Whatever the result, two new "firsts" will be set, as the Monmouth Park racetrack in New Jersey is hosting the Breeders' Cup race meeting for the first time in its history, while this will also be the first time our Club to simulcast a Breeders' Cup race and accept bets in Hong Kong.
This stems from the closer ties we have now established with the Breeders' Cup organisers, after a partnership between the Asian Mile Challenge and the Breeders' Cup was formed earlier this year. I feel very honoured and delighted that as part of this agreement, our own Champions Mile held at Sha Tin in April has become the first race outside North America to be part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge "win and you're in" proviso.
Although trainer John Moore has chosen not to travel this year's Champions Mile winner Able One to the US and race in the Breeders' Cup Mile, I do hope a locally-based horse will represent Hong Kong in this race sometime in the near future, to take on other top milers from North America and Europe.
Another reason why there is added interest in this year's race here in Hong Kong is that the winner will be offered the opportunity to enter our own Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile in December. There is a mouth-watering bonus of US$1 million awaiting any horse that can win both races in the same year.
Some 14 horses will contest Sunday morning's US$2 million Netjets Breeders' Cup Mile. With dirt races being the mainstream of racing in the US, I believe horses coming from Europe will enjoy an edge in this turf battle. Among them, I feel that although St. James Palace Stakes winner and Irish contender Excellent Art has drawn wide and will start the race at Gate 13, it will still be the horse to beat.
Apart from the Mile, the Breeders' Cup programme is extending to 11 races over two days this year, with Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Dylan Thomas also running in the Breeders' Cup Turf. Although we will not accept bets on this race, we will still replay the Breeders' Cup Turf and Breeders' Cup Classic races at Happy Valley and Sha Tin Racecourses on Sunday. We believe from the sporting point of view, it is worthwhile to bring these two world-class races to our racing fans for viewing. I hope in the future we will be permitted to simulcast more of these races, as well as other Group One events from around the world, for the benefit of our racing fans here in Hong Kong,
Back to our own races tomorrow, the first Happy Valley day meeting this season, I hope you will enjoy our exciting races and a different but cosy atmosphere in this city track. The horse that has drawn my attention is Excellent Boy. Let's see how he performs.
Comment
