I’m sure there will be plenty of lingering excitement among many racing fans after our three Jockey Club races at Sha Tin last Sunday. With most runners trying to secure a starting berth at our LONGINES Hong Kong International Races next month, all these three races were very keenly fought affairs and provided plenty of thrills, as well as no shortage of talking points.
Among the three winners I think most of you would agree with me that BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile winner Able Friend is the standout. He took on two champions in Gold-Fun and Ambitious Dragon but he came out on top with relative ease, with his own final sectional a fast 21.41 seconds. Taking the very consistent Gold-Fun as a benchmark, should Able Friend be able to maintain this kind of form into the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile on 14 December, he will be the one they all have to beat in that race. Should he progress further, I think he can establish himself as one of the top milers in Asia if not in the world.
The other two Group 2 races went to Tony Cruz as Peniaphobia won the Jockey Club Sprint and Blazing Speed succeeded in the Jockey Club Cup. Peniaphobia was the only three-year-old in the Sprint, but his performance, with the acceleration he showed after a wide run, reflected that he is the match of any of his more established older opponents. Following King of Danes in 2000, he became only the second three-year-old to win this event prior to the HKIR day. Now we can all look forward to seeing if he can go one step further and become the first three-year-old to win the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in three weeks’ time.
Those winners of last Sunday’s three races have all laid strong claims ahead of the main events next month. And there were plenty of beaten horses who will be primed to try and turn the tables next month. Some of those were clearly unlucky in the way the races panned out - Lucky Nine and Aerovelocity were easy to pick out in the Sprint, and Sterling City was unable to get a clear run, too. By tonight you will know whether the horses you support will be in the Turf World Championships, and what overseas contenders they will be facing as we will announce the list of selected runners for the four G1s today. There will also be an announcement ceremony during our races at Happy Valley this evening, so when you come to enjoy the races tonight, take a look at what the selected runners will be.
In addition to Spalato and Hana’s Goal, I can tell you that we have selected and invited more than 20 overseas runners to come and contest the four G1 events at the LONGINES HKIR. In fact, another two are already here, as late on Monday we welcomed two overseas stars who have jetted into Hong Kong early in preparation for our showcase event. Anyway, you can find out the list of nominated horses from our various channels after today’s announcement.
First let’s focus on our midweek race meeting at Happy Valley when again there will be Japanese atmosphere aplenty. Tonight is our second “Japan night” in the Happy Wednesday programme. We have eight races on the card, and I will be paying my attention to the St Andrew's Challenge Quaich. It’s a Class 2 handicap run over 1200m and the pace in this race should be good, which gives every contender an even chance. Domineer from Gate 3 is expected to lead easily with Happy Yeah Yeah and Penglai Xianzi to be racing handy. But Ensemble could upset the coasting and runs aside Domineer to try to overcome his wide draw. Best Eleven, Rainbow Fighter, My Name Is Bond and Smart Man can be well placed, while Jazzy Feeling who is going down in distance this time, has to come from the back.
Domineer is working well and is my first choice, but one should not underestimate Smart Man who is working well too. Happy Yeah Yeah is a Happy Valley course and distance specialist. He’s always a danger and is a place chance for me here, with My Name Is Bond as another contender for a place.
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