And so we begin another Group 1 week in Hong Kong racing.
This Sunday’s Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup brings back vivid memories of some very special horses, from four-time winner River Verdon, three-time winner Viva Pataca and dual winners such as Indigenous, Oriental Express and Blazing Speed.
Pakistan Star will be bidding to join the dual winner club when he goes up against our current leading stayer Exultant this weekend and, with fellow Group 1 winners Glorious Forever and Time Warp stepping up to 2400m for the first time, the stage is set for a thrilling contest.
Sunday’s feature event will be the final G1 contest of our season but the last two months of each Hong Kong campaign are always very informative in terms of identifying young, up and coming horses who might be able to progress and make their mark at a higher level in due course.
Big Party recorded his third win from five starts at Sha Tin on Saturday and the way he brushed aside his rivals in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Community Trophy – coming within a fraction of the Class 3 track record and recording the fastest 400m split of the day (21.41s) despite being eased – marks him out as a young sprinter with a very bright future.
John Moore’s Uncle Steve looked another progressive handicapper when completing a four timer for Zac Purton, and although Champion’s Way couldn’t quite stretch his unbeaten run to six in the Class 2 finale he did more than enough to suggest that he belongs in good company.
Of course, those three horses are trained by the trio who are currently fighting for the trainers’ title. Frankie Lor had the edge on Saturday with a double to reduce John Size’s lead to seven, but there is still quite a way to go and there was also a glimpse of what may be to come in future seasons on show at Sha Tin over the weekend.
As many of you will have seen, Douglas Whyte is back in town after a global tour observing how master trainers such as Sir Michael Stoute, Mike de Kock, Chris Waller and David Hayes go about their business.
The three months since his emotional retirement ceremony have gone by very quickly and it will be fascinating to see how one of Hong Kong’s most famous riders adapts to his new career when the 2019-20 season gets under way in September.
Wednesday’s Class 2 Suffolk Handicap brings together a top field of Class 2 sprinters over 1200m as the final race of the night. The pace will be fast with Handsome Bo Bo, Fat Turtle, Montreal, Yee Cheong Baby and Little Bird all involved in what appears to be a contentious battle for early position.
Yee Cheong Baby has been impressive since arriving in Hong Kong with an eye-catching trial over course and distance in early April before winning his debut four weeks ago. He may not be quick enough to lead but will get a nice run from the box seat and is eligible to improve as he moves up to Class 2.
Fat Turtle is another smart youngster who enters the race in top form. Frankie Lor’s gelding also steps up in grade after a strong effort contesting the pace from stall 11 in a rapidly-run race last month and is much better drawn here in stall 2 under Karis Teetan. There is not much between these progressive horses and Yee Cheong Baby and Fat Turtle both hold win and place chances.
Tornado Twist will settle at the back but can benefit from the fast pace and will be running on late. He is a place chance along with Fantastic Feeling, who will be suited by the fast pace and ran very well after a three-month break on his latest start. Three of the four horses mentioned – namely Fat Turtle, Yee Cheong Baby and Tornado Twist – are eligible for the Club’s HK$850,000 High Achievement Bonus for horses rated 80 or above who win in Class 2 before reaching the age of five.
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