We have a quick turnaround to Saturday racing this week. With the historic Group 1 races that comprise much of the Melbourne Spring Carnival looming in the coming weeks, our simulcast schedule will also be getting quite busy. The Caulfield Cup will be carried next week along with the big Group 1 races as part of British Champions Day.
As previewed earlier this week, I enjoyed spending time with the AFL premiers, the Richmond Tigers, who joined us for midweek racing at Happy Valley. They landed in Hong Kong at 6pm and made the races their first stop on a much needed holiday following their successful season.
After observing the horses in the parade ring and watching the sixth race, they enjoyed a visit to the Beer Garden with me to watch the beer hoisting competition final and posed for photos with some of their supporters who were on hand. They spent the rest of the night at adrenaline and based on my observations and conversations with them, I think they were quite taken with the racing experience we have on offer in Hong Kong. They will be at Sha Tin today as well.
I have yet to mention the great performance of Winx last week, who cruised to her 21st straight win with a six-length demolition of the G1 Turnbull Stakes. While it is not possible for her to travel to Hong Kong for the HKIR, the ease with which she performs is a pleasure to watch and I hope her streak continues, with hopes of an international campaign next year a possibility.
As for our top horses, quite a few of them trialed this week in advance of the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy and Premier Bowl next weekend. Among them were Chairman’s Sprint Prize winner Lucky Bubbles, who was very fluent in a dirt trial on Tuesday. John Size’s top sprinters Mr Stunning, Thewizardofoz, Amazing Kids and the progressive D B Pin were out yesterday, as was John Moore’s pair of top quality milers Helene Paragon and Joyful Trinity.
Today’s card is led by the Class 2 Hakka Cup Handicap over 1600m on the C course, and the pace is expected to be good-to-slow, which should give a slight advantage to the horse positioned in the front of the field. Solar Hei Hei is reliable to go forward and can settle there along with Classic Emperor. Neither have to lead, and are adaptable to different circumstances, but will be up close. Eastern Express should also be prominent in the run. Lucky Girl and Baba Mama are likely to be behind the speed with Encounter and Citron Spirit in midpack.
Solar Hei Hei is in good form and should benefit from the seven-pound claim Matthew Poon has. He should be well positioned stepping from 1400m to the 1600m, which is not an issue for him and he is my first choice. Citron Spirit, who beat him last time out, got a perfect ride from Chad Schofield and is a win and place chance too. Eastern Express has trialed well and even his body weight is up. Despite carrying top weight, he is a chance to be placed, being well-positioned in the field.
While I think Rocketeer is a promising horse, I think he will need the run and is aimed for higher assignments later. I believe that Consort with his trial win and Encounter with the additional distance, stepping up to 1600m, are horses to be considered for a place.
Comment
