At Sha Tin on Saturday, the National Day race meeting was celebrated in fine style with attendance of 11,701 and turnover of HK$1.588 billion – the second-highest for a National Day meeting – and the performance by Super Wealthy.
With the improving COVID-19 situation in Hong Kong, we will look into how we can increase attendances to enable more of our racing fans enjoying their racecourse experiences.
Becoming the first horse to win the G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) twice, Super Wealthy surged through the final 400m in 22.13s and the last 800m in 42.73s to underline his quality as a short-course performer.
Having downed the emerging Cordyceps Six and proven Group 1 performers Sky Field and Stronger, Super Wealthy will now be prepared for the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 11 December when David Hayes’ consistent speedster will be given a chance against the elite.
For the second year running, our dual simulcast last week featured a blend of the world’s best sprinters and stayers competing at Group 1 level on a memorable Sunday.
At Nakayama, in a contest which often features potential Japanese contenders for the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, seven-year-old gelding Gendarme caused a 20/1 upset under Kiwama Ogino for Yasutoshi Ikee in the G1 Sprinters Stakes (1200m), prevailing in 1m 07.8os on firm ground. The victory was also represented a remarkable achievement for Gendarme’s family given his dam Believe also won the Sprinters Stakes in 2002.
Conditions in Paris for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) were considerably different to those on display the outskirts of Tokyo as Alpinista gave the remarkable British trainer Sir Mark Prescott and Luke Morris an unforgettable victory, beating Vadeni and last year’s winner Torquator Tasso on very soft ground.
I was also happy to witness the excellent win during Arc weekend of Kinross in the G1 Prix de la Foret for Hong Kong owner Marc Chan.
The 56th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities has opened in Paris and, with so many important issues to discuss with my colleagues from all over the world, there is a wide range of topics vital to racing’s future to be considered.
After two years of convening virtually because of COVID-19, it is wonderful that this year’s conference has seen many International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) members reunite in person to address matters such as climate change, rules harmonisation and the World Pool.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Hong Kong Country Club Challenge Cup is a Class 3 handicap over 1650 metres, carded as the sixth of nine races. The pace will be good to slow with Master Hero likely to push forward to secure a forward position along with Viva Hunter and Savvy Kingman. Nimble Nimbus will also be prominent along with Ode To Joy.
Nimble Nimbus finished last season in good form and he had a good trial in preparation for his return. He should get a nice run from his good draw with Derek Leung up and I make him a win and place chance.
Storm Legend is another top contender as he is well drawn with Harry Bentley and is rounding into top form. This is his third run in the young season and he looks primed for his best effort. He is a place chance and a realistic chance for the new $1 million Class 3 bonus.
Savvy Kingman is making his first start of the season and will likely take a sit behind the leaders and may settle midfield based on the way he trialled at Conghua. He can go well first up and is also a place chance with in-form jockey Lyle Hewitson.
Zone D won twice over this course and distance last season and I make him a place chance for Vagner Borges.
Comment
