The end of a busy week of international racing always throws up some interesting talking points and recent events in England and Japan have given us plenty to chew on.
Sunday’s Takarazuka Kinen featured most of Japan’s best middle distance horses but it was won in runaway style by Lys Gracieux. This high-class filly performed bravely to chase home Exultant in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase before finishing third in the FWD QEII Cup and the fact that she could return home with such a dominant performance pays a notable tribute to the strength of the Hong Kong staying division this year.
Blue Point clearly didn’t show his best form when he came to challenge Hong Kong’s best sprinters in last year’s Chairman’s Sprint Prize but he has thrived since and ended a highly enjoyable Royal Ascot by winning his second Group 1 contest of the week in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
In other news from Ascot, the first ever World Pool proved a big success on several levels.
Total turnover on the week was well over HK$1 billion, representing an average daily increase of over 40 per cent on last year, and it was fascinating to observe the dividends returned for longer priced winners.
From a total of 30 races run between Tuesday and Saturday there were a total of seven winners returned at a UK starting price of 18-1 or higher.
All seven were returned at significantly longer odds in the World Pool – an average of 13 points longer, in fact – and we are very much looking forward to developing this concept with our valued partners at Ascot and beyond over the next few years.
Back on home turf, Sunday’s Sha Tin fixture proved a red letter day for Grant van Niekerk, who rode a treble and secured his first Group-race victory in Hong Kong when Flying Thunder won the G3 Premier Cup.
Vincent Ho’s wonderful season continued when Rise High defied top weight like a high-class horse in the Premier Plate, while Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Warrior added his name to a growing list of exciting young sprinters with a very impressive Class 3 success.
John Moore also trains a couple of sprinters with huge potential – namely Thanks Forever and Aethero – and it’s interesting to see that both horses are entered for next Monday’s HKSAR Reunification Day meeting at Sha Tin.
Slowly but surely, John has reduced John Size’s lead at the top of the table to five. Both men have some aces left to play and, with six meeting left over the next two and a half weeks, there could still be some late drama as the race to be champion trainer reaches its climax.
It will be good to be back at Happy Valley on Wednesday and the Class 2 Grass Island Handicap over 1000m will see Moment Of Power, Speedy King, Handsome Bo Bo and Baltic Whisper mixing it up early to ensure a good pace.
Country Star and Saul’s Special will be reserved just off the early leaders. California Archer is drawn wide but can also push forward to try and be in early contention.
Country Star is coming off a disappointing run in early March but has been working well for his return. He was sent to Conghua for a couple of months and looks to be back on track after two strong trials. He is a five-time winner at Happy Valley in his freshman season and is a win and place chance on class.
Moment Of Power is another returning from an extended break and he, too, has shown positive signs in his preparation. He is a short track specialist and is a place chance.
Speedy King is in top form and is a last start winner in this grade. He will be in the fight from the jump and is a place chance. Saul’s Special has tactical speed to be close to the pace, always an advantage over this course and distance, and Purton takes the ride. He is also a place chance.
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