With the arrival this week of the first wave of international contenders for FWD Champions Day – and with only 11 days until the Sha Tin showcase meeting – there is an unmistakable sense of anticipation and excitement building.
The safe arrivals from Australia of Dubai Honour, My Oberon and Aegon marks the start of the final countdown to FWD Champions Day, when 10 individual international Group 1 winners feature among 26 runners chasing glory in the HK$20 million G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m), HK$20 million G1 FWD Champions Mile (1600m) and HK$25 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m).
By Sunday, the entire contingent of visiting will be complete as we welcome Aguri, Danon The Kid, Geraldina, Prognosis and Hishi Iguazu from Japan and Flaming Rib from England to challenge Hong Kong’s elite led by Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, Lucky Sweynesse, Wellington and California Spangle ahead of what shapes as another wonderful celebration of international racing.
At Sha Tin on Tuesday morning, there was a strong sense of what we can expect on Sunday week when Golden Sixty and 2023 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Voyage Bubble limbered up for Group 1 duty in the FWD Champions Mile with good trials over 1200m.
With the final touches now being applied to all contenders, I wish all connections the very best of luck.
One of the joys of the 2022/23 season has been the return of the Happy Wednesday experience at the Happy Valley Beer Garden. The removal of COVID-19 social distancing and health restrictions has allowed the Beer Garden to quickly become a destination of choice once more on Wednesday evenings.
The atmosphere and entertainment created this season has been wonderful and it is been uplifting to see so many people once again enjoying music, food and beverages while also celebrating world-class racing at our famous city track with the return to normality.
Last Wednesday, our fans were able to enjoy a rendition of the Happy Wednesday theme song, “Happy” from Pharrell. The song perfectly fits the Happy Wednesday vibe and the reaction among racegoers was a clear sign of their appreciation.
Racing returns to Happy Valley this Wednesday night when the first section of the Ho Man Tin Handicap is carded as Race 9 for Class 3 horses over 1200m at 10.50pm with prizemoney of $1,725,000.
The pace in the race will be good as Sakewin will go forward from gate nine in an effort to lead and will be interesting to see if Zac Purton on Allgreektome tries to hold the lead or takes a sit behind Sakewin from his inside gate. Beauty Tycoon also races on pace and Lucky Eight and Brave Star will also hold a forward position in running.
Allgreektome went forward from a wide gate at his last start and sat outside the leader before taking hitting the front half way up the running over this course and distance on 22 March. Allgreektome fought on well but was swamped late by Eason. From barrier one here with Zac aboard, he is my win and place selection.
Brave Star has a good record at this course and distance this season winning two of his last four runs. He had a perfect run, third behind the leader on 8 March when coming through on the rails to beat Gummy Gummy under a perfect Vincent Ho ride. He has a perfect draw again in gate four and is a place chance.
Lucky Eight was rewarded for his consistency this season when coming through on the rails in the last 50 metres to beat Majestic Knight over this course and distance on 22 March. Karis Teetan again takes the ride and should have him well placed from gate two and is a place chance.
Sakewin is an interesting runner coming to Happy Valley to race for the first time tonight. He won over 1200m at Sha Tin two starts ago under Angus Chung. He disappointed at his start after that on 5 February but looked good in winning a recent trial. Sakewin also won a trial at Happy Valley back in December and if he can find the lead reasonably comfortably from his outside gate, he is a place chance.
Nordic Dragon was unlucky last start when hampered at the 600m and then rallied but had no clear run in the final 50m. With Hugh Bowman riding, he is a place chance.
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