There was no shortage of highlights at Sha Tin’s New Year’s Day meeting on Saturday with the G3-winning performances of Master Eight and Healthy Happy but, for me, the Class 2 Cherry Handicap (1400m) is a race which could emerge as a key reference point for form students as we head towards the highly lucrative Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
With HK$48 million spread across the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (30 January), the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (27 February) and the HK$24 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (20 March), there is clearly much to play for over the next 10 weeks.
Packing Victory laid down a significant marker for Danny Shum at the weekend to win his fourth race from only six starts – and a High Achievement Bonus of HK$1 million – and he is heading into the Hong Kong Classic Mile in peak form, while the performance of third-placegetter Fantastic Treasure was eye-catching to say the least.
He clocked the second-fastest last 400m sectional of the race – 22.53s – halving the margin to Packing Victory from four and a half lengths at the top of the straight to two and a quarter lengths at the post, despite carrying 15lb more at 133lb. Fantastic Treasure will relish the step to 1600m and the fact he will meet his opposition at level weights at 126lb in the Hong Kong Classic Mile.
Fantastic Treasure and Packing Victory are just two of a fascinating group of emerging milers and stayers. With entries due to close for the Hong Kong Classic Mile on 17 January, Fantastic Treasure (97) is third in the four-year-old crop’s handicap ratings behind only outstanding young sprinters Courier Wonder (116) and Master Eight (101).
Of Hong Kong’s progressive milers and stayers, Packing Victory (89), Blaze Warrior (89) and Senor Toba (89) are prominent along with Ima Single Man (88) and Fa Fa (88). With four more meetings until the Hong Kong Classic Mile entry deadline, the pecking order could change dramatically with the advance of several other contenders, including Master Delight (86), Rocket Spade (82), The Irishman (81), Lucky With You (79), the unbeaten Hong Kong International Sale Graduate Romantic Warrior (76) and Navas Two (75).
Last Saturday’s meeting was a cause for celebration on several fronts beyond the obvious 1 January milestone. Attendance at Sha Tin under strictly monitored health and safety protocols was just under 17,000, creating a wonderful atmosphere as our customers ushered in 2022.
Reflecting the quality of racing, turnover of HK$1.812 billion was a record for the New Year’s Day fixture and the highest of any meeting this season, capping a very encouraging start to the 2021/22 campaign which already includes the highly successful staging of the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship and LONGINES Hong Kong International Races last month.
Joao Moreira (53) and Frankie Lor (34) continue to lead the jockey and trainers’ championships, respectively, and Conghua’s contribution to Frankie’s success is clear with 17 of those winners coming from the training establishment, with six of those victories in Class 2 or above after Healthy Happy’s Group 3 triumph on Saturday.
It’s Happy Valley’s turn to shine tonight with the Group 3 January Cup, which will be run over 1800 metres as the fourth of nine races. Ka Ying Star will carry top weight with Vincent Ho to make the running in tandem with Reliable Team and Derek Leung. The pace should be good to slow. Ka Ying Star set the pace in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup and Reliable Team did the same for the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase in their most recent runs. This is a rare appearance at Happy Valley for Ka Ying Star, which made its only start over the tighter course nearly three years ago.
Zebrowski had a very difficult and determined run four weeks ago over the course and distance when he was trapped wide and without cover. Joao Moreira picks up the ride and should get a dream run from behind the leaders. He comes into the race in top form and is a win and place chance.
Savvy Nine won this race last season and has had a very similar prep in search of a repeat performance. He will go back from his outside draw and can finish the race off well under Keith Yeung with a light weight. He is a place chance.
Butterfield proved difficult to settle when overmatched in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase but gets some class relief here. He should get a much better run here from his good gate with Matthew Poon and is a place chance along with last-start winner Fast Most Furious with Matthew Chadwick.
Comment
