It has been a whirlwind few days and I only got back to Hong Kong from France on Wednesday afternoon. It was a great trip and I have many good memories from the Arc weekend. It was a shame that a fever prevented German runner Novellist’s participation in this year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but I think he would have struggled to match the impressive winning performance of Treve anyway.
The unbeaten filly had anything but an ideal trip as she sweated up and raced wide without cover for most of her journey before progressing to the front early, in the false straight, four furlongs from the finish. Her jockey Thierry Jarnet did well to conserve her energy early in the race but he was really just a passenger from the home turn as this superstar horse demonstrated a brilliant turn of speed to dash to the winning post, five lengths clear of the placed horses Orfevre and Intello. Although Treve enjoyed an 11-pound weight for age allowance from Orfevre, I think few would view it as the deciding factor given the outstanding way she won.
It was a sweet success for her trainer Criquette Head-Maarek and after the race she said Treve will stay in training for a four-year-old campaign next year. I’m delighted to learn that we will have the chance to see her again when hopefully she can confirm herself as a true great. It was also pleasing to hear Criquette say that if her horse is to have another start before the end of the year, it would be in Hong Kong for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on 8 December.
As the Club’s CEO it would be a great thrill for us all in Hong Kong if an Arc winner took part in our flagship international event. Of course the first consideration for connections is the horse’s condition after her emphatic success over the weekend, and then they will consider how a Hong Kong visit might affect plans for next season. The Al Thani royal family of Qatar tasted success previously at Sha Tin, with Dunaden in the Hong Kong Vase two years ago, so perhaps that happy experience might persuade them to send Treve to Hong Kong.
Moonlight Cloud, another three-time G1 winner this year, is arguably the best 1400m horse in the world and certainly one of the best mares in training anywhere. She was also incredibly impressive in the G1 Prix de la Foret over that 1400m distance on the Arc day undercard. She may also come to Hong Kong for the HKIR. Trainer Freddy Head said although there is a chance she may go to the Breeders’ Cup, it is more likely that her owner will opt to go straight to Hong Kong for the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. Let’s hope so because she is an outstanding racehorse and just the calibre of competitor we aim to attract to the HKIR.
Last year’s Hong Kong Mile 4th Gordon Lord Byron, who finished second behind Moonlight Cloud in the Foret, is also on course for a return to Hong Kong. Connections of this season’s G1 Sprint Cup winner are keen to return to our December internationals.
Hopefully we will hear some good news from these French and Irish connections later on but before then let’s turn our attention to our races at Happy Valley tonight. I rushed back to Hong Kong so that I can get to the racecourse in time to enjoy another great Oktoberfest evening.
Again we will have various Oktoberfest attractions available to racegoers, including a performance by the famous band Notenhobler. Be sure not to miss it and join us for the exciting racecourse entertainment tonight.
For the eight races on the card, the American Club Challenge Cup is a Class 3 contest at 1800 meters that will help determine if the consistent three-year-old Red Dancer is Derby material. He looks like he will appreciate the added distance and comes off a solid Valley run in his most recent outing. His main opponent will be King's Folks, also in good form though not yet proven over the trip. Super Pistachio will dictate the pace, which is expected to be slow, and has dropped in rating to a competitive mark. He should remain in the fight to the end. Ambassadorship and Hong Kong Dancer will be running on and are place chances for me.
The Society of Chinese Accountants & Auditors Centenary Cup is a Class 3 sprint at 1200 meters. Unlike the first Cup race, the pace is expected to be fast with many horses doing their best running when involved early.
Pretty One is an each way chance as he appears set to deliver his best effort. He was a sharp second when second up in the new season and should get first run at the leaders from his favourable draw. Prolific Champion was on the wrong end of a win photo to Highest Acclaim last time and those two resume their rivalry as big place chances with not much between them. The likely improver here is Kick Serve, a horse that will be doing his best work over the final 200m and should not be overlooked.
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