Light rain persisted for hours before Sunday’s BMW Hong Kong Derby and it provided a testing condition for all 14 contenders. But Rapper Dragon didn’t disappoint the tens of thousands in attendance, becoming the first horse to achieve a clean sweep in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
Joao Moreira was very emotional after the race, bursting into tears when celebrating with his wife before the presentation ceremony. Describing it as the biggest win of his career, it’s not difficult to imagine Joao shouldered immense pressure before the race was quite relieved after the mission was accomplished. Now it seems the Champions Mile is likely the next target for Rapper Dragon and I believe all racing fans will be eager to see how he comes along against older horses and international opponents on 7 May.
In addition, the likes of Pakistan Star, Beauty Generation and Seasons Bloom all ran good races, as their form would have suggested, and I am looking forward to seeing their future performances in the top ranks. Pakistan Star’s second in the Derby brought his career earnings to just less than HK$11 million, a fantastic result in the year since his purchase at our 2016 Hong Kong International Sale.
As I noted last week, our Owners purchased 29 lots for more than HK$130 million at the 2017 HKIS, and I am hopeful that all will have much success with their new purchases. Of course, the surplus from our sale contributes to our overall surplus. Due to the nature of the Club, we will donate our surplus from operations minus the tax we pay on this surplus to our Charity Trust which means that the HKIS will approximately contribute HK$33.4 million to our trust this year.
Racing returns to Happy Valley tonight and a very strong field is assembled for the Class 1 Happy Valley Vase, including last year’s winner, Horse Of Fortune. Run over 1800m, the pace in this race should be good-to-slow, which should favour horses near the front, as Packing Dragon is likely to lead with Horse Of Fortune nearby. Speedy Longwah should enjoy a great trip on the rail with Helene Super Star sitting to his outside. Basic Trilogy might line up next with Marvel Hero nearby and Circuit Land in midpack on the rail. Dynamism, Anticipation and Supreme Profit are all projected to be near the rear.
Packing Dragon might have a tactical edge in this field where he will go forward and attempt to lead over the 1800m trip again, twice doing so earlier in this season. Carrying just 115 pounds, Derek Leung will have to overcome his wide draw in gate 10, but it could be enough for him to win yet again. I rate him as my main win and place chance.
Marvel Hero has been superb in two recent wins in his last tries at our city track and once again draws Joao Moreira, who was aboard for both wins. He is at the bottom of the handicap here in his first try in Class 1 and Moreira should keep him close enough to the early pace with a fair draw in gate seven. He is also a win and place chance for me.
Dynamism is well drawn and has been closest, most recently, over 1800m when beaten a neck in December. Equally, Speedy Longwah was not beaten far by Packing Dragon in a Class 1 earlier and will enjoy the benefit of just 104 pounds with Dylan Mo up on his first night riding at Happy Valley. Both are placing chance tonight.
Comment
