Time rarely stands still in Hong Kong and, if proof were needed of just how dynamic Hong Kong horseracing is, tonight’s Happy Valley meeting marks the end of the first quarter of the 2021/22 season.
It barely seems plausible that almost three months have passed since our season-opener, yet here we are on the cusp of the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship and the LONGINES Hong Kong International Race Day next month.
Much has happened since the 5 September meeting at Sha Tin – on and off the track – and we are encouraged at the way the biggest week of Hong Kong’s racing year is developing.
The IJC roster, already a star-studded affair with riders the calibre of Ryan Moore, James McDonald, Zac Purton and Joao Moreira among the 10 crack jockeys confirmed so far, will be competed at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with the filling of the remaining two places.
Based on the current jockey championship standings, not to mention current form, Alexis Badel and Vincent Ho are the names most likely to be added to that illustrious group but, as we have seen repeatedly in sport, nothing can be counted out.
The international entries for LONGINES HKIR are immensely encouraging, including a formidable array of Japanese top-liners, notably Breeders’ Cup winner Loves Only You, Lei Papale, Resistencia, Pixie Knight and last season’s LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint winner Danon Smash.
Aidan O’Brien is again strongly represented – evidence once more of the Ballydoyle team’s sportsmanship and ambition – with Broome, Japan, Bolshoi Ballet, Mother Earth and last year’s LONGINES Hong Kong Vase winner Mogul.
We are delighted also to have received entries from Alain De Royer Dupre (Ebaiyra), Jim Bolger (Mac Swiney), William Haggas (Dubai Honour) and William Muir (Pyledriver).
The home guard will be led by Golden Sixty, who was the stand-out performer at last Sunday’s Bank Of China (Hong Kong) Race Day, powering to a 15th straight victory and a record-equalling 18th triumph in Hong Kong, emulating Silent Witness and Beauty Generation in the process.
Francis Lui has done a magnificent job with Golden Sixty and, with history beckoning, Golden Sixty’s effort to clock 43.2s for the last 800m and 21.51s for the closing 400m sectional off a slowly-run first 800m bodes well ahead of next month’s Group 1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile assignment.
Francis and Vincent were front and centre on a momentous day for the Club at the weekend when, along with Frankie Lor and Derek Leung (Reliable Team in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup) and Jerry Chau for Francis (Lucky Patch in the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint), home-grown talent collectively scooped the G2 pool in a wonderful endorsement for locally-developed trainers and jockeys.
All five are products of the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys’ School and, beyond the world-class tutelage provided during their development, have benefited even further from exposure to expatriate influences and competition in what is a wonderful horseracing finishing school.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the St Andrew’s Challenge Quaich is a Class 4 handicap over 1650 metres and is carded as the fourth of eight races. Faithful Trinity will go forward from his good draw with Vagner Borges along with Loyal Baby and Joao Moreira to set a good pace. Both are place chances.
Charizard will get a good run from midfield with Luke Ferraris and comes into the race with good form, which includes a solid try over the C+3 course four weeks ago. He is a win and place chance.
Ernest Feeling will be ridden quietly from his wide draw with Zac Purton accepting the return engagement after failing as an even money favourite in his last start when he led during the early stages. His two previous runs this season were promising when coming from the back and I expect an improved effort. He is a place chance.
The final race of the night is a Class 2 over 1200 metres with Sight Success and jockey Vagner Borges gunning for a third straight victory at the class and course. He has recaptured the good form that he enjoyed at the start of his career and is a place chance in a very competitive race.
The pace will be good as Harmony Fire and Keep You Warm will need to use their speed from wide draws as they step up in trip. Both are eligible for the Club’s High Achievement Bonus. Harmony Fire will be ridden by Vincent Ho whilst Karis Teetan gets the call on the in-form Keep You Warm, an easy Class 3 winner in his seasonal debut last month. I make Keep You Warm a place chance on the strength of his good recent form while Harmony Fire is unproven over this trip and this race is deep with talent.
Scores Of Fun is up in grade after an upset win in his last start but the pace scenario and the inside draw will be a benefit with Zac Purton riding. He is a win and place chance and will need a career best effort to get the job done.
Drops Of God is well drawn with Joao Moreira and is one of three John Size-trained runners in the race. He will get a good run from behind the leaders and is a place chance.
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