Another big weekend of Group 1 racing in Hong Kong is under way, with everyone looking forward to seeing how Beauty Generation and Mr Stunning follow up their LONGINES HKIR successes in the Stewards’ Cup and Centenary Sprint Cup this Sunday.
However, we also have an interesting midweek card at Happy Valley this Wednesday which showcases the increasingly positive influence that Conghua is having on Hong Kong racing.
Conghua Racecourse and training centre has only been open since late August but the evidence provides a clear indication of its success.
So far, horses who have spent time at Conghua have recorded 52 wins over 339 races in Hong Kong.
That equates to an impressive winning strike rate of better than one in seven and the number of horses coming down from our Mainland China base has increased appreciably of late.
Four of the winners on the 29 December card at Sha Tin came down from Conghua.
And New Year’s Day was equally significant with another four Conghua winners – namely Young Legend, Regency Legend, Picken and Money Winner – from a record 18 runners.
It is significant that Danny Shum took the opportunity to send Regency Legend there in November ahead of his first run and the benefits are there for all to see as he is now realizing his full potential as one of the most promising sprinters around.
The strong influence of Conghua has continued into January, with a combined total of over 30 horses coming back here to race last Saturday and tonight.
More trainers and horses will take their places at Conghua as 2019 progresses, but I think the data shows that we are right to take tremendous encouragement from the way things are going and it is fascinating to note that our new base has been responsible for at least one winner at all of the last 16 Hong Kong fixtures.
Wednesday’s fifth race is The Craigengower Cricket Club Challenge Cup for Class 4 sprinters over 1200m. It promises to be run at a good pace, with Super Euro Star, Dragon Dance, Flying Monkey and Phantom Falcon going forward with Roman Odyssey and Gouten Of Garo also involved in the early mix.
This is an evenly matched field with many chances. Jolly Bountiful adds blinkers but has drawn the outside gate so Moreira will need to make a quick decision whether to press forward or go back. With many horses likely to jump and run, I expect Jolly Bountiful to be in the back half of the field to avoid being caught wide and make him a place chance off his good effort three weeks ago.
Navas gets some class relief as he comes down in grade and will get a favourable pace scenario. He will come from the back and is a win and place chance as Purton rides the horse for the first time. Manful Star is stepping up in grade after a solid win over the straight course at Sha Tin and looks to be improving. He is a place chance along with in-form Dragon Dance.
The concluding Class 3 Sports Road Handicap over 1650m gives several four-year-olds a chance to improve their ratings, particularly for Green Luck to earn selection for next week’s Hong Kong Classic Mile at Sha Tin.
Recent winner Starlit Knight looks the likely leader but the progressive Green Luck looks the best win and place chance with Purton aboard. Happy Dragon is fresh from a strong course win under de Sousa and he looks the main danger.
Comment
