Having watched the star performances of John Size and Joao Moreira at Sha Tin on Saturday, I was again in the equestrian arena on Sunday at AsiaWorld-Expo to witness German rider Christian Ahlmann produce a perfect ride in the featured event of the weekend, the LONGINES Grand Prix of Hong Kong. It was also a great thrill to see some of our talented young local riders perform in front of the big crowd in Sunday’s two-round HKJC Junior Trophy. Sham Hang-yuk was the winner of this inaugural contest but I’m sure all of the participating riders benefitted from the experience of riding on the big stage.
Back to racing, we also announced the priority to run for the Hong Kong Classic Cup. The top five finishers from the Classic Mile are in the field and will square off again in this 1800m race, along with the very interesting prospect Dinozzo, who was so impressive last time. I’m sure our racing fans are as interested as I am to get a closer look at their final preparations in the next days before Sunday’s second leg of the Classic Series.
We are back at Happy Valley this evening where we host the finale of this season’s Happy Valley Million Challenge. Of special interest to the Million Challenge will be races five through seven, which hold the five possible winners of the contest. The Tony Cruz-trained Happy Spirit currently leads the standings but three horses from the Ricky Yiu stable, namely Wonderful Journey, Packing Dragon and Molly’s Jade Star can also surpass the leader, as could Blocker Dee for Caspar Fownes. By the end of the meeting, an extra HK$1 million will be distributed to the highest points earners and my best of luck to all.
Tonight’s sixth race is the Happy Valley Trophy Handicap, a Class 1 over 1200m. The pace in the race will be good-to-fast as Sea Jade is most likely to go forward and try to clear the field and lead throughout. Almababy will probably sit outside Blocker Dee and pressing the pace, with Lucky Year behind in a good spot. Molly’s Jade Star is at risk of being posted wide but could get a spot behind Almababy. Archippus, Apollo’s Choice, Happy Surveys, Key Witness, Strathmore and Country Melody will all be near the back.
Sea Jade is a clear win and place hope given his tremendous season so far. He will get in with a very light weight over a course and distance that have suited him well this season and makes him very dangerous. While this is a test, stepping up to Class 1, I think Joao Moreira can measure out his strong early speed and he could earn a fifth win this season. Strathmore is the class horse in the field, having run a great third in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize last May, and has not been beaten too far against some of the best sprinters in Hong Kong. While Strathmore has to deal with top-weight, like Lucky Year, and might have to cover some extra ground from a wide draw. Both horses are at least placing chances and should get a strong pace which could help their closing kicks. Archippus is another who is in good form and was a fast-closing fourth behind Sea Jade two starts back. He has a good draw and is a placing chance for Zac Purton.
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