance as he will be able to dictate the pace. He has won previously over 2000 metres at Sha Tin and should be able to handle the distance.
Above will go back from his wide draw with Vincent Ho and will close the race off strongly. He had no clear running last time, he is a course and distance winner and is a place chance here.
Comment
