Perhaps some of you still have your minds on the amazing riding skills and tactics of our top jockeys in the Cathay Pacific International Jockeys' Championship on Wednesday, but I think it's time now to start focusing on the four exciting races we will be presenting at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin this Sunday.
I don't think it's too bold for me to say that the fields for our HK$62 million showcase event this year are the strongest in the event's 21 editions to date. With entries like the world's highest-rated active horse Dylan Thomas, the world's top-rated mare Darjina and Global Sprint Challenge champion-in-waiting Miss Andretti all featuring, I can promise you that the racing action at Sha Tin tomorrow will be world class.
So do the connections involved in our flagship international event. I was delighted to have a long chat with trainers Aidan O'Brien and Saeed bin Suroor at the trackwork breakfast session in the past few mornings and they were just as excited as me about Sunday's programme. It's a real pleasure to have these two top horsemen, together with other top trainers and jockeys, coming to Hong Kong for this event. Their presence further underlines the significance of our Turf World Championships in the international racing calendar.
Anyway, I have done my own analysis and I hope it will be a useful guide or reference while you are watching our four international races tomorrow.
Let me start with the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint, the race I look forward the most this year. As a race that will decide which horse is currently the best turf sprinter in the world, it's going to be a showdown between Miss Andretti, Europe's top sprinter Benbaun, and local team of Sacred Kingdom, Absolute Champion and Royal Delight. Though Miss Andretti lacked a bit of luck when drawn wide at Gate 12 for her first career start on a right-turn track, I agree with trainer Lee Freedman that the draw this time has adversely given his runner a bit of extra space to turn smoothly. I will not be surprised if this classy mare poses a severe threat to Sacred Kingdom in this race.
Unlike the Sprint, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile is more wide open. I think both Excellent Art and the world's highest-rated mare Darjina will be the runners enjoying a slight advantage in quality, but the chances of our own Floral Pegasus and Good Ba Ba should not be overlooked.
The world's highest-rated horse Dylan Thomas should be a dominant force in this year's Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase. I believe this 3-year-old colt has a good chance to bow out from his outstanding career on a high note, helping Aidan O'Brien to register his first win in Hong Kong. German raider Quijano and last year's Hong Kong Derby winner Vital King look the most likely to cause an upset in this race.
I am looking forward to seeing how Ramonti performs in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup as I think he has the ability to extend from a mile to a mile and a quarter. But for sure, he has first to resist a tough challenge from our local champions Viva Pataca and Vengeance of Rain.
Another good reason to come and enjoy tomorrow's races is that you could well witness a historic moment – our champion jockey and newly-crowned International Jockeys' Championship winner Douglas Whyte notching the one more winner that he needs to set a new Hong Kong record. The current record of 946 held by jockey-turned-trainer Tony Cruz since the mid-1990s was once thought to be an unbeatable achievement.
I'm pleased to learn that more than 4,000 Club members and their families shared an enjoyable day at the Members' Equestrian Carnival we held at Sha Tin Racecourse and Penfold Park last Sunday, as they all showed huge interest on our exhibits in the Equestrian Pavilion, and were thrilled by the display of wonderful equestrian skills in the three mini-competitions in dressage, cross country and jumping.
After the last race tomorrow, there will be a closing ceremony featuring a marching display by the Hong Kong Police Band and Pipe Band as well as the popular pyrotechnic show in front of the concourse. I hope you all have a great day as I always believe that horseracing can be a sport for everybody to participate in and enjoy. See you there tomorrow!
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