Group level performances of the highest quality are always exciting and in Hong Kong and Sydney last weekend we enjoyed a preview of what might be expected at FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on 30 April.
COVID-19 meant 2022 FWD Champions Day was restricted to Hong Kong-trained horses, but we are delighted to be in a position to welcome back overseas connections this year and, given Dubai Honour’s display in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last Saturday, the HK$25 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) looms as a fantastic contest.
With last season’s winner Romantic Warrior’s form at 2000m and his strong trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning, the likely presence of Russian Emperor and other quality local entrants as well as the strong chance of powerful Japanese participation and others, the FWD QEII Cup shapes already as a highlight of the meeting.
Lucky Sweynesse’s effort to win the G2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin last Sunday over reigning Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter Wellington confirmed his status as one of the very best sprinters in the world with a closing 400m sectional of 21.74s after making an awkward start.
As only a four-year-old, and in only his second racing season, Manfred Man’s star still appears to be on the rise and he is certainly the benchmark ahead of the HK$20 million Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), while Wellington’s class means he can never be discounted.
The HK$20 million FWD Champions Mile (1600m) remains California Spangle’s target after his fighting G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) win. Tony Cruz is adamant California Spangle’s best chance of beating Golden Sixty again is by leading, again setting the stage of another epic showdown between two fantastic milers.
Speaking of outstanding performances, Hugh Bowman’s return to Hong Kong racing from Australia served as a reminder of his incredible skills with four wins, three seconds and a third from eight rides to win the Jockey Challenge with 70 points.
It is not often Zac Purton doesn’t win the Jockey Challenge with four wins, a second and 54 points, but he had his colours lowered on Sunday in something of a rarity. Of the 60 meetings so far this season, Zac has won the Jockey Challenge on 29 occasions and has also posted the highest individual score to date with 84 points after seven wins from 10 rides on 9 October.
While Zac leads the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship clearly with 116 wins from Vincent Ho (60), Hugh’s rise to third place with 43 wins has been a fantastic effort and there is no doubt about the quality and depth he brings with his experience and guile.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the Wyndham Handicap is carded as Race 8 for Class 2 horses over 1650m at 10.15pm with prizemoney of HK$2,900,000.
The pace in the race will be good as Telecom Fighters goes forward from gate eight to take up his customary role as leader and Everyone’s Delight holding a forward position from his rails draw. Nimble Nimbus and Encountered will also be in the leading division.
Nimble Nimbus has a great record at the course and distance having won three times this season, including the last two on the bounce. Hugh gave him a perfect ride last start, one off the fence in the moving line when he beat Loyal Baby on 15 March. Alexis Badel takes over and despite a rise in class, Nimble Nimbus is a place chance from an ideal draw.
Savaquin posted his first win in almost two years when he came off the rails before the turn and got a brilliant run through the field under Hugh to hold off Gorytus over this course and distance on 22 March. Savaquin has drawn gate five again and should get a perfect run just off the speed and is a place chance.
Gorytus was outstanding at his first run of the season, storming home to beat Encountered on 8 February and then charged late down the outside to beat all but Savaquin on 22 March. Gorytus has a good draw in gate four and is a win and place chance for Jerry Chau.
This race will be a highly competitive contest with a number of horses racing well like Berlin Tango, Rise Brethren and Everyone’s Delight having place claims.
Handsome Twelve is an interesting runner as he comes to Happy Valley for the first time and has his first run on turf since September last year, having won three times on the All Weather this season.
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