Life starts to get even more hectic than normal at this time of year and there is so much to pack into this midweek Blog.
However, the first point to make relates to last Sunday’s big meeting at Sha Tin. This was an important day on many levels and although the crowd was inevitably smaller than usual it was so heartening to hear people expressing their support for what we are trying to achieve.
Those who could not be there were missed but the fact that we were able to hold the meeting without any issues sends a strong signal internationally that Hong Kong remains a very resilient racing city.
That positive message is all the more important with LONGINES HKIR entries set to be revealed at Happy Valley on Wednesday night and Monday’s announcement that Frankie Dettori will be among a star-studded field for the IJC on 4 December means the build-up to our biggest week is now well under way.
And there is no question that Sunday’s events at Sha Tin have set the scene for Sunday 8 December in a compelling way.
Beauty Generation’s second defeat in a month behind the ever-improving Waikuku in the Jockey Club Mile gives things a very different look than most people expected.
Our dual Horse of the Year clearly needs to bounce back to land a third Hong Kong Mile but it is never wise to write off a champion and I do recall that Good Ba Ba was beaten in the same two races as Beauty Generation, before gaining his third consecutive HKIR success back in 2009.
Hong Kong’s champion middle distance stayer Exultant continues to come out of Beauty Generation’s shadow and his decisive success in the Jockey Club Cup sets him up perfectly for a repeat bid in what has all the makings of a very strong Hong Kong Vase. Meanwhile, Aethero’s dominant display in the Jockey Club Sprint shows that we have a hugely exciting new young star in our powerful 1200m division.
Closer to hand, it will be great to be back racing at the Valley for another Japanese-themed night this Wednesday.
The Class 2 Hydrangea Handicap will be run over 1000m as the seventh race of the night with a fast pace expected. Moment Of Power, Yee Cheong Baby, Mr Lumieres and Speed Vision are all likely to push forward to make the running.
Moment Of Power returns from a long break with an exceptional record over the course and distance. The problem is the pace scenario which will make it difficult when first up in this grade.
Tornado Twist will be outrun during the early stages and will need to do his running from far back. He is second up after a good effort four weeks ago and will be flashing home late. He looks a win and place chance and so does Yee Cheong Baby, who ran wide off the final bend here on his latest start and remains open to improvement.
Speedy King took advantage when Yee Cheong Baby ran wide and is a place chance again along with the lightly-raced Cue The Music.
The Class 3 Australian Turf Club Trophy in Race 6 is our feature over 1200m and, with a light weight and blinkers for the first time, Beauty Spark may well go forward from stall 3.
He is open to do better after winning both his starts in Australia from the front and Perfect Glory and Hardly Swears are also worth a positive mention.
Hardly Swears could become the first Hong Kong horse to win three times this season if he can follow up his latest course and distance success. He is a place chance on his Class 3 debut, while Perfect Glory looks a win and place chance from the inside gate with Purton back aboard after shaping well several times in Class 2 company this season.
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