We are approaching the final few weeks of our local racing season as there are only eight more race meetings on the docket. But next week is a big one on the global calendar and our racing fans will be treated to three simulcast evenings from Royal Ascot. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, we will all enjoy the great action from a magical race meeting, and there will surely be some familiar names running, including several previous visitors to Hong Kong. Among them, Highland Reel has several entries at this stage while French sprinter Signs Of Blessing, fifth in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in December, is in the entries for both the King’s Stand on Tuesday and the Diamond Jubilee on Saturday. One Foot In Heaven, third in last year’s LONGINES Hong Kong Vase also holds an entry in next Saturday’s Hardwicke.
While there are no Hong Kong trained runners this year, it is always fun to look back at our horses that have raced there in the past – particularly the winners, including Little Bridge in the King’s Stand in 2012, and Cape Of Good Hope who won the Golden Jubilee when the meeting was held at York during Ascot’s redevelopment. There have been several other strong placings too.
The main international contingent this year comes from a strong group of 14 American horses which certainly brings a bit of added flair to the meeting, with leading trainers such as Todd Pletcher, off the back of Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes wins, Graham Motion, Bill Mott and of course, Wesley Ward all taking part in the action. Ward’s filly Lady Aurelia is one of the leading chances in the King’s Stand and would be the type we would like to have for the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint in December. I’m sure our racing fans will enjoy the action lined up over the three simulcast days next week.
Tomorrow is Father’s Day and I hope you all enjoy and celebrate the occasion. On course, we will also be hosting our annual Members’ Day at Sha Tin. The support of our Members is such an important factor in the development of racing in Hong Kong, most notably as our Members are also our source of Owners. It will be a very enjoyable day at the races with our Members, who will be able to enjoy various special offers, activities and arrangements tomorrow.
Among the 10 races on tomorrow’s card, the Racing Club Handicap is a Class 2 event which goes as the 10th race, and is run over 1200m. The pace is likely to be good-to-fast with Shamal likely to go forward once again. Little Giant, House Of Fun and Lucky Dollar are likely to all go forward too, with Momentum Lucky and High Five sitting behind. Dragon General is at risk of being caught wide. Flying Tourbillon should sit behind the speed with Turf Sprint and Key Witness. Lean Ambassador and Bulb Elite seem likely to be near the rear early.
This projected pace should give every horse a good chance to show their best. House Of Fun should be ideally placed and, ridden by Joao Moreira, is a strong win and place chance given his very good recent form and track work. Little Giant, with Zac Purton aboard, is working very well too and his first course and distance win was impressive. He is my main pick to win the race. Shamal should not be underestimated, but I prefer High Five, Flying Tourbillon and Lucky Dollar for place chances.
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