The Hong Kong Stadium will host this week’s local sporting highlight with the annual Hong Kong Sevens rugby taking place this weekend. Many of my friends have been posting their photos and statuses on their online social platforms as they enjoy the exciting matches and the carnival atmosphere.
For those racing fans amongst us, that excitement will transfer to tonight’s action in Dubai when eight of our best Hong Kong horses will participate in five different G1 events at the Dubai World Cup meeting. Our team represents the strongest and largest team of runners we have ever sent to an overseas race meeting. It seems that Lady Luck is with us leading into the races this time as our runners generally got pleasing barrier draws, although Rich Tapestry in the Golden Shaheen and Dominant in the Sheema Classic possibly have a bit of extra work to do with their outside draws.
I did not arrive in Dubai in time for trackwork at Meydan yesterday morning, but I met our Hong Kong trainers and jockeys later during breakfast session. They all are happy with the condition of their horses and are upbeat about their chances. My own horse Now We Can will also feature at the event in the stayers’ contest, the G2 Dubai Gold Cup. His trainer told me he’s in decent form too and we now have to see how he handles the 3200m distance when he tries it for the first time in his career.
Vengeance Of Rain has the distinction of being our top Dubai hero to date as he won the Dubai Sheema Classic back in 2007. Since the World Cup venue was changed from Nad Al Sheba to Meydan in 2010, Hong Kong runners have landed one win on this lucrative race day – Joy And Fun in the Al Quoz Sprint in 2010, a G3 event over 1200m at that time. The same horse will take part in this race for the fourth time tonight and hopefully he would produce another decent performance in what will likely be his final career run. After all, with our strong representation this year, it appears to be our best chance in years to make a breakthrough and add to our G1 winning tally here in Dubai.
Many overseas racing executives whom I have met over the past two days have also commented on the high quality of the Hong Kong contingent. We must of course remember that while this is a very exciting Hong Kong challenge, the opposition is also top-class. I hope for the best and also wish all connections the best of luck in their contests tonight. You can also offer your great support to all Hong Kong runners via our live simulcast tonight.
Among these five G1 events, Amber Sky has a good chance to win or be placed at least in the Al Quoz Sprint, which is run on the straight 1000m course. But one should not underestimate Mike de Kock's Shea Shea who has drawn favourably. In the Dubai Golden Shaheen we should see a strong performance of Rich Tapestry despite his wide draw. Sterling City has to prove he can handle the Tapeta track and could run a place on pure form, but I still have a question mark with him.
The Dubai Duty Free is a top class race with a strong Japanese runner in Just A Way, which will make it not easy for Blazing Speed who has a place chance. In the Dubai Sheema Classic Gentildonna looks very well and is in my opinion the horse to beat, with Dominant a chance for place with Magician looking well too.
The Dubai World Cup should be run at a strong pace which should help the Hong Kong horses to settle. Akeed Mofeed looks well and if he stays calm and get a trouble free race, he can claim the top honours, but I would pay close attention on how he handles the pre-race parade. He needs things going his way. Military Attack seems to be a mentally stronger horse and is at his peak during this time of the year. He is at least a place chance even in this very strong field, with Ruler Of The World also looking in great shape.
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