As you likely know, the Conghua Training Centre (CTC) is a landmark project in the history of the Club and is scheduled to open in Q3 2018. Earlier today we announced the first nine trainers that have been designated as “dual-site trainers” for the first phase of the Conghua Training Centre (CTC). In case you have not seen the news yet, the trainers which will operate dual-site stables are: Tony Cruz, Caspar Fownes, John Moore, Paul O’Sullivan, Danny Shum, John Size, Chris So, Me Tsui and Dennis Yip.
This means that shortly after the site opens, these nine trainers will begin to operate stables both in Sha Tin and at Conghua. In subsequent seasons, more trainers will assume dual-site operations as we launch CTC in phases. We have arranged several information sessions in the coming weeks for Owners of horses with these trainers to help with their understanding of the project and to address whatever questions they may have. The CTC project is incredibly exciting and a sign of just how much our racing has grown. To review more information about CTC, please visit our website ctc.hkjc.com.
I am sure most racing fans caught up on the historic results from the Cox Plate last weekend as Winx secured a third consecutive success in the race, pushing her winning streak to 22 races. She has been a model of consistency and while the margin of victory was not large, it seemed as though jockey Hugh Bowman knew what he had in reserve. It was a remarkable accomplishment and I know racing fans around the world hope we get to see her try to extend the streak on foreign shores in the future.
In Japan, Kitasan Black won a very wet renewal of the Tenno Sho Autumn, defeating last year’s LONGINES Hong Kong Vase winner Satono Crown, who was closing late. Seven of the 18 runners in the race hold entries for our Hong Kong Cup, which is notable given that the last two winners of the Hong Kong Cup, Maurice and A Shin Hikari, made their previous start in that race before winning at Sha Tin.
Tonight is our first all-weather meeting of the season at Sha Tin with eight races scheduled. The feature is Class 2 Hebe Hill Handicap over 1650m which goes as race eight. There looks to be a rather predictable pace in this race, as many of the runners have well-established form. Classic Emperor and Victory Marvel are most likely to go to the lead, with Eastern Express likely to be nearby. King Genki should also take-up a handy position. Newcomer Salto Olimpico has raced forward in some trials and should be about mid pack with People’s Knight. Baba Mama, Divine Boy and Packing Dragon should be in mid pack as well, with Packing Dragon at risk of being caught wide.
The pace should be good to fast and with the good weather and some adjustments made to the dirt track, horses not only in the front of the field should have a chance to perform to their best. Divine Boy, being the choice of Joao Moreira, is in very good form, especially on the dirt, and is working very well. He is my first choice for a win and place.
Friends Of Ka Ying has to come from the back, but is in good form and was placed on the dirt in the past. He is at least a chance for a place and the same applies to People’s Knight, who should improve from his first up run.
I would not exclude some horses for at least a place which have not raced on the dirt track, but have worked and trialed very well, which are Eastern Express, Baba Mama and Classic Emperor, who has a dirt pedigree being a son of Medaglia D’Oro.
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