A palpable sense of anticipation has enveloped Sha Tin ahead of the season-opening meeting on Sunday (11 September) and, on speaking with trainers and jockeys at trackwork on Tuesday (6 September), it is clear everyone is highly motivated ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
A recurring theme from the participants was how refreshed they feel after taking the opportunity to rest and recuperate – in some cases during family reunions abroad – and how keen they are to resume competition this weekend.
Entries for the first of 88 meetings, headed by the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m), are strong and will be fascinating to watch G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) winner Sky Field jousting with up-and-coming young horses such as last season’s Champion Griffin Lucky Sweynesse and Campione under the handicap conditions.
One of the traditions ahead of Sunday’s meeting involves the staging of bai-sun ceremonies at Sha Tin and it was wonderful to again participate in this wonderful event with colleagues and our media friends on Tuesday.
Apart from the HK$3.465 million feature on Sunday, we will also witness the start of Pierre Ng’s training career in a continuation of his family’s long and successful association with Hong Kong racing, the return of Silvestre de Sousa and the Hong Kong riding debut of Angus Chung.
Sunday’s 10-race programme will also herald the return of Hong Kong champion trainer Frankie Lor and champion jockey Zac Purton, who can both expect spirited opposition this weekend from Caspar Fownes and Danny Shum, who are strongly represented in the entries, and – in Zac’s case – Karis Teetan, Alexis Badel and Derek Leung, among many others.
As usual, we can expect high quality racing action to enthral and entertain our customers over the coming months after what has been a very successful off-season filled with world-class simulcast programmes from around the world.
Unfortunately for Hong Kong, Korea’s testing sand surface proved too much for Computer Patch, who finished fifth in the G3 Korea Sprint (1200m), and Kings Shield, who was ninth in the G3 Korea Cup (1800m) last Sunday.
The kick back made it tough for both horses but all honours remain with Korea’s runners Eoma Eoma and Winner’s Man, who revelled in familiar conditions on what was a very successful day for Korean racing.
Last Sunday’s simulcast also featured the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m) at Baden-Baden in Germany, where Rene Piechulek partnered Mendocino to a narrow win over his regular mount Torquator Tasso and Frankie Dettori.
Piechulek’s knowledge of Torquator Tasso proved decisive for Mendocino, who is trained by the jockey’s partner Sarah Steinberg, and sets the stage for a possible rematch in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) in Paris next month, when unbeaten British star Baaeed could face his greatest challenge against the cream of Europe’s middle-distance performers.
Mendocino and Torquator Tasso – along with the fourth horse in the Grosser Preis von Baden, Alter Adler – are all by one of my favourite stallions Adlerflug. As breeders, we all hope and dream that one day we can win a race as prestigious as the Grosser Preis von Baden.
Adlerflug was a very good stallion and, in fact, I own the last foal he sired because one day after he covered my mare Now Forever, he unfortunately passed away. Now Forever is the dam of my colt Now We Know, who is Group 3-placed and winner of last year’s Grand Handicap de Deauville.
With those bloodlines, I’m hopeful this foal might one day follow in the successful footsteps of Adlerflug’s older progeny.
Our simulcast programme continues at Leopardstown on Saturday night with Irish Champion Stakes Day.
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