The thrill of being part of a huge event like the LONGINES HKIR never pales and this year has been no exception.
Of course, the build-up this year has been very different to previous years. For sure we have encountered significant challenges along the way, but the Club’s collective determination to show Hong Kong’s sporting face to the world has been constant.
The stage is set for a terrific day’s racing at Sha Tin on Sunday but, before we touch on the potential highlights, it’s well worth reflecting on another memorable IJC night at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
Karis Teetan was a worthy winner, edging out Ryan Moore in the final leg. His all-action style and positive outlook are real assets to our sport but it’s also well worth mentioning Vincent Ho and Colin Keane, who recorded IJC victories for the second year running and have so much promise for the future.
But now the spotlight switches to Sha Tin on Sunday for a day when a series of compelling questions will be answered in four G1 contests.
Can Exultant get the ball rolling in the Vase, just as he did when laying the foundations for a historic Hong Kong clean sweep by beating a very strong Vase field last year?
Is the hugely exciting three-year-old Aethero ready for the intensity of Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint competition just eight months and six runs after he made his racecourse debut?
Can Win Bright fly the Japanese flag in the Hong Kong Cup just as he did when smashing Sha Tin’s 2000m track record in the QEII Cup back in April?
And can Beauty Generation do what Good Ba Ba did and bounce back from setbacks to land a historic third consecutive success in the Hong Kong Mile?
History tells us that we can expect drama from start to finish on a day when the stars of world racing gather for the final major event of 2019.
It has been a long road to get here this year but we are almost there now. Our sincere thanks go out to all the owners, trainers, riders, staff and fans who have made this day possible. Your support has been invaluable and I wish you all a successful and enjoyable day.
The Vase is the first of the four Group 1 Internationals and this is a very competitive renewal with the pace, as usual, a bit slow to develop.
Defending champ Exultant has drawn the outside barrier and will roll forward to secure a forward position beside Southern Legend.
Stuck in the shadow of Beauty Generation, Exultant has won five of his last seven starts, including three at G1 level, and he is a win and place chance to repeat.
Anthony Van Dyck is the first English Derby winner to run in Hong Kong and will be suited by the going. Also drawn wide, it will need all the skills of Ryan Moore to get into a good position but he was third in the Breeders’ Cup Turf in his last start and his strong finish makes him a place chance with a strong finish along with Japan’s Lucky Lilac and Deirdre.
In the Sprint, Aethero gets in with 117lb as a three-year-old with a 9lb weight allowance but it is a huge task for one so young to be successful at G1 level against some of the best proven sprinters in the world. He is working extremely well, should be able to lead, and in my view has the class to win.
His strongest opponents are Beat The Clock and Hot King Prawn, who is working very well. Beat The Clock missed one of the lead-up races but his third to Aethero in the Jockey Club Sprint was encouraging. I see him as a place chance. Hot King Prawn will be perfectly positioned behind Aethero. I see him as Aethero’s most dangerous opponent and he is a win and place chance, too.
Turning to the Mile, Indy Champ has won five of his last six over this trip in Japan, including the Yasuda Kinen and the Mile Championship, which follows the script of past HKIR star Maurice.
However, Beauty Generation remains the horse to beat at equal weights despite not having been at his best in his last two races. He will get a great trip outside of Ka Ying Star for most of the race and help set a good pace. He is a win and place chance.
Ka Ying Star and Waikuku are both working very well. Waikuku will be ideally placed and is the biggest threat to Beauty Generation along with Indy Champ, while Ka Ying Star should not be underestimated as a place chance and Persian Knight will be flashing home late.
In the Cup, last year’s Hong Kong Derby winner Furore seems to be coming to form at the right time. He signalled his sharpness with a good effort over course and distance three weeks ago and will get a soft run from the inside draw. He is a win and place chance.
Win Bright won the FWD QEII Cup at long odds in April and has been no factor in two races since. He may, however, be a horse for the course and has looked good in his track work this week. He is a place chance along with Rise High and the little filly from France, Edisa. All three will do their running from the back.
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