Music is a great way to bring people together, and especially our young people. This is the inspiration behind the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups’ a cappella project, funded by the Club, which is teaching close-harmony singing to secondary school students. Apart from learning important lessons about the benefits of collaboration and co-operation, students have the opportunity to engage with the community through a cappella workshops for the disabled.
On top of this education programme, the Club has been the major sponsor of the annual Hong Kong International a cappella Festival since its inception in 2011. For this, its sixth year, the Festival is bringing to Hong Kong a group called Naturally 7, whose amazing vocal play talent enables them to combine pristine a cappella harmonies with instrumental accompaniment, all created by the human voice. They have recorded ten CDs in the past 16 years and worked with artists like Michael Bublé and Coldplay, so it's certainly something to look forward to if you're a music lover. The "a cappella Master Series: Naturally 7" will be held on 4 April at the Concert Hall in Hong Kong City Hall.
Earlier this week, the top earning horse in European history, Cirrus des Aigles was retired at the age of 10. The globetrotting gelding carried the flag for his trainer Corine Barande-Barbe for many years, having notched seven G1 successes in his career. Hong Kong was also a regular year-end destination for him as he came here for the HKIR in each of the past seven years, and racing on six occasions.
For me Cirrus’ performance in the British Champion Stakes in 2012 was the one that impressed me most. He demonstrated a mighty challenge to Frankel in that epic race, providing a stern test to that undefeated champion at Ascot. He enjoyed such a phenomenal career and kept the best of company for such a prolonged period. It’s sad to see this tough warrior go but I believe most will agree that he thoroughly deserves his retirement.
Comparatively, two of our current leading earners, Designs On Rome and Military Attack,have amassed over HK$58 million each, but it will take some time and some more emphatic performances in major races if they are to stand the chance to eclipse the all-time record of HK$83 million as set by Viva Pataca few years ago.
They both are among the selected runners for the G1 APQEII Cup at Sha Tin on 24 April, as we will announce this afternoon. The race will also include a stern test from several Japanese runners and should make for a spectacular occasion. I will offer more thoughts on the assembled field in the coming weeks.
Tonight we have a special Thursday meeting at Happy Valley, sandwiched by our Monday meeting at Sha Tin and the upcoming Chairman’s Trophy and Sprint Cup session on Sunday. We have eight races on the card and the Indian Recreation Club Challenge Cup is a very competitive Class 3 handicap run over the distance of 1650m.
There seem to be two horses that could lead here, Looks Like The Cat and Grand Harbour. Given the strong pace from Looks Like The Cat last time, they might try to go a bit easier on him. Five Up High and Go Go Win are likely to stalk the leaders, with Red Marvel and Win It just behind. Little Island has another good draw in barrier 1 but does not always seem to enjoy being caught inside.
The pace is likely to be good-to-slow, which favours horses racing closer to the front. Looks Like The Cat was disappointing in his last start but his recent track work suggests that his last performance was more due to the yielding track conditions and he is in my view one of the leading chances to win the trophy or at least be placed. Little Island has to come from behind midfield and would profit more if the pace would be faster, but even in the good-to-slow pace scenario, he is a win and place chance for me. Red Marvel was badly held up in his last race and he is working well and is one of the major chances too. Go Go Win surprised at long odds last time and is a place chance for me being perfectly positioned in the race. One should not underestimate three-time course and distance winner Trendy Win.
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