While the majority of our jockeys are enjoying a well-deserved summer break, some are already hard at work getting ready for the new season. Among them our home-grown star and three-time Tony Cruz Award winning jockey Vincent Ho, who has seized the opportunity of a short-term riding contract in Japan to develop his riding skills.
Vincent’s fighting spirit and willingness to improve have always been key to his success and are now serving him well in Japan. He landed his first winner on his first day of riding on 30 July. On 7 August he had his first Group race victory in the G3 Leopard Stakes Kafuji Octagon for well-known international trainer Yoshito Yahagi. The Japan Racing Association has just announced that Vincent will be one of the six overseas star riders in the World’s All-Star Jockeys (WASJ) at Sapporo Racecourse at the end of August. I am confident Vincent will continue to perform well and I wish him all the best in the coming weeks, most especially at the WASJ at Sapporo.
Heading towards Sunday will be our exciting simulcast programme – the Grosser Preis von Berlin Day and Prix Jacques le Marois Day. This is the first time we have broadcast races from Germany. The Grosser Preis von Berlin is one of the events marking the 200th Birthday of German Racing, the first race being run on 10 August 1820 in Doberan.
On Friday night, I was honoured to join the anniversary dinner in Berlin and to offer my congratulations in my capacity as Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. I was also very pleased to join Saturday’s race meeting at Berlin Racecourse and to present the Preis des Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy to the winning connections.
The Sunday simulcast day will feature Group 1 races from Hoppegarten in Germany and Deauville in France as we continue to showcase the best summer races from around the world. Germany is first up with the Grosser Preis von Berlin over 2400 metres to be run at 8 pm local time.
Alter Adler will be the lone speed in the race and has been very consistent throughout his career with Quinella placings in 10 of his 12 starts. He disappointed in his last start over a rain affected course but being able to dictate the pace is an advantage for his experienced jockey Andreas Starke. I make him a place chance.
Rebel‘s Romance comes into the race off two consecutive wins since making the move from dirt to turf. His latest win was a Group 3 at Goodwood and his connections have been very successful in placing their horses in elite races. His recent form suggests that the step up is within his range and I make him a win and place chance with James Doyle.
Northern Ruler is an interesting runner for jockey Rene Piechulek. He was second to last year’s Arc winner Torquator Tasso on good to soft ground when first up for the season last month. He is a place chance.
Nerik and Assistent are both progressive three year olds that performed well in the German Derby. Nerik has turned the corner since adding blinkers in May and will be ridden by Bauyrzhan Murzabayev while Assistent was supplemented to this race and will be ridden by Thore Hammer Hansen.
Turning to Deauville, the Prix Jacques le Marois over 1600 metres will be shown at 9:55 pm. This race is run over the straight course and it will be a new experience for Japanese runner Bathrat Leon, a horse that will be ridden to lead under regular rider Ryusei Sakai. He will face pace pressure from recent Group 1 winning filly Prosperous Voyage and jockey Rob Hornby.
Coroebus will be the favourite on the strength of consecutive G1 wins against three year olds. He seems well positioned to take on older horses here and trainer Charlie Appelby reports that he is training well. Jockey William Buick will stalk the leaders and then make his bid over the concluding stages. I consider Coroebus a win and place chance.
Erevann is a lightly-raced and undefeated Dubawi colt and will be tested for class with Christophe Soumillon taking the return engagement. He is facing much tougher company here but should not be overlooked. He is a place chance along with another lightly raced runner Light Infantry, who will be in close contention with Jamie Spencer riding.
State Of Rest has won Group 1 races in America, Australia, France and the UK but the turn back in trip to 1600 will be too sharp for him. He needs further.
The Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club is a Group 3 over 2000m with only six runners but is still a very competitive race in which the horses are with proven Group form. I am interested to see how Aga Khan’s Dilawar will perform when stepping up to 2000m under Christophe Soumillon. He beat my horse Now We Know last year in August in the Prix Quincey, a Group 3 over 1600m, and I will see him as a win and place chance. Other chances are the Andreas Schutz-trained Monty, who will be ridden by Olivier Peslier and is very consistent, as well as the Wally, who will be ridden by Cristian Demuro.
Comment
