It seems not long ago when we saw the likes of Beauty Only, Thunder Fantasy and Luger cruising around Sha Tin, successful in the three legs of last year’s Four-Year-Old Series. But our new generation this year will soon take to the fore as the first leg, the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile, will be run on Sunday week.
Further enhancing the attractiveness of the series, and to reward the substantial investments made by our owners, we have further increased the total prize money of the entire Four-Year-Old Series by another 18 per cent this season, to HK$38 million. Increments has been made to both the Hong Kong Classic Mile and Hong Kong Classic Cup, as each of these two HKG1 events are now worth HK$10 million, putting them on par with some of the all-age top events currently run in Hong Kong.
We observed a reduction of top class imports, especially four-year-olds, last season due to a significant increase in the prices of proven horses, even yearlings. As such, we decided to give our owners a greater incentive to compete in these races by increasing prize money for the series, and enhancing first win bonuses. The results are encouraging as we saw the number of four-year-olds rated over 80 have increased from 48 to 66, which is in line with previous years.
We announced the first stage entries for the BMW Hong Kong Derby in March and I am thrilled with the initial response with a total of 41 high-class nominated in the first stage entries of the BMW Hong Kong Derby in March, and 19 horses entered for the Hong Kong Classic Mile on 24 January. They represent an important new force in Hong Kong racing and I believe our racing fans will look forward to their performances throughout the series.
Before we are turning our attention to this series, you can enjoy our regular midweek card at Happy Valley this evening. The second section of the Wong Nai Chung Handicap is the last race of tonight’s meeting and run as a Class 3 handicap over 1200m. Excel Oneself went straight to the front in his first-up in the season over course and distance, and I expect he applies the same tactics tonight. Highland Hammer and Joy Luck Win should be well placed behind him followed by Carefree Let Go, All The Best, and All My Gain, who is specifically at risk of being kept wide. Hong Kong Dancer, Racing Mate and Fantastic Feeling are likely to be behind midfield with Turf Sprint, Golden Chopsticks and Kirov coming from the back of the field. The pace should be good to slow which slightly favours horses who are closer to the front.
Joy Luck Win has changed stables again and is now with Manfred Man and, despite looking a bit light, he should have a good chance to be placed as he should secure a good position in the race. All The Best from Richard Gibson’s yard seem to have improved in his track work and was beaten only one and three-quarters lengths in his last run and should be a place chance too. Racing Mate, ridden by Gregory Benoist instead of Joao Moreira, could repeat his win but I see him more as a place chance. Fantastic Feeling is working well and has very good form but I am concerned about his chance of being kept wide while Highland Hammer should be in an ideal position behind the pace and run well. My first choice for the race, though, is Carefree Let Go, who has moved to in-form trainer Danny Shum and won his trial in Happy Valley recently.
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