Not Listenin’tome and Contentment took steps forward at Sha Tin Racecourse with emphatic winning performances in the HKG3 National Day Cup and HKG3 Celebration Cup on Thursday. This weekend let’s turn our attention to Japan as Rich Tapestry will be the Hong Kong horse in the spotlight, running in the G1 Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama tomorrow.
Be it in the barrier trial at Sha Tin a fortnight ago, or his fast gallop with Christophe Lemaire on board at Nakayama on Thursday, Rich Tapestry did very well and showed his sharp condition on both occasions. The 1200m contest will be his first-up of the season, but I believe this factor wouldn’t be a concern as he had done so exactly 12 months ago when winning first-up in the G1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship in California.
Although the best form of Rich Tapestry has been away from the grass, some Japanese media are still wary about the threat he poses in the race, particularly as many view this latest renewal of the Sprinters Stakes as very open, and his plum rail draw should offer an extra advantage.
Aerovelocity succeeded in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March and a win by Rich Tapestry tomorrow will then complete a double for Hong Kong in the two top sprints in Japan this year, an incredible feat for Hong Kong racing if landed. Silent Witness managed Hong Kong’s first win in the Sprinters Stakes in 2005, Ultra Fantasy made it again in 2010, and if we are to trust this five-year span, then perhaps it's about time for us to have another success in this race in 2015!
Having arrived in France for the Arc weekend and the subsequent IFHA meetings, I will go online here early tomorrow morning, joining you all to support Rich Tapestry and capture the live simulcast action from Nakayama, as well our races at Sha Tin.
As for myself, when I arrived on Friday morning in Paris, I went straight from the airport to the training center in Chantilly which is a heaven for horses with its wonderful facilities. I had discussions with some of the leading French trainers when I arrived at 6.30am and was especially curious to seek their views about the expected going for the Arc.
They told me that despite the very sunny and wonderful weather that the going should be on the good to good to soft side because Longchamp is not drying out at this time of the year even without rain.
They don't expect a really firm ground which could be negative to the chances of the super star Treve, who is working very well and would be very difficult to beat. She can make history to become the first horse in the 95-year history of the Prix de l' Arc de Triomphe to win the race more than twice.
Golden Horn who prefers firm ground has had a long season and was not as convincing in his last starts as he was winning the Derby. New Bay trained by the genius Andre Fabre is a horse who is improving and Fabre is very confident that New Bay has improved further from his impressive Arc trial. Having said that, it is still a tall order to beat Treve and I put him as my second pick. Flintshire is in very good form and I would not be surprised to see him running a place.
A full field will face the straight 1,000m in our featured cup race of the Sunday card as we celebrate the 115th anniversary of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. Harbour Alert always shows strong early speed and will likely move immediately for the lead from his high draw. Chater Rock, Super Abundante and Sky Man should be fairly close too. Team Fortune was very impressive in his career debut last time over the course and distance and has a solid draw which should allow him to chase the early leaders and progress well. At the bottom of the handicap and back again with leading rider Joao Moreira, Team Fortune is my win and place chance.
I have reviewed the weather back in Hong Kong and it seems rain is likely on Sunday throughout the day. Tango Fire closed well when he faced softer ground in May and while he is a bit heavier than he has been in the past and should be fitter going forward, he is an outsider placing chance. Chater Rock and Sky Man are each top three chances for me too.
Enjoy the Sunday card and our great simulcast action and I look forward to seeing you at Happy Valley on Wednesday when I return.
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