It was Valentine’s Day last night and I’m sure many of you might have enjoyed a romantic dinner with a loved one. This year’s Valentine’s Day was particularly special as the Chinese and western versions fell on the same date, something that happens only once in every 19 years.
Although it was a special occasion for so many, I know some people did not dare to stay out too long last night and are no doubt planning to go to bed early this evening, too. The reason for this is that they are participating in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon tomorrow morning.
Many other major world cities, such as New York, London, Tokyo and Berlin, host their own marathons, and it’s usual in each instance to see citizens coming out to support all the athletes, cheering and encouraging them along the course. However, our marathon in Hong Kong is a little different as most of the events commence very early in the morning, some even starting before dawn. Nevertheless, the expected cool weather will no doubt be helpful to the runners, but not so the high humidity. No matter whether you have entered for the 10km run, the half-marathon or the marathon itself, I wish you all the best in your run tomorrow.
At Sunday’s other top local sporting event also with tens of thousands of spectators, this time at Sha Tin racecourse, the participants will be travelling a little quicker than those in the marathon! The ten race card includes two top grade races, namely the Chairman’s Sprint Prize and the Hong Kong Classic Cup. In the sprint race we will see the return of local favourite and international Group 1 winner Lucky Nine, who will square off against the likes of Sterling City and Frederick Engels. Rising Stars such as Able Friend and Designs On Rome will try to enhance their already glowing reputations in the Classic Cup, the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Series.
It will be an interesting card and I’ll be fascinated to see how the horses perform in both races, especially the Classic Cup. Some might remember last year we had long shot runner It Has To Be You holding off subsequent G1 performers Akeed Mofeed and Gold-Fun to achieve a stunning success in this 1800m HKG1 contest. But many viewed last month’s Hong Kong Classic Mile as the best one in recent years, and it will be intriguing to see whether the impressive Classic Mile winner Able Friend or runner-up Designs On Rome can maintain their progress this time over an extra 200 metres, or whether the race will again be won by a dark horse in the field. Whatever happens in the race, it will no doubt provide more clues ahead of the BMW Hong Kong Derby on 16 March, with all 13 declared runners being entered in that great race, as are 10 other runners on Sunday’s card. Adding to the fact that the top three finishers in the Classic Cup can also gain the priority to run in the Derby race, the Derby picture looks sure to be a little clearer come Sunday evening.
The Chairman's Sprint Prize is the second leg of our Speed Series and at the distance of 1200m we have always had horses of international quality. Regular leader Go Baby Go should take up his usual role here with Cerise Cherry and Bullish Friend sitting just behind him. The result should be a good to slow pace with Sterling City, Straight Gold and Charles The Great well placed just off the speed. Frederick Engels and Lucky Nine may have to be eased back which is not an advantage if the pace is on the slow side. Both are working very well and should finish strongly and they are a place chance for me but I prefer Sterling City, who with Joao Moreira on board should be better positioned and is working very well too. Cerise Cherry is a horse who is often underrated but he performs consistently and is a place chance for me.
The Hong Kong Classic Cup is the second of our three Group 1 races for four-year-olds, with the distance increased from 1600m in the Classic Mile to 1800m this time. The pace is expected to be slow because there is no confirmed leader and most horses are stepping up to this middle distance for the first time. Dr Good Habit has led over a mile last season and is the most likely pacesetter with Flagship Shine and Secret Sham competing for forward spots. Able Friend and Designs On Rome are likely to be in midfield and Moreira on Able Friend will be mindful not to be trapped wide from his draw. Tableaux and Travel Brother will be further back with Dining World and Vanilla coming from the back. Able Friend should have no issue stepping up in distance, is working very well and will be the horse to beat here. Designs On Rome is working well too and will relish the extra 200m with his jockey Tommy Berry confident he has a chance to beat his stable companion but I still prefer Able Friend more. Flagship Shine should be able to run well this time and I see him as a place chance. Dr Good Habit also has a place chance, especially with the expected slow pace.
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