Regarded an elite staying test, the HK$12 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday serves as the appropriate bookend to our Group 1 season in Hong Kong.
The race has been won by several great champions over the years, notably Viva Pataca, River Verdon, Exultant, Vengeance Of Rain and Pakistan Star, and this weekend opportunity beckons for the field of 10 facing the starter in the HK$12 million contest.
The mantle of Hong Kong’s Champion Stayer for 2021/22 will be likely decided by the 2022 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup.
Panfield clinched that very honour last season with his victory in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup. After his good finishing third in the G1 FWD QE II Cup, he has been set for this race to retain his title with a win on Sunday.
Senor Toba’s impressive win of the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap over 2400m, which is run as a Group Handicap, makes him a new challenger as an upcoming four-year-old to the old guard.
As the season draws to a close – and with the trainers and jockeys’ championships still too tight to predict the likely winners – I am excited by the return of members of the public to our Sunday meeting.
Hong Kong racing enthusiasts create incredible energy and atmosphere at the race track and their absence has been keenly felt since January when the pandemic compelled us to operate under closed door mode.
The return recently of owners and members has also been a tremendous boost and I look forward to experiencing a more familiar atmosphere on Sunday when we witness the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, which is the final Group 1 of the season and is carded as the sixth of 11 races on Sunday, with the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase as the race-nine supporting feature.
The Champions & Chater Cup is a 2400 metre test that has been won by some of the biggest names in Hong Kong racing and is often run at an easy tempo. The presence of Ka Ying Star in this year’s edition may ensure a good pace as he will roll forward with Luke Ferraris to make the running along with jockey Derek Leung on Reliable Team. Nordic Sky, a front-running winner of his last start, will also be prominent with Antoine Hamelin.
Columbus County is well suited by the distance and has trialled well after a first-up run last month. He seems primed for a big effort with Matthew Chadwick taking the ride and I make him a place chance coming from the back. He finished second in this race last year and this is his preferred trip.
Jockey Joao Moreira has elected to stay with Senor Toba after his last-start win in the G3 Queen Mother when carrying a lighter weight. He is also a proven stayer and will get every chance from midfield as a place chance.
Panfield won this race last year and comes off a much-improved run with a third-place showing in the G1 FWD QEII Cup and he since trialled well to reinforce his good form. He reunites with jockey Karis Teetan and is a win and place chance. Zebrowski is a place chance and I expect he will be reserved early under Vincent Ho and finish the race off well. He was taken back in his recent trial to prepare for this change in tactic.
Russian Emperor is a Group 1-winning son of Galileo and would move up on a rain affected track. I prefer him over middle distances as opposed to this staying test.
In the 1200 metre G3 Sha Tin Vase, the pace will be good with Nervous Witness pushing forward under the light weight of jockey Vagner Borges, along with Computer Patch and jockey Matthew Chadwick. This is the first time around the bend at Sha Tin for Nervous Witness.
Sky Field must concede weight under the handicap conditions but has been very consistent throughout his career over the course and distance. He will be closing ground under regular rider Blake Shinn and is a place chance.
Cordyceps Six is a progressive three-year- old coming off a big run in his last start with strong closing sectionals. He gets in light at the weights with Alexis Badel and figures to get a midfield run. I make him a win and place to upset the field.
Computer Patch turned in a solid effort in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize and is a place chance along with Super Wealthy and jockey Zac Purton.
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