We had a very enjoyable day at Sha Tin on Sunday with the annual 18 Districts Cup meeting. It was great to interact with the more than 200 community leaders in attendance, which included Legislative Council members, District Councillors and District Officers. Together we celebrated the collaborative efforts of Club volunteers and our many community partners working together for the betterment of Hong Kong.
I saw the replay of Australian supermare Winx achieving her 17th Group 1 win on Saturday in the George Ryder Stakes, a new record for a thoroughbred on the flat. This was not her finest performance overall, but a solid effort to keep her streak going, which now stands at 24 straight wins. The margin was just less than a length, but she still seemed comfortable and will now likely progress on in the coming weeks.
I would like to congratulate her ownership team, trainer Chris Waller and jockey Hugh Bowman on this incredible achievement as she has shown that even when not at her absolute best, she overcomes difficulties and shows great determination. I know that many racing fans would like to see Winx compete overseas, but I can understand the reservations her connections may have, especially at the end of a demanding season.
Blizzard enjoyed another strong run in Sunday’s Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, finishing fifth beaten just 1.25 lengths. Having travelled nicely after the break, he looked to have a promising chance early in the home straight, but could not muster enough kick to catch the likes of Let’s Go Donki, while winner Fine Needle came over the top to claim a first Group 1 win in Japan for Godolphin. Jockey Karis Teetan reported after the race that the ground, while solid on top, was still rain-affected below and that Blizzard would have appreciated a firmer surface.
Both Fine Needle and Let’s Go Donki are amongst the entrants for the Chairman’s Sprint Prize on 29 April, part of our Champions Day programme, and it would be great to see them here on the day. Let’s Go Donki would be making a return appearance to Hong Kong after finishing the best of the overseas runners, despite missing the start, in December’s Hong Kong Sprint.
Jockey Zac Purton is in fine form after he scored a five-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday, matching his previous best single-day performance in Hong Kong. The quintet of wins put him six behind our reigning champion Joao Moreira, but Zac commences a two-meeting suspension tonight, giving Joao a chance to extend his margin. He is riding Dinozzo, one of the leading hopes in our feature tonight, the Class 1 Happy Valley Vase, which goes as Race 6 over 1800m of the C+3 course and is one of the most prestigious races run under the lights.
A moderate pace is expected with in-form Packing Dragon, Dinozzo and Rocketeer expected to make the running. Packing Dragon is a Happy Valley specialist, having won 8 of 17 races over the course, and is from the same dam, Golden Gamble, as former Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon. He is a place chance for me tonight. In sharp contrast, Gold Mount is making his first appearance at the Valley and has not trialed over the course. He is also a place chance, however, after running competitively against top-class horses such as Time Warp, Highland Reel and Werther earlier this season.
My win and place preference is Jolly Banner on the strength of a strong performance at 1400 when adding blinkers in his last start. The trip is a bit of a question but he figures to get a good trip and is coming into the race in top form. Eagle Way, a winner in his only start over this course and distance, is a place chance along with Dinozzo, a horse that is at his best at Happy Valley.
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