Milestones feature regularly throughout the Hong Kong racing season and, at Sha Tin on Saturday, we witnessed a trio of landmark wins involving Ellis Wong, Hugh Bowman and Matthew Chadwick.
It’s always exciting to watch the progress of young talents and I congratulate Ellis for his first Hong Kong victory on Storm Legend for Caspar Fownes. With experience and opportunities, especially with a 10-lb claim, hopefully Ellis can develop in every aspect as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of his idol Vincent Ho.
Regarding milestones, it was also great to see Matthew Chadwick ride his 300th Sha Tin winner while Hugh Bowman continued a strong season with his 50th victory. As daunting as it must appear for a rider such as Ellis to compete against world-class jockeys such as Zac Purton, Vincent Ho and Alexis Badel, it is also the ultimate place to learn.
Ellis is the latest young rider to emerge from the Club’s Racing Talent Training Centre and I wish him the best as his career unfolds.
The return of the Hong Kong Macau Trophy Handicap was on occasion to savour at Sha Tin on Saturday with Red Lion’s victory, especially through the ownership of Mr Ronald Arculli and his wife Johanna. Ronald was Club Chairman when the interport series was inaugurated in 2004 and it was appropriate that after an absence of three years because of COVID-19 that Red Lion was able to win the race for Ronald and Johanna.
On Sunday, we have two simulcast meetings featuring three Group 1 contests, starting with the Victoria Mile (1600m) for older mares, which is carded as S1-6 from Tokyo Racecourse at 2.40pm.
The race has been previously won by quality horses Vodka, Buena Vista, Almond Eye and Gran Alegria. Pure white, Sodashi is one of the most recognisable racehorses in the world and among the most popular with racing fans in Japan. She won this race last year settling fifth on the rail, coming away for a commanding win. Sodashi last raced in November against the males when third to Serifos and Danon The Kid. Damian Lane won the race on Normcore in 2019 and takes the ride on Sodashi. Despite drawing the widest gate, Sodashi is a place chance.
Stars On Earth, who won the Thousand Guineas and Oaks in Japan last year, was the top filly of her generation. At her first run this year she was excellent second to Jack d’Or in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) on 2 April. Stars On Earth will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire, who has won three editions of the race and with an ideal draw in gate two, I make Stars On Earth my win and place selection.
There are a number of other high-quality runners in the race and Andvaranaut, Stunning Rose, Izu Jo No Kiseki and Namur all have place claims.
Later on Sunday, the G1 Poule d’Essai Poulains (1600m) for colts and the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (1600m) for fillies has attracted some of the best three-year-old milers in Europe to ParisLongchamp.
The G1 Poule d’Essai Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) is carded as S2-1 and will be run at 9.50pm.
France has not been able to win the race in the last two years but have good prospects for this edition.
American Flag has looked good winning both his starts this year and came away for an easy G3 win over this course and trip on 16 April, beating Marhaba Ya Sanafi. Victory would be career-defining for his trainer Yann Barberot and American Flag is a win and place chance.
The overseas challenge is headed by Isaac Shelby for trainer Brian Meehan. Isaac Shelby was a G2 winner as a two-year-old and resumed at Newbury on 22 April, leading throughout to win the G3 Greenham Stakes. That was the race subsequent Guineas winner Chaldean completed riderless after tipping Frankie Dettori off just after the start. It was an impressive win nonetheless by Isaac Shelby and he is a place chance.
Hans Andersen, trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, resumed on 2 April with a strong win over 1400m in heavy conditions at Leopardstown and is also a place chance.
The G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches is carded as S2-2 and will be run at 10.30 pm. Champion trainer Criquette Head won this race seven times, Alec Head was a two-time winning trainer, Freddy Head rode seven winners of the French Classic and the overwhelming favourite for this year’s race is Blue Rose Cen, trained by Christopher Head.
Blue Rose Cen completed her two-year-old season with a dominant G1 win over this course and distance in October. She resumed on 16 April taking a G3 contest when leading throughout on heavy ground. Aurelian Lemaitre will have Blue Rose Cen in a stalking position close to the lead and she is a win and place chance.
Aidan O’Brien’s only win in the race came in 2001 and the champion trainer is represented this year Never Ending Story. Never Ending Story ran third behind Blue Rose Cen in October and looked to have progressed further when easily winning the G3 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on 2 April. Ryan Moore rides and I make Never Ending Story a place chance.
Other fillies with chances include Sauterne and Showay, both trained by Patrick Cottier, and master trainer Andre Fabre’s emerging filly Quickstep.
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