Every so often a horse can successfully back-up to win and it was such an occasion on Sunday when Dinozzo scored back-to-back feature wins, highlighted by his all-the-way win in the G3 Centenary Vase under a smart Joao Moreira ride.
Dictating the early pace with a slow, methodical and unchallenged tempo, Moreira ensured that Dinozzo had plenty left in reserve. I should add that Gold Mount’s second place finish was particularly strong given the slow pace and he should be a legitimate candidate in some longer races going forward. Of course, we also saw two other impressive wins on Sunday, both from the John Size yard. Ivictory recorded his fourth win from five starts while Ping Hai Star found trouble in running yet again but got to the finish first.
This is a big week in horse sport as AsiaWorld-Expo will be the spotlight venue for the equestrian world starting from tomorrow, as it will host one of the largest ever equestrian events in the region, the inaugural Asia Horse Week. Part of the annual Longines Masters Hong Kong, one of three such flagship competitions around the world which commences on Friday with the ever-popular Race of the Riders, the Asia Horse Week programme includes an international equestrian conference on Thursday which covers many topics germane to the sport.
Asia has been a focal point of the equestrian industry in recent years as the sport has developed swiftly in the region. Attendees will take this opportunity to discuss and exchange their views in the sessions with many also focused on the next Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
Tonight we will welcome many guests in town for Asia Horse Week and the Longines Masters, including the representatives from many of the overseas equestrian federations. Before tonight’s first race, the jockeys and equestrian riders will meet for a photo opportunity. The jockeys include Neil Callan, Vincent Ho, Derek Leung and defending champion Joao Moreira who are paired, respectively, with Germany’s Simon Delestre, Clarissa Lyra and Jacqueline Lai, both representing Hong Kong, and America’s Reed Kessler. I hope all of our visitors enjoy the racing experience.
We have eight races on the card, including the Class 2 Wong Nai Chung handicap over 1800m which goes as the third event of the night, and the pace is expected to be good-to-slow. A four-time course and distance winner, with three of those coming when on the lead, Packing Dragon might lead with apprentice Matthew Poon aboard with Consort possible chasing following his wide draw. Happilababy could also be prominent in the early running with Prawn Baba nearby. Marvel Hero is likely to sit off the pace along with Rickfield, Pikachu and Victory Boys.
Despite a field of only eight horses, all of whom are working well coming into this race, it is an incredibly competitive event and I would not be surprised by any result. Marvel Hero ran very well when second to Dinozzo last week and should enjoy an easier spot this week. Some of the race tactics could go against him, however, so Joao Moreira will need to be keenly aware of the pace as it develops. He is a win and place chance. The tactical advantage given the likely slower pace could benefit Packing Dragon the most, who is winless in his last seven starts, but arguably is at his best over the 1800m at Happy Valley. Tonight’s smaller field, a good draw and the claim of Matthew Poon are all in his favour and I see him as a very solid place chance, but also with some claims for a win.
Happilababy, carrying only 107 pounds, is also a chance over the city track where he recorded a win in his only start, although that was over 2200m. Prawn Baba is in good form after his dirt win and was a solid second in his only start at Happy Valley last season. The other runners are equally compelling, with the second from Rickfield, a two-time course and distance winner, in his last start standing out considering how strong Rule Thee ran on Sunday, though he may need a stronger-than-expected pace to show his best.
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