With just under six weeks until the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, there is a growing sense of anticipation building on several fronts towards the December showpiece.
Developments on the international racing stage coupled with those much closer to home all arrived over the past few days with possible HKIR connotations. Tuesday’s trials at Sha Tin contained two names – Golden Sixty and Hot King Prawn – which are likely to figure on 12 December.
While Hot King Prawn was under restraint in winning his trial, the sight of Golden Sixty powering to an effortless trial victory at Sha Tin under Vincent Ho on Tuesday morning bodes well for our flagship event ahead of the champion’s imminent return to racing on 21 November in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile.
As Hong Kong’s highest-rated horse, and unbeaten in 14 starts, Golden Sixty will undoubtedly shoulder the bulk of home-town expectation next month, but his latest trial performance indicated Francis Lui’s charge is tracking perfectly towards his main objective.
With 90 entries received from abroad for HKIR, it is inevitable that our focus turns to overseas jurisdictions.
On Sunday, with the running of the Tenno Sho Autumn, we witnessed another fascinating chapter in the highpoint of Japanese autumn racing. The race lived up to its blockbuster billing with Efforia’s stunning effort to land the coveted Group 1 against decorated opposition, including Contrail and Gran Alegria.
From a LONGINES HKIR viewpoint, it was interesting to gauge the performances of the Japanese horses entered for Sha Tin with Gran Alegria (third), Hishi Iguazu (fifth) and Persian Knight (seventh) all finishing in the top half of the field. World Premiere (11th), Curren Bouquetd’or (12th) and Mozu Bello (13th) also hold entries for HKIR.
Efforia is not only the first three-year-old in 19 years to win the Tenno Sho Autumn, but his jockey Takeshi Yokoyama continued a remarkable family tradition, becoming the third member of his clan behind behind father Norihiro and grandfather Tomio to win the race.
At Flemington on Tuesday, Verry Elleegant – who is entered in both the Hong Kong Cup and Hong Kong Vase – won the Melbourne Cup, while third place-getter Spanish Mission holds an entry in the Vase.
International racing continues apace at the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Del Mar Racecourse in California where more possible HKIR contenders, including Arc runner-up Tarnawa, Mogul, Japan, Broome, Bolshoi Ballet and Love, are contesting the fabulous two-day fixture.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Class 2 American Club Challenge Cup is the fifth race of the evening and will be run over 1800 metres with five of the nine runners coming from Conghua. Five of the ten winners from Sunday’s race meeting at Happy Valley had trained at Conghua before their winning run at the weekend.
All For St Paul’s is making a rare appearance at Happy Valley after a first-up win on National Day over a mile at Sha Tin. This is his first try over the extended distance this season and his straightforward running style indicates he will make the running under Matthew Poon. He has won his only start over 1800 metres, coming on the All-Weather track at Sha Tin in March. He is a place chance.
Zebrowski makes his first start at Happy Valley for trainer Caspar Fownes and he will apply pace pressure after a sharp effort over this distance at Sha Tin. Vincent Ho takes the ride. The pace will be only moderate and it will likely be a tactical race. Zebrowski has shown consistent improvement since arriving on the scene here and the distance is well within his range as he finished second in last year’s Australian Derby. He is a win and place chance.
Sunny Star is up in grade which provides him with a light weight under the handicap conditions and he has been a consistent performer throughout his career. Alexis Badel has the ride and I expect Sunny Star to have a solid place chance from midfield. He is eligible for the Club’s High Achievement Bonus.
Berlin Tango is also eligible for the High Achievement Bonus and has drawn the inside barrier with Karis Teetan. He will do his running from the back and can close the race off strongly as a place chance.
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