Few things in racing stir the senses as much as the imminent reappearance of champions – horses and humans – and we are fortunate in Hong Kong to celebrate both this week.
The announcement of the overseas riders selected to compete in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) on 7 December at Happy Valley and the return of Golden Sixty, Wellington and Romantic Warrior at Bank Of China (Hong Kong) Race Day at Sha Tin this Sunday, 20 November sets the scene perfectly for our “Celebration of Champions” next month.
With less than a month until the LONGINES IJC and the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) on 11 December, the prospective line-ups for both world-class events are now rapidly taking shape.
History will be made at Happy Valley on 7 December when Hollie Doyle and Jamie Kah, the world’s best two female jockeys, ride against each other for the first time in Hong Kong as they bid for the prestigious LONGINES IJC crown against Ryan Moore, James McDonald, Yuga Kawada, Mickael Barzalona, Tom Marquand, Jye McNeil and Zac Purton – with the field to be completed by three more elite Hong Kong riders.
With so much talent on display, the LONGINES IJC shapes as a truly memorable event and serves as a wonderful precursor to the LONGINES HKIR, where some of the very best horses in the world will compete for a combined purse of HK$110 million across four Group 1s.
Golden Sixty returns this weekend in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) for Francis Lui and Vincent Ho as Hong Kong’s equine idol begins his quest for potentially a third consecutive G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) next month.
His return bout with California Spangle, who seeks to avenge G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) defeat, pits Hong Kong’s reigning Horse of the Year against one of most exciting new stars and lays the platform for the pair’s international assignments at LONGINES HKIR.
Hong Kong Champion Sprinter Wellington also appears on Sunday in the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) for Richard Gibson and Alexis Badel and again squares off against fellow G1 winners Sky Field and Stronger as well as emerging talents Cordyceps Six and Lucky Sweynesse.
A wonderful trio of quality contests is completed by the clash of Romantic Warrior – last season’s Hong Kong Champion Four-Year-Old, Hong Kong Champion Middle-Distance horse and Most Improved horse – with Hong Kong Champion Stayer Russian Emperor in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m).
Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting is also important from a customer perspective with the resumption of walk-in admission for both public and Members’ enclosures. Eating and drinking will be allowed in the outdoor areas of the racecourse.
While customers no longer need to present their Vaccine Pass QR Code for scanning upon entry, all entrants must still scan the LeaveHomeSafe Venue QR Code and comply with vaccination requirements under the Vaccine Pass to enter the premises. Mask wearing is required except when consuming food or drinks.
With so much to look forward to, our focus switches to Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Tonight’s race meeting has a Japanese theme and the trophy race is the Class 3 Japan Racing Association (JRA) Trophy Handicap, where the leading chances are upcoming four-year-olds Adios, who will be ridden by Matthew Poon, and Gallant Waking for Vincent Ho. The JRA is one of the pillars of the Asian Racing Federation as well as the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.
The Tokyo Handicap for Class 2 horses over 1650m is carded as Race 8 and carries prizemoney of HK$2.9 million with Mr Ascendency chasing a PP Top-Up Bonus of HK$1 million for his owners if he can win the race.
The race is an intriguing contest with many winning chances and, interestingly, The Irishman, Mr Ascendency and So We Joy are all racing at Happy Valley for the first time.
There will be genuine speed in this race from the outset with Telecom Fighters drawn gate 11 likely to try and find the lead and Everyone’s Delight drawn the widest also likely to push forward. Californiadeepshot, who has a middle draw, also likes the lead and will help inject early pace into the contest.
The fast pace should suit closers in the race. The Irishman stormed home from last at the half way mark to win impressively over 1400m at Sha Tin beating Galaxy Witness and Beluga, with Beluga then winning last Saturday’s (12 November) Class 1 Panasonic Cup Handicap. Ruan Maia takes the ride again after winning on The Irishman last start and he will be running home hard and is a win and place chance.
Mr Ascendency will also be closing late off a fast pace. He was held up for a clear run before finishing hard in the final stages when fifth behind impressive debut winner Beautyverse over 1600m at Sha Tin on 6 November. Jye McNeil takes the ride on Mr Ascendency and, with a perfect draw, I make him a place chance.
Savaquin ran home well when third to Berlin Tango here 12 October before battling hard to the line when fourth on AWT behind Kings Shield at his last outing at Sha Tin. Savaquin continues to race well without winning and is a place chance.
Fa Fa has five wins over 1650m at Happy Valley and was held up at the 350m when fourth last start behind Berlin Tango. He is working very well and from barrier one for Vincent Ho, he is also a place chance.
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