Certain charismatic stars form a bond with a global audience that elevates their entire sport to a whole new level.
We saw it with Winx on a memorable day in Sydney on Saturday. We saw it again with Tiger Woods on an amazing day at the Masters golf in Augusta on Sunday. And we may well see it again when Beauty Generation tops the bill on FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on 28 April.
The remarkable Winx went into Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes seeking her 33rd consecutive success. It’s been my pleasure to see her first hand for a number of those big wins and a full house of over 42,000 people packed into Randwick for her final racecourse appearance.
Once again, the Aussie public were there to see the star of the show and Winx didn’t disappoint, producing that trademark surge down the centre under Hugh Bowman and prompting memorable scenes as she paraded before her adoring public for the final time.
I have said it several times before but, for me, moments like these are what help us truly promote racing as world-class sport.
With Winx now retired, the baton passes to her counterparts towards the top of the world rankings and the timing is now perfect for Beauty Generation, Santa Ana Lane and the rest of the FWD Champions Day stars to show what they can do at Sha Tin a week on Sunday.
Last Sunday at Sha Tin was all about possible stars of the future, with John Moore comparing Aethero to Able Friend after an impressive winning debut and John Size talking about Champion’s Way as a potential Group-race horse after he stretched his unbeaten run to five in the Class 2 finale.
It was good to see Furore trialling strongly with several other FWD QEII Cup contenders on Tuesday and his Hong Kong Derby form will be on show at Happy Valley this Wednesday in the Class 2 King’s Park Handicap over 1650m.
Ka Ying Star and Mr So And So are back after fading on Derby day, while former British G1 winner Rivet now has Zac Purton aboard for the first time after winning a Conghua trial and Divine Unicorn makes his Hong Kong debut after finishing under four lengths behind Winx on his final start in Australia last year.
Tony Cruz supplies the two most likely front runners and the pace may not be that strong as a result, with Circuit Glory likely to lead stablemate Ka Ying Star early. Turin Redstar and Divine Unicorn are set to chase the leaders, while Rivet tends to be held up and last year’s Derby fourth Ruthven may have to take back from a tricky outside draw.
Ka Ying Star had been progressing well before the Derby and has since beaten Chefano in a trial at the Valley. He is a clear place chance, along with Rivet and Winning Faith, but Circuit Glory and Turin Redstar are also interesting.
Circuit Glory seemed to go off harder than ideal over 1800m for Dylan Mo on his latest start but he can go well if his winning rider Karis Teetan can get to the front without too much pressure.
Turin Redstar is another with win and place claims. He has run some very good races, often from high draws. He is better prepared than last time, when he had missed some fast work and his regular track work since has been good.
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