It is an exciting time to be a race fan in Hong Kong right now and the events this week have been keeping the gathered overseas media and their local counterparts very busy. So much has been happening that Wednesday evening already seems a long time back, but it was such a memorable night that I’m sure you will have no trouble recalling that we hosted the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship. It was a fascinating competition as 12 world-class riders squared off with each other and treated all in attendance to an exciting evening.
Australian rider Kerrin McEvoy took an early lead from his rivals that included the American legends Mike Smith and Gary Stevens, as well as the British champions Richard Hughes and Ryan Moore, and of course our own Douglas Whyte. McEvoy hung on to become the latest King of the Valley, and one of our three Hong Kong representatives, Zac Purton, performed well again but had to settle for the runner-up position for a second consecutive year.
Many racegoers came along to the Valley and gave their support. It was a cracking atmosphere on course and I saw many fans really enjoying the evening and some even took the chance to get autographs and take photos with a few of the star jockeys when they were on their way back to the jockeys’ room after the presentation ceremony. It’s a pleasure to have these outstanding riders coming into town to compete with our own world-class jockeys and this year’s line-up was a real treat for us all. Our racegoers really welcomed them with a great show of appreciation and I know that those riders were very impressed with the unique Happy Valley atmosphere.
Further afield, those of you who follow events in the world of bloodstock will have spotted some big news coming out of England this week. Two outstanding mares and multiple G1 winners were each sold at a cost equivalent to over HK$50 million. One of those was Immortal Verse who fetched a record price of 4.7 million guineas at the Tattersalls December Sale in Newmarket. The other jaw-dropping acquisition was Dancing Rain, the Epsom Oaks winner who participated in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase 12 months ago. She is currently carrying a Frankel foal, and this promising broodmare was sold in the same auction for 4 million guineas.
We hosted a successful auction, too, at Sha Tin today. Many enthusiastic potential buyers attended our Hong Kong International Sale, and all 16 of the unraced griffins offered for sale were snapped up by excited buyers. However, the focus of many of the world’s horsemen this week will be firmly fixed upon the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin tomorrow.
Again this year we have many champion runners participating at the meeting, as a total of 22 G1 winners are among the contenders for the four main events. With the presence of so many high quality opponents, I think the Hong Kong team will face one of the toughest assignments in recent years. Having made an initial analysis on the four races, I will be happy if we can get one winner from the four international G1 events.
In my view, I think our best hope lies in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, as we have a decent two-pronged assault. Akeed Mofeed appears to be peaking at the right time and has a decent draw in barrier 1, while reigning Horse of the Year Military Attack, should be in much better shape for this than when third in the LONGINES Jockey Club Cup last time. I think you should also take note of the Peter Schiergen-trained Neatico. I would not be surprised if this German runner is in amongst the thick of the action in the closing stages. Veteran runner Cirrus Des Aigles has shown good form recently and he will also have nice place chance in this race.
As for the other races, the Mile is perhaps the one with the highest quality in general. The French mare Moonlight Cloud is seen as a stand-out by many. She has drawn nicely in six and should she perform to her best level and enjoy a clear passage in the race, she should maintain her unbeaten record for the year. Sky Lantern is another very good filly with a fair draw, but as a three-year-old filly she may find it not easy for this task after a long season. Gold-Fun is among the best of our home runners and the fact that he has won three in a row shows he is in top form. He and last year’s Mile runner-up Glorious Days could give the two top European runners a tough race run in this event, although Glorious Days must overcome the wide 13 gate. Meanwhile, I would not be surprised to see Helene Spirit running very well from his good draw.
In the Sprint our home team has enjoyed the luck of the draw, as Gates 1 to 8 will all hold Hong Kong runners. That will offer us some advantage but I’m not sure whether such a factor will be enough for them to mount a challenge against Lord Kanaloa. The Japanese star showed in his midweek gallop on turf that he has acclimatised well. He looks to be the one to beat in this race, while Lucky Nine will hold the best chance among local runners, especially with his good draw of 5. Other form horses such as Sterling City, Charles The Great and Frederick Engels hold solid place chances, too.
Last but not least in the Vase, The Fugue is definitely a world-class filly. Many of her rival connections have expressed this week that she will win if she shows up at the top of her game. Noting that The Fugue just showed up at trackwork for the first time on Thursday morning, the decisive factor will be whether she can perform to her best tomorrow – if she does, the form says she will win. I think the Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux and the third place Mount Athos, and the improving German raider Feuerblitz, will be the major threats to her in this 2400m race.
Comment
