High performance excellence is one of the enduring hallmarks of Hong Kong racing and we have been fortunate to witness incredible performances from our champion horses, jockeys and trainers over many years.
From the feats of Silent Witness, Beauty Generation, Vengeance of Rain and Golden Sixty to the training deeds of John Size, Tony Cruz, Ivan Allan and John Moore, we have also been privileged to watch jockeys Douglas Whyte, Joao Moreira, Basil Marcus and Zac Purton in full flight.
It is often futile to compare generations – irrespective of sport – because of evolving conditions, including improvements in nutrition, technology and overall expertise, but champions in all eras stand out for their single-minded approach and professionalism.
Zac Purton, already a five-time Hong Kong champion jockey, is currently riding at the peak of his powers with 69 wins from 247 rides at a winning strike rate of 27.93% to lead the 2022/23 championship by 41 wins from Vincent Ho (28), who is also having an outstanding season.
With a career total of 39 Group 1 wins spread through several different jurisdictions so far, including Hong Kong (23), Australia, Singapore, Japan and England, Zac has partnered outstanding horses such as Beauty Generation, Exultant, Ambitious Dragon and Military Attack to elite success – as well as Little Bridge in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot for Danny Shum and Aerovelocity to G1 wins in Japan and Singapore for Paul O’Sullivan.
He earlier this month added to his G1 tally with the exciting California Spangle in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m).
With a double last Saturday, Zac is only the second rider in Hong Kong racing history to reach 1,500 wins after 13-time champion Douglas Whyte. It is a towering accomplishment and one which we will acknowledge between races three and four at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with a special presentation in the parade ring.
The Four-Year-Old Classic Series is approaching and we witnessed brilliant performances at Sha Tin on Saturday from Packing Treadmill and Flagship Warrior.
We had a very sad accident when Fast Pace suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during the race, which is extremely rare, which caused Hugh Bowman to be dislodged and he had to be transported to hospital.
While Hugh missed the ride on Packing Treadmill, it is a blessing that he was not seriously injured and could spend Christmas with his family and is back riding at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Dylan Mo did a great job for Francis Lui as Hugh’s replacement on Packing Treadmill, who showed he will be a strong contender in HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) after posting a final 400m sectional of 22.21s – the fastest by a winning horse at the meeting.
Beautyverse enjoyed little luck for Tony Cruz behind Packing Treadmill but still produced a 22.23s finish to indicate he remains on track for the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which also includes the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).
Flagship Warrior clocked 22.43s in coming from last to win to also advance his Hong Kong Classic Mile credentials for David Hayes, while Majestic Colour looks to have natural improvement following his debut third for Frankie Lor.
With just over a month until the G1 Stewards’ Cup and the potential clash between Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and California Spangle on 29 January – on the same day we launch the Four-Year-Old Classic Series – it is clear there is much to be excited about in Hong Kong racing.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Chek Keng Handicap for Class 2 horses over 2200m is carded as Race 2 at 7:15pm with prizemoney of $2,900,000. Nearly Fine currently sits atop the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge and will be looking to earn valuable points here to extend his lead.
The pace in the race may only be moderate with Enjoying drawn the rails likely to hold the lead for Silvestre de Sousa with Looking Great and Sight Spirit racing on speed from their inside gates.
Nearly Fine has won three of his four starts this season and showed great acceleration under a brilliant ride by Hugh Bowman to come from last to win over 1800m on 30 November. He is out to 2200m here with Keith Yeung taking the ride and is a place chance running home hard from the back.
Running Glory had a good run midfield before sprinting in the straight to win over 1800m at Sha Tin on 20 November. He failed to make an impression backing up seven days later when unplaced behind Keefy in the Chevalier Cup Handicap over 1600m. Running Glory will have benefitted from time at Conghua since his last run and comes to Happy Valley for the first time. He should appreciate the extra distance and I make him a place chance with Zac Purton aboard.
Spirited Express came storming down the outside from last to get up in the last stride beating Berlin Tango and Rise Brethren over 1800m here on 7 December when ridden by Hollie Doyle. That was his first win in Hong Kong but he was a multiple Group winner in New Zealand and I make him a place chance extending further out in distance for Derek Leung.
Berlin Tango and Rise Brethren both ran home strongly when third and fourth, respectively, in the race won by Spirited Express. Rise Brethren has been racing in great form and has continued to work well ahead of this race and I make him a win and place chance for Vincent Ho in what appears to be a very competitive contest.
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