The running of the first Hong Kong Group 1 race of the year is always an exciting occasion and it is doubly so this weekend when the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) and HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) combine as a wonderful feature race double-header at Sha Tin on Sunday (19 January).
The meeting, one of the most anticipated of the 2024/25 season, showcases Hong Kong’s incredible equine talent with KA YING RISING (rated 128) and VOYAGE BUBBLE (128) spearheading respective entries for the Centenary Sprint Cup and Stewards’ Cup.
As a Group 1 winner at our flagship LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) in December, KA YING RISING will face formidable opposition this weekend, notably from fellow G1 winners VICTOR THE WINNER and INVINCIBLE SAGE in the Centenary Sprint Cup, along with G1-placed HELIOS EXPRESS and LUCKY WITH YOU along with the in-form HOWDEEPISYOURLOVE, MAGIC CONTROL and BEAUTY WAVES.
Similarly, VOYAGE BUBBLE’s quest for a third Group 1 will be challenged by fellow Group 1 winners CALIFORNIA SPANGLE and BEAUTY ETERNAL as well as BEAUTY JOY, RED LION, CHANCHENG GLORY, the extremely talented GALAXY PATCH and the progressive PATCH OF THETA in the Stewards’ Cup.
The Centenary Sprint Cup and the Stewards’ Cup not only offer tremendous prizemoney and prestige in their own right, but also mark the start of the Hong Kong Speed Series and Triple Crown, which carry HK$5 million and HK$10 million bonuses, respectively, to any horse which can will all three legs of the series.
Additionally, the return to Hong Kong of James McDonald to ride VOYAGE BUBBLE, Blake Shinn (GALAXY PATCH) and Craig Williams (MAGIC CONTROL) adds even more lustre to Sunday’s meeting.
At Happy Valley on Wednesday night (15 January), the Beer Garden will host the first of our Blossom Nights as we prepare to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Guests will be able indulge in Lunar New Year festivities and honour cherished customs while enjoying musical performances, festive treats and themed decorations.
The sporting highlight is the Class 2 Jackson Handicap, which is carded as Race 4 at 8.10pm and is run over 1000m for prizemoney of HK$2.84 million. This is a very intriguing race despite having only nine starters because we have a number of Happy Valley 1000m specialists competing against some good sprinters, who have run only at Sha Tin so far.
The pace will be good with YOUTHFUL SPIRITS (Matthew Chadwick) likely to lead from gate three and BOTTOMUPTOGETHER (Zac Purton) holding a position behind the leader from gate one. HARMONY N BLESSED (Andrea Atzeni) has good gate speed and will be close to the front from barrier two and WHIZZ KID (Alexis Pouchin) is also likely to go forward from barrier eight.
BOTTOMUPTOGETHER is racing at Happy Valley for the first time and has raced well this season in four runs without winning. At his latest start, he led over 1200m at Sha Tin and held on for third behind RAGING BLIZZARD and GORGEOUS WIN on 22 December. Zac goes back aboard BOTTOMUPTOGHETHER and he should enjoy a good run from his inside gate and is my win and place selection.
BRAVE STAR has won his only three starts this season, all over 1200m at Happy Valley. BRAVE STAR trialled well at Conghua on 3 January in preparation for his return to racing here and he is a place chance for Derek Leung, who takes the ride for the first time.
YOUTHFUL SPIRITS will be able to use his speed to lead. He was run down in the concluding stages by ATOMIC FORCE at his latest run over the course and distance on 11 December. YOUTHFUL SPIRITS has been at Conghua since, winning a recent trial. Matthew Chadwick takes the ride for the first time and YOUTHFUL SPIRITS is a place chance.
MAJESTIC KNIGHT (Hugh Bowman) is a three-time course and distance winner who returns to his favourite track and he is a place chance.
STELLAR EXPRESS (Brenton Avdulla) is working well but he and WHIZZ KID are at risk of being kept three-wide which would negatively impact the chances of both horses.
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