Despite a chilling mistle in the air last Sunday, around 250 Members presented themselves at Sha Tin Racecourse for the breeze-up session for the upcoming Hong Kong International Sale; and watched with keen interest as the 26 lots due to pass through the sale ring on Saturday, took to the turf to gallop in pairs.
I was pleased with the overwhelming response from the Members and was also satisfied with what I saw at the Breeze-up. Despite the track being a bit rain-affected, most of the horses coped with it very well and showed in the gallops that they are in fine condition. Overall, I would say that the horses appear to be well prepared for this year’s auction.
After the horses breezed the turf, like many interested Members or potential buyers, I took the chance to head over to the temporary stables to inspect these young horses at close range. They looked happy and spirited after the Breeze-up, and they remained very calm even when faced with the attentions of a number of potential buyers and their families. This bodes well as they settle into the racing environment here in Hong Kong. I must say, it’s nice to see a lot of our potential buyers bringing their children along to observe the horses at close quarters in their stables. I saw a lot of kids enjoying watching or patting the horses and to me this is the best way of enabling children to know more and establish bonds of affection with horses.
Whilst at the stables, I also took the opportunity to chat with the consigners and grooms and in doing so I was able to know more about the horses’ characters and also the preparation that went into these horses before their importation into Hong Kong.
Many of the consignors and grooms are our old friends as we have been working and co-operating with them for some years, and it was nice to catch up with them again on this occasion.
One of those old friends is the former American jockey Cash Asmussen. During his career in the saddle, Cash received Eclipse Award recognition in the US and reached the peak of his riding career between the 
mid-80s and early-90s, earning enormous success in France and around Europe. As well as winning such races as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, he was crowned champion jockey in France on five occasions.
After calling time on his riding career in 2001, Cash opted not to join the trainer ranks. Instead, he became an active figure around various horse auctions in the US as he undertook the preparation and pre-training of young horses mainly at his family farm in Texas, before sending them on to the sales ring or the training barn. In recent years, Cash has regularly visited Hong Kong, mostly in his capacity as one of our consignors for the HKIS. Cash may be a racing legend but in watching him conducting the final preparations to the lots for which he was responsible, the thing that struck me was his approachable down-to-earth attitude and commitment. In the stables, his primary concern is for his horses and his dedication reflects a deep passion for those in his care and the sport at large.
I’m sure Cash will enjoy his stay in Hong Kong this time as much as he has done in the past. Before the HKIS on Saturday or the barrier draw ceremony for the 2012 MBHK Derby tomorrow morning, Happy Valley Racecourse would definitely be a very good destination should he want to enjoy a special night of entertainment in the city this evening. Tonight we will be hosting the season finale of our Wines in the Valley. Once again, fine wine, great food, treats and entertaining music performances will be on offer along with exciting races for all who come to the racecourse. So make sure that you and your friends don’t miss the opportunity and I will see you all at the Valley tonight.
For the eight races on the programme, the Bangalore Handicap is run as a Class 2 over 1650m and with the expected good pace, no horse should have a disadvantage from this aspect. Adoration from Gate 10 has to push early to get to the front and is the likely race leader with Prolific Champion, who can share the lead or sit off the pace with Business As Usual. Hot Shot should find a good spot behind the leaders. Even he has not won in Happy Valley before, his last run was good as he was beaten by only 2 lengths behind the winner and is for me an interesting place chance in this race. Fun Rider is a Valley specialist and is ridden by Douglas Whyte this time. He has to overcome Gate 8 and will likely be taken to the back of the field, but he still has a place chance for me, as has Withinmyheart who should get a good position in midfield from Gate 1. His last run behind Winning Edge was encouraging. Winning Edge’s victory last time was very convincing and he run 22.57 seconds for the last 400m. He is working well and will be my pick for the race. Fortune Red Pepper has improved in his trackwork since the stable change to Andreas Schutz. He is a course and distance winner which I see as an interesting outsider in this event tonight.
The Chennai Handicap over 1200m and run as a Class 3 event should see a good to fast pace. As always over this distance, horses which are drawn to start from lower gates would enjoy an advantage. Speedy Bullish King, Loads Of Joy, and possibly the wide-drawn Charles The Great will likely be setting a strong pace. Mi Savvy and Jade Christy are expected to be behind these leaders in a good position and being well placed with Glory Horsie and Chater Power. Mi Savvy is working very well and stepping up to 1200m this time. After his convincing win over 1000m, it should not be a disadvantage and he will be my first choice for this race. Jade Christy who trialed well in Happy Valley is working well too and is a place chance for me, as well as Glory Horsie who is wearing blinkers for the first time and working well. Kick Serve, who is interestingly the choice of Douglas Whyte instead of Glory Horsie, has to come from the back but will get some help from the expected pace. He’s still a place chance for me in this race.
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