The presence at trackwork at Sha Tin over the past week of some of the world’s finest horses – both from overseas and locally-trained – serves as a reminder that we are now only eight days away from the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) on 10 December.
Following months of thorough planning, the steady stream of overseas contenders arriving in Hong Kong for the HK$118 million LONGINES HKIR accelerated on Thursday (30 November) when a star-studded contingent of Japanese runners including SERIFOS, NAMUR, PROGNOSIS and GERALDINA took up residence at Sha Tin.
Preparing to challenge Hong Kong’s best led by GOLDEN SIXTY, ROMANTIC WARRIOR and LUCKY SWEYNESSE, the visiting brigade will be ultimately strengthened by the presence of Group 1 winners such as HIGHFIELD PRINCESS, LUXEMBOURG and WARM HEART.
As our world-class visitors settle into Sha Tin, I would like to wish all participants the very best of luck as we prepare for a week of racing highlights.
The first of our major racing events next week is the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley on Wednesday (6 December) and it shapes once more as a magnificent competition given the quality of jockeys assembled.
We have four previous winners of the series involved – Ryan Moore, Zac Purton, Tom Marquand and Karis Teetan – as well as two winners of the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey award – Ryan and James McDonald.
Additionally, we have newcomers Rachel King and Bauyrzhan Murzabayev, who join Mickael Barzalona, Hollie Doyle, Yuga Kawada, Vincent Ho and Lyle Hewitson in a stellar line-up.
Crowning the off-course activities is next Friday’s (8 December) Gala Dinner where we will anoint the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey based on Group 1 results during 2023.
International occasions such as LONGINES HKIR also present invaluable opportunities for passionate and dedicated horse racing personnel from many different jurisdictions to meet and discuss the issues pertinent to our sport.
I take this opportunity to welcome all our visitors and LONGINES HKIR participants to Hong Kong for what is always a memorable and stimulating week.
At Sha Tin on Sunday, the feature race is The Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap, which is carded as Race 6 at 3.35pm for Class 2 horses over 1200m on the All Weather Track with prizemoney of $2,840,000.
The pace in the race will be strong with CAMPIONE likely to have the gate speed to find the front. XPONENTIAL should hold rail position behind the leader with KURPANY going forward from his wide gate to be on pace. There are a number of other runners who will also want to settle in the leading group.
YOUTHFUL DEAL should be able to land in the front half of the field for Vincent Ho from his inside draw. YOUTHFUL DEAL has an outstanding record at this course and distance having won at his past three runs and finishing in the top three in all six starts. YOUTHFUL DEAL came away for an easy trial win again over the course and distance on 21 November and he is my win and place selection.
FLYING ACE has been consistent at three runs this season and followed successive runner-up efforts, when he was narrowly beaten both times, with a close third to HELIOS EXPRESS in a strong race on 19 November. FLYING ACE is yet to win in this class and races on the All Weather Track for the first time but is in great form and is a place chance for Zac Purton.
PACKING TREADMILL also comes from the HELIOS EXPRESS race where he led and fought on gamely all the way down the running before the winner denied him victory by a neck. PACKING TREADMILL was a winner two starts previously when he again found the front and beat FLYING ACE in a close finish. He comes to the All Weather Track for the first time under race conditions but is a place chance from gate five for Lyle Hewitson.
KURPANY is a winner at the course and distance, as is PING HAI GALAXY, who trialled last week and both can surprise at good odds. CHANCHENG PRINCE and MAJESTIC STAR are also effective on the All Weather Track.
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