The “Magic Man” did it again, as Joao Moreira became the first jockey this season to score a five-timer, having accomplished the task at Happy Valley on Wednesday. The first four races of the night all went to Moreira’s mounts and there was quite a buzz around the racecourse. Although he just managed to add one more win in the remaining races on the card, gauging by every standard it was still a very impressive performance.
While Joao was dominant this week, and has now opened a sizable lead in the jockey premiership after what might otherwise have been considered a slow start, there’s no doubt Aidan O’Brien is the man of the moment in Europe. The Irish maestro has already saddled 20 G1 wins this season, including a one-two-three finish in the Arc race a fortnight ago. He has fielded a strong hand of runners, including Arc winner Found, 1000 Guineas and Oaks winner Minding, and Arc third Order Of St George, in the British Champions races at Ascot tonight. Will O’Brien add more G1s to his ledger this evening? You can find out in our simulcast coverage, which will carry five of the races from Ascot in the evening supplementing our earlier coverage from Australia. I flew to London late on Friday and am soon on my way to Ascot. It should be a great day at Ascot!
After the big British Champions Day, I will fly back to Hong Kong and should arrive after the first few races. We have a very obvious race day focus tomorrow, as most of the attention will be given to the last race of the day, one many around the world will be awaiting too. The 11th race is the Woodpecker Handicap, a Class 2 over 1400 metres of the C course. Pakistan Star is certainly the talk of the race, and even though he showed some more speed in a recent barrier trial, no one would be surprised if he trails early, especially with a wider draw. Spicy Sure is very likely to go forward with High And Mighty and Mr Bogart tracking. Hammer King should get a very nice spot behind them with Gorgeous King. Merion should be in midfield with Speedy Longwah and Solar Hei Hei. Dukedom will likely be behind those with Travel Datuk at the back with Santa Fe Sun and Pakistan Star.
Pakistan Star is the clear favourite and even the good to slow pace which favours horses in the front or mid field slightly should not stop him to win again but one has to bear in mind he is a Northern Hemisphere three-year-old having only his third start in his life and running against battle proven Class 2 horses, some like the four-year-old Dukedom being a Group 1 winner in New Zealand.
Dukedom ran well in his first start in Hong Kong and should further benefit by stepping up in distance. Mr Bogart is in good form and working well and it will be interesting to see how he copes by stepping up in distance. Merion is my other choice to run well and being a place chance.
But they all have to beat Pakistan Star who seems to have improved jumping out of the gates and must not give his opponents too much of an advantage. He showed his class in his last start over 1400m and in my opinion, he will be even better over a longer distance considering at his pedigree.
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