I hope you all had a chance to watch our races on Sunday, especially the performance of our reigning Horse of the Year Sacred Kingdom in dismissing the challenge of Dim Sum and quality mare Sweet Sanette to earn a fairly comfortable win in the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup. This was the 17th win of Sacred Kingdom's glittering career, which puts him just one more victory away from equalling the all-time Hong Kong record of 18, currently held by another legendary sprinter, Silent Witness.
However, I believe many of you would agree with the post-race observations of jockey Brett Prebble, who said that although the horse still had his strong kick, it didn’t last as long as when he was in his prime. But given that now he’s now seven years of age, which is high for a sprinter, Sacred Kingdom showed that he remains a very competitive force in domestic Group 1 company.
I would say we've been very fortunate in having two such wonderful sprinters in Hong Kong racing within just a few years of each other. Both Silent Witness and Sacred Kingdom possessed great credentials, but it's also the stories behind their successes that have helped them earn legendary status, especially how they both managed to regain success at top level following their injuries and other setbacks. Their long and successful reigns also reflect some tremendous efforts by their trainers.
We shall only need to wait another three weeks before seeing whether Sacred Kingdom can equal the all-time win record, as he is set to enter for the second leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, the domestic Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize, on Saturday 5 February at Sha Tin. This also happens to be the Chinese New Year Raceday, which is always one of our most popular and colourful meetings of the season, so his presence in this trophy event promises further thrills and excitement for our racing fans.
This morning I attended a press conference at which we unveiled the many on-course programmes and celebrations we've lined up for this year's Chinese New Year meeting. As always, it will open with a spectacular variety show in the Parade Ring. We will also set up the popular Fortune Market and an auspicious Peach Blossom Arrangement, to let racing fans wish for good luck in the Year of the Rabbit and enjoy a successful day at the racecourse. Racegoers will also have the chance of winning HK$700,000 worth of prizes, in addition to an attractive $50 million estimated dividend of the Triple Trio. So I hope you will all mark 5 February on your calendars and join us with your friends and family members for a day of top-class sport and entertainment.
Tonight we will see some of our top middle distance horses competing in the Class 1 January Cup at Happy Valley. Interestingly, there will be two Group 1 winners among the field, as Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup winner Mr Medici and Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby winner Super Satin are both taking on seasoned Happy Valley performers such as last year’s race winner Noble Conqueror in this 1800m event, making it the highest-class field seen at our city track for some years.
Unlike last season's January Cup when the rating band was only 110 to 90, we have modified the band this year so as to provide another option and chance for horses rated over 110 to take part in this top-class trophy event. I’m pleased to see that a number of media have commented favourably on this move, saying that this trophy race, and tonight's Happy Valley card in general, is the most interesting for some while. We will continue working in this direction with the aim of attracting more top horses to race at the Valley and enhance the attractiveness of these meetings to our racing fans and other customers.
The expected pace of the race will be slow, and I think it will give an advantage for horses positioned in the front. Mighty High should lead which will enhance his chances for him to finish in the top three, but Super Satin would be in a good position and is for me the horse to beat, especially when he received four pounds from Mr Medici and this gives him an extra advantage. Mr Medici is my second choice as he trialled impressively in his Happy Valley barrier trial and he should be well positioned in this race, too. Ride With The Wind’s victory in a Happy Valley mile event back in November was an impressive one. Having only to carry 114 pounds, he would be the possible runner who can upset the top horses tonight.
In contrast to the January Cup, the Chater Handicap is expected to be run at a fast pace which will benefit horses coming from off the pace. Romantic City has fantastic gate speed but is expected to come under pressure from Good Words and the recently well-trained Royal Flush. Romantic City is currently the race favourite and he should be the horse to beat in this race. The resurging Mi Reilly finished runner-up in three consecutive races and he should also have nice chance for a close finish. Forever Elation seems to have found his form. With Maxime Guyon on board, he is likely to be well placed despite the fast pace. I would be most interested to see how he performs this time. Meanwhile, Chater Mikado, who will take his debut in the Valley, will be a horse who could upstage the favourites.
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