Over the years, quite a number of French raiders have delivered good results in our international races in Hong Kong. Vallee Enchantee is one that readily springs to mind. This pint-sized filly weighed in at only just over 800 pounds, but showed a giant-sized heart and great ability when winning the Hong Kong Vase in style in 2003.
Frenchman Dominique Boeuf was the jockey who steered Vallee Enchantee to this famous victory. And some news I heard from France earlier this week said this four-time French champion, who is now 43, had decided to retire from the jockeys' ranks.
Dominique rose to prominence in France in the early 1990s, but his career suffered a huge setback a few years later, when he was jailed for three years for involvement in a drugs ring. But he later enjoyed a resurgence, and subsequently claimed three more French champion jockey titles in 1998, 2001 and 2002. Over his whole career, he rode more than 30 Group 1 winners, including overseas successes in England, Germany and Hong Kong.
I believe some of our long-standing racegoers will also remember Dominique for the two short riding stints he spent in Hong Kong in 1999/2000 and 2003/04. While he only rode seven winners in those two seasons, which would not normally be seen as successful, they included that famous victory on Vallee Enchantee, which Dominique cited as the proudest moment of his career. I'm sure local racing fans will want to join me in wishing Dominique all the best for the future.
Some of the top French jockeys and runners will be converging on Paris's Longchamp racecourse tomorrow, where the highlight event of the French racing season will be staged – the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. I don't need to tell you that we shall be simulcasting this top European classic distance race to our fans in Hong Kong, along with five other G1 events from the Arc day. Earlier tomorrow, we shall also be simulcasting the Sprinters Stakes from Nakayama Racecourse in Japan, making it the second year in a row that we've brought you seven overseas Group One races on the first Sunday of October.
I will be heading to France myself after today’s Sha Tin races, not only to watch to the Arc live, but also to attend the subsequent International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ meetings. It will be great to have the chance again of watching some of Europe's best classic distance runners contest the continent's richest race.
But I think you should have just as much excitement back home in Hong Kong, as apart from the Arc, you will also be able to take in the Sprinters Stakes, which promises to be an equally absorbing battle involving Hong Kong duo Lucky Nine and Green Birdie, Singapore sprint sensation Rocket Man, and some top Japanese sprinters. I believe many Hong Kong racing fans would like to see if they can emulate the legendary Silent Witness in 2005 and Ultra Fantasy last year by bringing the honours home for Hong Kong for the third time in six years. I will be talking more about some of the interesting Arc and Sprinters Stakes runners I would look at, in another blog tomorrow morning.
Typhoon Nesat has affected Hong Kong in midweek, forcing the Observatory issuing the first Typhoon Signal No 8 in two years. However, we were lucky that the rain bands and wind gusts only packed up and affected Hong Kong after our Wednesday night meeting. It’s nice to see the weather here has much improved today, as good weather will certain enhance the atmosphere for this afternoon's National Day race meeting, where we will have an impressive line-up in our two feature events. In these two races, you can watch the performances of some star runners such as reigning Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon to make his season debut against Beauty Flash and Xtension in the National Day Cup, as well as Sacred Kingdom – who will again be seeking to equal the Hong Kong record of 18 victories – to contest with Dim Sum and Sweet Sanette in the Sha Tin Sprint Trophy.
Besides the racing, you will also be able to enjoy some wonderful acrobatic performances by the Fujian Acrobatic Troupe and China National Acrobatic Troupe. It all starts at noon in the Parade Ring, so don't delay!
The Sha Tin Sprint Trophy is a fascinating race. With the expected good pace, that will make it uneasy for horses with low draws to go to the outside fence, which usually favours horses on this side of the track. With the rain over the past few days, the track should be on the good to soft side, which will help horses like Entrapment, Little Bridge, as well as Dim Sum, who have won on this kind of surface. Dim Sum is drawn in gate 1 and is working well, I think he has a place chance for me despite the draw. Entrapment worked very well and has caught my eyes in the trials. He has a good chance to be in the top three, despite his long absence from the track. Sweet Sanette has won on a soft track too, but in my view she may need the run. But it’s not the case for Little Bridge as he has the advantage of a good run at the season opening day. He is for me the horse to beat in this race. Sacred Kingdom looks in fine form but has to give away 12 pounds to Little Bridge, which makes it not easy for this champion sprinter nowadays, but I think The King can still be placed.
The National Day Cup is a race for the stars and you could not have had a better line up in this stage of the season! The pace will be good to fast, with Multiglory and Leading City expected to lead. This will give horses coming from the back of the field a better chance. Last season’s Champion Miler Beauty Flash is working not as well for me as last year. And with gate 12, that makes it not easy for him to take up a good position. Flying Blue has a nice preparation and should be in a perfect spot in the race. He’s for me the horse to beat in this 1400m event. Sunny King is working well and he has a place chance. In a longer term, I like Xtension more but he in my view will benefit from this start and be a real force next time out. Ambitious Dragon is looking great. With the fast pace and even the distance is on the short side for him, I think he has at least a place chance for me.
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