And so we come to a special time in the Hong Kong racing calendar, highlighted by Boxing Day at Happy Valley, but the international racing circuit never stops and Japan was in the spotlight again with a memorable renewal of the Arima Kinen.
It seems fair to draw several conclusions from Sunday’s big race at Nakayama. First, Almond Eye’s poor effort suggests it was a blessing in disguise that she did not run in the Hong Kong Cup. That was clearly not her best so let’s hope that she bounces back in 2020.
Second, it’s clear that even a peak-form Almond Eye would have struggled to beat Lys Gracieux, who has been exceptional since her two fine placed efforts in Hong Kong and headed into retirement in a blaze of glory with a runaway success over a field packed with G1 winners.
And third, the way Lys Gracieux’s rider Damian Lane has blossomed is interesting. Damian didn’t find it easy when he came to test himself against Hong Kong’s world-class riders but the experience clearly helped and he will remember 2019 as the best year of his career so far.
Back on the Hong Kong beat, one of the great party nights of the year at the Valley lies in store this Thursday and everyone will have their own personal highlight from another memorable year at this amazing racecourse.
Perhaps it was Simply Brilliant winning a dramatic January Cup then parting company with Alexis Badel just yards after the line or Douglas Whyte’s emotional last night in the saddle at the Valley a couple of weeks later.
John Size certainly enjoyed a good year in the city, landing the Million Challenge with the prolific winner Country Star and saddling a crucial double at July’s Season Finale which went a long way towards keeping John Moore at bay in a thrilling battle for the trainers’ championship.
Welcoming special guests to the Valley is one of the great pleasures of working with the Jockey Club and we have met some fascinating people this year including Donnie Yen, Aaron Kwok and Benny Andersson from Abba.
And then of course we enjoyed a memorable LONGINES IJC night earlier this month, with Karis Teetan sealing victory over a superstar field in the final strides of the very last race.
It’s hard to believe that the Valley year has gone by so swiftly but time always moves fast when you are engaged in positive things and, in that spirit, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation to everyone involved in Hong Kong racing.
That starts with all our owners, trainers and jockeys, especially the riders who will be watching what they eat much more than most of us over the next few days.
But it also includes thousands of Jockey Club staff who will be working hard to ensure the show goes on at its usual high standard and all the people who support racing either from home or at the racetrack. I look forward to seeing many of you over the next few days and wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
Thursday’s Class 2 Chai Wan Kok Handicap is the eighth race of the night and features a number of horses that aspire for a berth in the 2020 BMW Hong Kong Derby.
The pace will be moderate over the 1650 metre distance with The Hulk, Band Of Brothers, Happy Dragon and Hezthewonforus expected to go forward.
Band Of Brothers is an interesting runner as he returns to Happy Valley after a series of good races at Sha Tin. He is well drawn and in with a light weight after a sharp effort at Sha Tin last month. He will be on the pace and should get every chance as he steps up in grade and I make him a place chance.
The Hulk ran exceptionally well in his first try at Happy Valley in the final leg of the International Jockeys’ Championship earlier this month. He will need to use his speed to get a positon just outside of the leader and is a win and place chance in his current form.
Graceandmercy has yet to show his ability in three races at Sha Tin and now switches to Happy Valley. He is a likely improver as his recent trials show that he may be ready to turn the corner. He is a place chance along with Hezthewonforus.
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