There was a fantastic atmosphere at Happy Valley on Wednesday and I’m sure the 16,000-plus race fans who came to the racecourse must have left very satisfied afterwatching the wonderful performances from the world-class riders in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship. In the end it was Japanese champion jockey Yuichi Fukunaga who won the trophy, after riding his first two wins ever at Happy Valley that evening.
It was a great riding performance all-round by Fukunaga as he rode Ocean Roar for a wire-to-wire win, and for hisanother mount Vara Pearl he positioned his mounts in the box seat and stalked right behind the speed. His victory means that he is the second Japanese jockey to win the IJC, following Yutaka Take in 2004. Fukunaga will remain in Hong Kong this weekend to partner Mile Championship runner-up Fiero in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. It will be interesting to see if he cancap a great international week in Hong Kong with a victory on the big day.
Apart from that we also have many international renowned owners and trainers participating in our HKIR this year. These included the likes of Sir Michael Stoute, Andre Fabre and Jim Bolger, who are all multiple champions and one of the greatest trainers in the UK, France and Ireland respectively, as well as three-time HKIR winning trainer Ed Dunlop. In Owners we alsohave some world famous names like Khalid Abdullah, Sheikh Mohammed, Qatar Racing and Sunday Racing sending horses to compete in our races. Their participation and enthusiasm demonstrated the premierstatus and high standards of our internationals, and thatthe races are highly regarded by some of the most influential racehorse owners and elite horsemen in the world.
The Europeans and the Japanese have some leading fancies in our four races this year, but I would say the home team also has a strong hand. Several key runners are bidding to create a new chapter of history in Hong Kong. For example California Memory is seeking a thirdwin in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, which would put him on par with Good Ba Ba, as the second horse ever to get three HKIR wins. If it’s Designs On Romewho emerges as the victor in that race then John Moore’s charge will join the 2005 winner Vengeance Of Rain inan exclusive club, as only the second horse to complete a winning treble in the Derby, QE II Cup and in a HKIRcontest in the same calendar year. In the Sprint, shouldPeniaphobia pass the post first on Sunday, he would become the first ever three year-old to win the race. And he would in fact be the first three-year-old trained in Hong Kong to win any HKIR event. He would also elevate Douglas Whyte alongside Gerald Mosse as just the second jockey to have won each of the four events atthe HKIR at least once.
It’s going to be an exciting day and I will follow all ourlocal runners particularly closely tomorrow. As a huge fan of Hong Kong racing, naturally there is a big part of me that wants to see Hong Kong horses win everything! But nevertheless, I think that it would be ideal if the home team can share the spoils with the overseas raiders - perhaps a 50-50 split of two G1s to us and two to the visitors, but not more than that! That’s because such results would at once show the quality we have in our small but elite horse population, and at the same time highlight that world-class overseas raiders can also perform to their best when competing against us on our home track at the Turf World Championships. Let’s seewhat happens tomorrow though. One thing is certain; we will all enjoy an afternoon of exciting sport.
As usual, I have studied the four G1 races thoroughly. The LONGINES Hong Kong Vase should be run at a good to slow pace with Curren Mirotic as leader joined by Khaya. Empoli and Flintshire should be well placed in midfield with Red Cadeaux while Snow Sky, Willie Cazals and Dominant have to come from the back. Flintshire looks fantastic in training and is the horse to beat, with Red Cadeaux, Empoli, Snow Sky and Willie Cazals having chances for a place.
The LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint should see a good to fast pace with Buffering leading. And Peniaphobia likely taking the box seat behind him. Aerovelocity, Gordon Lord Byron, Lucky Nine as well as Sterling City should be well placed. Spalato and Smart Volatility are at risk to be wide with Sole Power and Snow Dragon having to come from the back. It is a very open race with Peniaphobia, Aerovelocity, Lucky Nine and Sole Power the best chances.
The LONGINES Hong Kong Mile is likely to run at a slow pace with Gold-Fun leading with Secret Sham. Grand Prix Boss and Ambitious Dragon are likely to be well positioned behind the pace and I would not be surprised that Able Friend will join them. Fiero should be just behind midfield. Able Friend is working like a champion and is my favourite with Gold-Fun, Fiero and Glorious Days who will come from beyond midfield.
The LONGINES Hong Kong Cup should see a slow pace with Pleasure Gains, Same World leading, and Military Attack and Farraaj with Cirrus Des Aigels close up. Designs On Rome, California Memory and Blazing Speed will come from behind and the slow pace will put them at a disadvantage. I expect a strong performance from the HK horses with Military Attack, Blazing Speed and Designs On Rome at his peak while Farraaj and Cirrus Des Aigles are the overseas challenges for a place.
Please be reminded that our first race will start at 12.25pm. There will also be a pre-race variety show starting at hour earlier, at 11.25am. So you may wish to come earlier to really get into the swing of our biginternational racing occasion. See you at Sha Tin tomorrow!
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