The performances of Hong Kong’s runners in Singapore on Sunday are still very vivid in my mind. The Hong Kong team did not disappoint our racing fans, and I think it is right for me to say that all five of our runners at Kranji Racecourse that evening gave us plenty to be proud of, particularly Dan Excel and Aerovelocity.
Aerovelocity was the first of our top runners to shine as he delivered an authoritative win in the KrisFlyer International Sprint. This latest success followed his top-level victories in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint last December and the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in Japan this March. This third elite win means that he is the first ever Hong Kong horse to have won G1 races in three different countries or jurisdictions within one season. More precisely, I should say within just six months!
His ability to perform on different tracks and in new environments shows just how tough, courageous and versatile he is. His trainer, Paul O’Sullivan, has said that he is a perfect racehorse because of this, and his win on Sunday further enhances Aerovelocity’s current status as one of the best sprinters in the world. It will be interesting to see if he can defend his crown in the Hong Kong Sprint this year. If he does he will become the first horse to collect the US$1 million Global Sprint Challenge bonus.
It was an exciting, frenetic night that seemed to move very quickly and those of us there at Kranji supporting the Hong Kong team, including Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip, only had to wait what seemed a very short 50 minutes before Dan Excel gave us more joy in the Singapore Airlines International Cup. He made a game run from the front and held off the late lunge of Military Attack, to become the first horse to win in this S$3 million G1 contest twice, and in consecutive years. This tough seven-year-old suffered a health setback earlier in the season, so it was a fantastic training effort and the Club’s veterinary clinical care to bring him back to this level and win again.
The same applies to Military Attack and Lucky Nine. They have both struggled with niggles and ailments this season but both re-emphasised that they are tremendous G1 warriors in the way they performed in defeat. Military Attack even lost both his front shoes during the Cup and Lucky Nine endured a rough passage but still ran on gamely for third in the Sprint. And Rich Tapestry should not be forgotten as he met some early trouble and ran well despite being forced to travel wide in the KrisFlyer.
Sunday’s wins mean that Hong Kong horses have achieved a Singapore G1 double in each of the last three years. It’s never easy to keep matching previous records at this level of competition, especially when the overseas element adds extra difficulties, but we have managed to do it again this year in Singapore and that shows the depth to the quality of the Hong Kong horses. Overall it’s great for Hong Kong as well as for Hong Kong racing, and we can be proud of these achievements by our top horses and elite racing professionals. Of course it could not happen without the staunch support of our owners, as they always try to bring the best horses they can to Hong Kong, fuelling the racing circuit with young blood and exciting new talents.
Our top jockeys Joao Moreira, Zac Purton and Brett Prebble were all in winning form at Kranji on Sunday and they will showcase their talents at Happy Valley tonight when we’ll be hosting the annual France Galop Cup. The race is a symbol of the collaboration between the Club and France Galop, French racing’s governing body with whom we have worked closely over the years within the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) to promote racing on the world stage, and we are glad that the race is in its 7th year. It will be a delight to have the chance to meet with the many guests who have come all the way from France for our meeting tonight, including IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet who will represent France Galop at our races and present the France Galop Cup to the winning owner of the trophy event.
This trophy race is run as a Class 3 at 1200m in Race 6, with Cour Valant having solid chance to be in the top three, even for the win, from his good draw. He was a hard luck case in his last outing but his recent form is encouraging and he should enjoy a good run from midfield. Hella Hedge, The Prince and Pearl Win will be forwardly placed and are my other preferred runners in what appears to be a wide open contest.
The another trophy event of the night, the Le French May Trophy, will be run as a Class 4 at 1200m, marking the return of the eye-catching debut winner Happy Surveys. In his first career start just two weeks ago, Happy Surveys had only once horse beaten turning into the straight before unleashing a solid rally down the middle of the track to prevail by a neck. He is a top three chance here along with King Of Household and King's Steed. The in-form Secret Agent will be ridden by French jockey Gerald Mosse this time. He has good tactical speed and the favourable inside draw. Although he must shoulder top weight of 133 pounds, he remains to be my top choice in this race.
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