With just under a month to the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), calculations for the HK$24 million Classic are likely to become much clearer at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon.
The obvious starting point is the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) where all 14 runners hold entries for the BMW Hong Kong Derby on 20 March, with tomorrow’s line-up headed in the ratings by California Spangle (101) and the unbeaten Hong Kong International Sale Graduate Romantic Warrior (101).
The Irishman (92), Ima Single Man (90), Senor Toba (89), Fa Fa (88), Turin Redstar (84) and Rocket Spade (80) are next in the order with much to play for in the second leg of our Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
While the Hong Kong Classic Cup is the natural focus of the weekend’s proceedings, two other races on the undercard hold potential implications for the BMW Hong Kong Derby.
S J Tourbillon (78), Crossford (75), Champion Dragon (72), Rise Brethren (72) and Helene Allibor (67) could enhance claims of running in the Derby with success in the Class 3 Mei Tin Handicap (1800m). Similarly, Running Glory (69) and California Sky (65) could bolster Derby hopes with a win in the Class 3 Mei Lam Handicap (1400m).
The conclusion to the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge always shaped as an exciting finale, but Wednesday night’s series-ending finish was far more dramatic than most envisaged with Cheerful Days and Fa Fa dead-heating with 60 points for overall honours, earning HK$450,000 each for connections.
There was also the unusual event of Meaningful Star and Special M also dead-heating for third place with 48 points and sharing HK$100,000 at the conclusion of another successful series.
Wednesday night also provided another insight into the fiercely competitive nature of Hong Kong racing when Karis Teetan rode four winners and a third yet was beaten 58-52 in the jockey challenge by Zac Purton, who had four winners, a second and a third.
Karis’s tally of 52 points under the 12-6-4 format for a win, second and third would have won five of the past 10 jockey challenges, but was unfortunate to be upstaged by Zac, who is riding in peak form after returning from injury.
With 19 wins over the past six meetings, Zac has won the jockey challenge five times across the same period to underscore his dominance but with Joao Moreira resuming this weekend, the competition will be even more intense.
At Sha Tin on Sunday, the Hong Kong Classic Cup is the middle leg of the coveted four-year-old series and is run over 1800 metres as a steppingstone to the BMW Hong Kong Derby three weeks later. Romantic Warrior, a 2021 Hong Kong International Sale graduate, brings his undefeated record into the Classic Cup after winning the Classic Mile four weeks ago.
The pace will be good to slow and California Spangle should get the lead and should not get too much pressure under Zac Purton. Stablemate Ima Single Man has a good draw for Matthew Poon and can get the trail behind the leader. It looks tricky for Romantic Warrior. Karis Teetan will try to get a midfield run with Romantic Warrior but might be trapped wide. Gorytus, for Matthew Chadwick, is another who could be trapped wide from his draw, while The Irishman, under Vincent Ho, has been going back in his runs and this looks the case once again from his wide gate.
California Spangle will have the benefit of having in-form jockey Zac Purton on board, but I am still of the view that the step up in distance to 1800m following his brave effort to finish second in the Classic Mile will be a stiff test for him but – due to his class – I see him as a place chance.
Romantic Warrior is the horse to beat but the wide draw is of concern, even if Karis has the long run into the first bend to find a good position to unleash the turn of foot that Romantic Warrior has. Looking at his last 400m sectional in the Classic Mile, he ran 23.04s, which was the fastest of all participants.
Many of the horses in the field will be ridden quietly to help see out the trip or to suit their running styles, which makes this a tactical race.
Senor Toba had a little setback but, with Joao Moreira as his jockey and being well positioned, he is a place chance, too. Joao has the advantage of having a better draw than Romantic Warrior and will not make it easy for Karis to slot into a two-wide position.
Senor Toba was second in the Queensland Derby last year and most recently won over 2000 metres at Sha Tin two months ago. He is still learning and was a bit green when winning last time out, which means we have not seen his best. He will be closing late.
The Irishman has to come from the back of the field and is a place chance, too.
As an outsider and improver, I see Turin Redstar also running a good race for Alexis Badel after finishing fourth in the Classic Mile, along with Mr Ascendency, under Luke Ferraris, who rallied home in his last start.
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