The end of any Hong Kong racing season always sparks a wide range of emotions and this year is no exception.
Of course, it is always good for those who have been working hard to look forward to a summer break, but nights like Wednesday at Happy Valley provide a perfect reminder of what a wonderful sport we are involved in.
The rain cleared just in time and the Valley was buzzing on a night that showcased Hong Kong racing at its best. Zac Purton started with a smooth win on Aquila and followed up with a dashing success on High Rev. His double leaves him four short of Joao Moreira’s single season record of 170 winners but he has strong rides at Sunday’s Season Finale and, whatever happens, this has been the greatest season of our Champion Jockey’s career.
We then closed a great night with three more rounds of a fascinating race for the trainers’ championship. John Moore has thrown everything at John Size in the last few months, and having been 14 winners behind in early April, he drew level with his old rival on 74 when Magic Legend stormed clear in the Silver Grecian Handicap.
However, one of the things that has made John Size such a great trainer is his ability to rise to a challenge. True Grit came from way back under Joao to make it five wins in a row in the Sweet Orange Handicap. Tornado Twist repeated the feat in the closing Sun Jewellery Handicap and suddenly the Size team were two in front going into the final day.
Size has starters in six races on Sunday and should be able to pull off at least one win from his good chances like Monkey Jewellery, Aerohappiness, Time To Celebrate and Hezthewonforus.
That would set a high bar of four winners for John Moore to seize the championship but we have seen dramatic late swings on the final day more than once and it could well be that this story still has some distance to run.
The Champions Award Dinner is always a great start to our final weekend of the season and Friday’s event brought back some terrific memories.
Of course, Beauty Generation was the main attraction with three prizes including a second successive Horse of the Year Award, but Exultant would have been a worthy winner in most seasons and he was a deserved winner of the Champion Stayer and Champion Middle-Distance awards.
The fact that Champion’s Way was honoured as Champion Griffin and Most Improved Horse provided a timely reminder that we have some very exciting young horses coming through and the stage is now set for what promises to be another very special Season Finale at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Sunday’s Class 1 Sha Tin Mile Trophy is the featured eighth race with Ka Ying Star and Mission Tycoon taking up familiar places setting a good pace with Good Standing and Raging Blitzkrieg in close pursuit.
Harmony Victory has run well in his last two starts and gets in with a light weight. He is a multiple G1 winner in Brazil and is now beginning to show his form here in Hong Kong. He looks a strong contender coming from well off the pace.
Time To Celebrate is well drawn and is a three-time winner over course and distance. He will get an ideal trip and is win and place chance.
Ka Ying Star has progressed well and is a solid place chance, while Good Standing has always run well for Zac Purton and is also a place chance.
The Class 2 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy is the final race of the season with a good mix of up and coming horses against proven veterans in the 1400m test. The pace will be good with California Whip, Thanks Forever and Hezthewonforus all involved in setting the early sectionals.
Thanks Forever is the lone three-year-old and is highly regarded after winning the first three races of his career over 1000m impressively but he disappointed in his last start when outsprinted in the early part of the race over 1200m. He steps up again in trip and the easier pace will help him establish his usual position but I am not convinced he can handle the distance at this stage of his career.
Glorious Spectrum is on the opposite side of the coin. He is also stepping up in trip but looks perfectly suited to handle the additional furlong in his second-up run. He should be just worse than midfield in the run and is a win and place chance.
Hezthewonforus is making only his third start of the season and has trialled well to signal his sharpness. He will cross from a wide draw to secure a contending position and is a place chance over his preferred course and distance. Stablemate Mr So and So has returned to form and is proven over course and distance. He will be closing off nicely from the back along with Fast Most Furious and both are place chances.
And so, as we approach the end of another season, all that remains is to thank all our HKJC staff for their hard work and every one of our fans and followers for their continued support. It is my privilege to captain this world-class team and I wish all of you a very safe and successful summer.
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