There is nothing like a flying visit to the Japan Cup to whet the appetite for Hong Kong’s biggest meeting and last weekend’s trip to Tokyo did just that.
The race itself was unusual, with no international challengers for the first time, but the atmosphere from a crowd of over 80,000 was as intense as ever and that sort of fan engagement is something that racing clubs the world over would love to replicate.
It came as no surprise to hear so many familiar faces keen to talk about the fact that connections of last year’s Japan Cup heroine Almond Eye have decided to visit us for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup this year and there is no question that the interest from Japan next week will be at an all-time high as a result.
Interest from Europe will also be as strong as ever, not least because we will have four British champion jockeys, namely Frankie Dettori, Ryan Moore, Silvestre de Sousa and Oisin Murphy, riding in next week’s LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship.
I’m sure a couple of spells in Hong Kong in recent years have helped Oisin mature considerably. Having secured his first British title last month he followed up by winning the Japan Cup aboard Suave Richard on Sunday, while Frankie was also among the winners in Japan over the weekend and will be riding in Hong Kong for the first time in eight years next week.
His presence will add hugely to what promises to be a memorable night at Happy Valley next week, but the home team is also very strong and Vincent Ho continued his fine form by completing a treble at Sha Tin aboard the ever-improving Golden Sixty.
The arrival of the first international contenders at Sha Tin is always a sign that the big week is getting close and the Vase contenders Prince Of Arran and True Self were the first pair on the grounds after flying in from Australia late on Monday night.
A host of stars will follow in their footsteps as the week goes on but we also have the last of our Japanese-themed nights at the Valley this Wednesday, where the feature is the Class 3 St Andrew’s Challenge Quaich Handicap (Race 6) over 1000m.
A good pace is expected with Beauty Charisma, Gentle Breeze and Hard Promise likely to push forward from their outside barriers along with Dragon Pioneer, Baltic Whisper, Jumbo Prize and Very Rich Man.
Jumbo Prize returns to Happy Valley after some promising races at Sha Tin, including a solid effort from a wide draw in his first try over 1000m earlier this month. He should get a good run from about midfield and is a win and place chance from an inside barrier this time.
Gentle Breeze jumped 12 points in the ratings after his convincing win in this same class and distance three weeks ago and now faces a tougher task carrying top weight with a wide draw. He looks like a much improved horse and his tactical speed should be an advantage in jockey Matthew Chadwick securing an early position behind the early leaders. He is a place chance.
Special Stars is drawn inside this time and is likely to improve with a much better trip. He just missed in this grade from the inside gate against the unbeaten Snap Fit two starts back and should get a similar trip here. He is a place chance along with Baltic Whisper.
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