Despite some travel difficulties when my first flight was turned around after departure on Thursday and returned to Hong Kong due to mechanical issues, I have been in Dubai for the annual World Cup meeting which we simulcast on Saturday and greatly enjoyed the tremendous races. We also had our International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and Asian Racing Federation meetings to coincide with this significant race day.
Godolphin managed to win four of the big races on the night, including two under very tactical rides from Christophe Soumillon on Thunder Snow in the World Cup itself and another from William Buick on Hawkbill in the Sheema Classic. Both were allowed to slow paces and led throughout. Trainer Charlie Appleby noted that he is strongly considering the Standard Chartered Champions ＆ Chater Cup in May for Hawkbill, while his Al Quoz Sprint winner Jungle Cat also holds a Chairman’s Sprint Prize entry and could be a visitor to us later this month.
While it was unfortunate to not have any Hong Kong runners going, a rarity given that has not happened since 2005, I’m sure we will see more of our horses take the chance in the coming years. With the Easter holiday, we moved our races to the Monday, which also enables jockeys to participate in the World Cup card and not miss a Hong Kong race meeting, as can be the case if we race on the Sunday.
We also carried the Osaka Hai meeting on Sunday which featured several horses that hold Audemars Piguet QEII Cup entries and will follow their interests onward as the we get closer to the announcement of the selected runners for our Champions Day meeting.
This weekend was also momentous in Hong Kong with our fourth annual Riding High Together Festival, which brought so many in our community together for a fantastic celebration at Sha Tin. A new Guinness World Record was set for the most people painting figurines under the guidance of local artist Ken Tang. The tens of thousands in attendance enjoyed the many “edutainment” activities for all members of the families. This year’s Festival carried the theme “Let’s Progress Hand in Hand,” and it is most suitable given what we accomplish together for our community.
We announced the contribution of over HK$480 million to three new projects, namely KeySteps@JC, the Jockey Club SMART Family-Link Project and Fun to MOVE@JC. Through cross-sectoral and cross-professional collaboration, the projects will provide support for all-round child development and family harmony to benefit some 140,000 citizens in need of such services.
My sincerest thanks go to all who attended this year’s Festival and for our wonderful team who ensured a great time was had by all.
Today at Sha Tin for our Easter Monday meeting we will have ten races and the feature is the Hyacinth Handicap, a Class 2 over 1400m of the B+2 Course, which has drawn a field of nine. The pace is likely to be good-to-slow with Kingsfield expected to go forward while Calculation and My Darling should assume tracking positions with Taking Aim and What Else But You behind. Racing Supernova is expected to settle in midpack with California Joy and World Record near the back, along with the debuting Arcada.
Kingsfield has run very well in his last three races, notably twice placing behind our Derby winner Ping Hai Star. Those were solid efforts and he should get another favourable pace setup to help him in this spot, and is my main win and place chance. Calculation was a big winner on the dirt last time after a solid third from a wide barrier before that. He is in good form and is another win and place hope.
What Else But You is well-drawn on the rail and should enjoy a better trip which gives him a claim in this race. World Record runs on from the back but might not get enough early pace to help him with that late kick, and I see him only as more of a placing selection.
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