Our 83-fixture season tips off Sunday with a great card at Sha Tin and many features for our customers to enjoy.
While we have been plenty mesmerized by Joao Moreira over the last few seasons, it was the turn of the racing-frenzied Japanese, experiencing the Magic Man in Sapporo last weekend. Joao not only won the World All-Star Jockeys competition, he managed seven total wins and five placings from just 20 rides. That’s quite the appetizer for his return to the local campaign on Sunday.
Hong Kong racing fans should have a sense of familiarity with our newest Club jockey Chad Schofield. Chad’s father Glyn spent plenty of time riding in Hong Kong while Chad spent some of his formative years living here. We also welcome our newest apprentice, Kei Chiong, after spending several years in the New Zealand yard of Allan Sharrock.
On behalf of our entire team, I wish you all the best for this season and hope you enjoy a smooth and rewarding opening meeting!
The HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup is always the highlight of the first meeting and has attracted this year a very interesting field especially with the entry of Lucky Nine as top rated horse with a rating of 123. Caspar Fownes makes use of our 10-pound claimer Jack Wong and therefore Lucky Nine will carry only 123 pounds which gives him a chance to perform well even if not yet fully fit.
The pace is expected to be good with You Read My Mind as leader but he will likely get pressure from Domineer who is working very well. Lucky Nine should be well placed if he does not miss the start which will be one challenge for Jack to make him jump well. Beauty Flame, Teofilo Calva and Access Years should be well positioned behind the pace with Tour De Force. Key Witness and Exciting Dream, who both are working very well, should be nearby in midfield as well. The good pace should give every horse a fair chance to compete even if you have to come from the back like High Five.
Lucky Nine is a place chance for me and I am a little bit sceptical about Domineer in Sha Tin on the turf despite working well, and prefer Tour De Force. Exciting Dream is my first choice with Key Witness who looks better for me than at the end of the season.
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