In midweek we announced the selected runners for the BMW Champions Mile at Sha Tin on 25 April. I expect many of you will be quite surprised to learn that the connections of Dubai Duty Free winner Presvis have opted to enter him in the Champions Mile instead of the following Sunday's Audemars Piguet QE II Cup – the race he has contested for the past two years.
I've since learned from the racing media that a key factor in the decision was the clash of the APQEII raceday with the Guineas raceday at Newmarket. If Presvis was chosen to run in the APQEII Cup, his regular rider Ryan Moore would most likely be unavailable, as he is expected to partner Sir Michael Stoute’s filly Havant in the 1000 Guineas Stakes.
Another reason is that the Dubai Duty Free and BMW Champions Mile are the second and third legs respectively of the Asian Mile Challenge. If Presvis can win a further leg, the Owner and trainer of this seven-year-old are each eligible for a bonus prize of automobile, on top of their share of the HK$12 million purse for this Group 1 event.
Unexpected though the switch may be, we're delighted to have this wonderful horse making his fourth appearance at Sha Tin. Although we will not now be able to see Presvis square off with Dubai World Cup winner Victoire Pisa on our home turf, his presence will add further excitement to the BMW Champions Mile which already boasts a star-studded entry list, with three other overseas contenders and 10 top home runners. They include Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Flash and runner-up Royal Bench, Godolphin Mile second runner-up Red Jazz, 2010 UAE Derby winner Musir and last but not least, defending champion Able One from John Moore's yard.
The four visiting contenders make this strongest overseas line-up since the Champions Mile was opened to international runners in 2005. I believe it's going to be a fantastic race.
As you may know, last year’s Champions Mile winner Able One will be making his first start this afternoon since his shock withdrawal from the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile in December, as he will run in the Chow Tai Fook Bauhinia Sprint Trophy. It's a shame that this nice horse has been niggled by injury throughout his career, as his outstanding track record may otherwise have been even more stellar. Now he's recovered from his latest setback, a stress fracture on his left hind leg, it will be interesting to see how he performs in this 1000m Hong Kong Group 3 event, which could prove a useful step-up in his bid to win the BMW Champions Mile for a third time later this month.
To add further excitement to this afternoon's race at Sha Tin, Able One will be facing our sprint sensation Sacred Kingdom. While these two top horses have been dominant in Hong Kong's mile and sprint races respectively in recent seasons, interestingly this will be their very first encounter in the same race. Certainly, horse form would appear to favour Sacred Kingdom considering the distance factor, but let’s see how these two great horses shape up when they line-up against other veteran and up-and-coming sprinters today.
Don’t forget that tomorrow we shall also be bringing you five simulcast races from the Macau Hong Kong Trophy raceday at Taipa Racecourse. Five Hong Kong runners will compete with the nine-strong Macau team in this HK$2.3 million event. So please stay tuned to see if a Hong Kong horse can achieve our third "away win" in the race’s history.
Back to the Chow Tai Fook Bauhinia Sprint Trophy, it’s great to see Able One returning to the races. With the expected fast pace, even it is not his distance but this race should help him in his preparation for the BMW Champions Mile. Sacred Kingdom is working very well. Although he’s returning from a short break, he remains to be the horse to beat. Having said that, smart mare Sweet Sanette has been working very well after changing her stable, which I would guess that will be helpful. She’s drawn in Gate 10 and her presence will ensure this race not to be a walk in the park for other runners, including Sacred Kingdom. This five-year-old mare, along with Jeff Lloyd’s ride Vital Flyer, are both the other quality runners to look at in this 1000m event.
The Beijing Clubhouse Anniversary Cup is expected to be run in a fast pace, too. With the high draws, it gives some advantage to Xi Ying Men and he’s my top choice in this race. Having drawn Gate 11, he’s working very well recently and I would not hold his last race on the All Weather against him. Fair Navigator is in great form and will be try to cross from Gate 4 with Greg Cheyne on board today. This horse, together with Dane Patrol and Eternal Beauty, will be the other main challengers in this race.
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