Last Wednesday we saw a thrilling battle in the 1O1O Million Challenge finale at Happy Valley after Fun Rider, lying second in the Challenge rankings, added another six points to go top by finishing runner-up in the penultimate race. It left previous leader Turbo King needing a result in the night's final event, the Briar Handicap, to settle the contest and claim the HK$650,000 winning bonus.
In what was his first appearance in a Class 1 event, Turbo King was forced to race three-wide during the race, but overcame this disadvantage and produced an impressive lunge on the straight to finish second. This took him narrowly back into the lead with 57 points to Fun Rider's 53, and he duly became our 2010/11 Million Challenge champion.
In my opinion it was an outstanding performance as not many runners during the evening managed to produce a late kick when raced wide in the early stages. It is even more special to have a three-year-old winning the Million Challenge. But Turbo King fully deserves the honour for his hugely consistent performances this season, with four wins and three seconds in his seven Valley starts.
With mission accomplished, trainer Manfred Man said after the race that he would give the horse some good rest before deciding whether to continue focusing him on Happy Valley or turning to Sha Tin races in the future. I would say that giving Turbo King a break is definitely a sensible move, considering that he is still only three and has plenty of time to develop. Hopefully he can keep showing further improvement after the short break.
It’s always enjoyable to see these budding young stars move up the ranks and achieve good results at top level. Very shortly you will have the chance to watch some of the most exciting young prospects in Australia contest one of this season's top two-year-old events, as we are simulcasting the Blue Diamond Stakes from Caulfield Racecourse in Melbourne, our first simulcast of 2011.
There is no doubt that the quality of two-year-old events in Australia has been of a very high standard in recent years, so you may well be able to see some future international superstars in action in this A$1 million race.
For the other five simulcast races of the day, you can watch familiar names in action like More Joyous, a star filly in Australia, former top-class Hong Kong runner Dao Dao and Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint runner Ortensia. They are all contesting the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, which is also the first leg of this year's Asian Mile Challenge. 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking will also participate in the G2 St George Stakes. So I look forward to a great day of racing and hope you will enjoy this programme.
Tomorrow at Sha Tin Racecourse a crop of our top-class middle distance runners in Hong Kong will be lining up for the HK Group 1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup, the second leg of this season's Triple Crown. Although last year’s winner Collection is sidelined by injuries, John Moore will still be triple-handed as he sets out to achieve his fourth consecutive success in this 2000m race. His three entries are Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup runner-up Irian, Jebsen Centenary Vase winner Mighty High and veteran champion and two-time Gold Cup winner Viva Pataca.
Let’s see if Moore can continue his domination of this race tomorrow, facing the likes of Derby champion Super Satin, champion stayer Mr Medici and also the Ryan Moore-ridden King Dancer.
With the expected good to slow pace in the Gold Cup, Packing Winner from Gate 1 should be able to take the lead and this will give him some advantage. He has a good chance for a close finish and will take some running down. Mighty High should be in an ideal spot behind the pace and close enough to attack Packing Winner when coming into the straight. He also has a strong chance, and in my view, he could even be able to contest for the top prize in this race. Mr Medici ran a surprisingly decent race in the Stewards’ Cup. He should also be settled in a good position and is a major contender as well. Irian’s working very well recently. Even though he will have to come off the pace, but I believe he has plenty of ability and he will remain to be the horse to beat in this 2000m event.
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