Yesterday in Beijing, Patrick Lam, a member of the Club’s Equestrian Team, secured a fantastic result, winning the final leg of the 2016 FEI World Cup Jumping China League. On top of that, he was the overall champion of the China League and has qualified for the 2017 FEI World Cup Jumping Final, one of the world’s most prestigious indoor jumping competitions in the world.
Patrick has been supported by the Club for nearly a decade and it is tremendous to see the success he has achieved. Of course, the Club has been a strong support of equestrian sport for years, most notably when it came to Hong Kong’s hosting of the equestrian events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We wish Patrick all the best in the World Cup Jumping Final competition in America this spring.
Although we are just in the second month of our racing season, the seasons in Europe and North America are both approaching the end of their current campaigns. In Europe, the victory of Found in the Arc has boosted her prospects to become the European Horse of the Year, but I would say it is far from the final conclusion as the race for this coveted title is still wide open.
But Stateside, I think the race for the Eclipse Award appears to be more straightforward. It’s very likely to be a two-way battle between Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome and Queen Anne Stakes winner Tepin – the two top horses who remain undefeated this season with a clean slate of six wins each. Both of them are in unquestionable form of late as California Chrome cruised to an easy victory in a G1 at Santa Anita last weekend. Tepin returned from a short spell following her Ascot win and landed success in the Woodbine Mile and is back to run at Keeneland on Sunday. They will both be the banner horses when they feature in the Breeders’ Cup races at Santa Anita next month.
For Hong Kong, we may possibly have another local horse bound for the Breeders’ Cup meeting. Our dirt star Gun Pit pleased his trainer Caspar Fownes as he ran on strongly in ease when he took part in a Sha Tin dirt trial earlier this week. Caspar will now arrange another trial for Gun Pit next week before deciding whether to send him for the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile – the first day of the carnival – on 4 November.
Rich Tapestry was our first representative in the Breeders’ Cup two years ago. He was victorious in his Group 1 prep there but had a tough trip in the big race. Gun Pit is undoubtedly a horse that possesses plenty of talent, especially on the dirt surface. I will continue to follow his news and see if his US trip materializes in the coming weeks.
This afternoon we will also have two dirt races at Sha Tin, with eight others being held on the turf. The Yuen Long Handicap is run as the eighth race and is a Class 2 over 1600m of the B+2 course. It is a very competitive field and has attracted proven Class 2 horses plus some likely to progress and become established in this grade.
The pace should be good in this race, giving all a fair chance to show their best. Kei Chiong has led all the way on Lucky Girl before, and I would expect her to take him forward again. Supreme Profit is strong on the front too, and should also be forwardly placed under Dylan Mo. Ultimate Glory regularly races towards the front and has a good draw for this, while California Disegno should race to his outside. Packing Llaregyb and Mighty Maverick should follow them. The likely horses who will race wide include Sergeant Titanium, Up And Coming and Top Act.
Packing Llaregyb has improved in his work since his first start and with an in-form Nash Rawiller on board, is one of the top chances in my opinion. Mighty Maverick was trapped wide in his last start and the race has advanced his fitness. Add in his good draw and it should give him a good chance to win, or at least being placed.
Sergeant Titanium was also trapped wide in his season debut. He is at risk of being trapped wide again with his draw in 11, but with Brett Prebble aboard, I still see him as a place chance. My other choice is Simply Invincible who, in his season debut, ran a good race coming from last with a wide run around the turn, making up significant ground. He is ridden by Chad Schofield and is a win and place chance for me.
Comment
