A month has passed since the Club started to impose special measures to minimise the risk of coronavirus and, although we remain vigilant, we are also cautiously optimistic that some services can be restored in the coming weeks.
Moving on to Sunday’s racing at Sha Tin, it was a pleasure to see Vincent Ho and Golden Sixty add their names to an illustrious Classic Cup roll of honour and Francis Lui’s gelding is in pole position to complete a clean sweep of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series in next month’s BMW Hong Kong Derby.
Some of us wondered whether he would be at his absolute peak after a temperature on his first try over 1800m but Golden Sixty is becoming more professional with every run and yet again his ability to quicken at the key moment proved the crucial factor.
Time and again in winning nine of his ten starts, Golden Sixty has clocked striking closing splits and he did do again on Sunday, coming home faster than any horse on the card (22.38s) even though Vincent had to be patient before finding the gap to launch his winning challenge.
Champion’s Way stayed on gamely for second under Ryan Moore and John Size is sure to have him at his peak on Derby day, while Golden Sixty’s stablemate More Than This ran another solid race in third and may have headgear next time if Zac Purton’s advice is heeded.
Enjoying ran well enough in fourth to give John Moore hope of a seventh Derby success in his farewell season and so everything is falling into place for another memorable day at Sha Tin in just over three weeks’ time.
Midweek racing returns to Happy Valley on Wednesday for a nine-race card featuring two strong Class 1 contests and the climax of our popular DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, with three horses vying for the HK$650,000 first prize awarded to the one who collects most points in races of Class 3 and above.
Shining Ace tops the table with 53.5 points and can seal first prize in the finale, but Gentle Breeze and Flying Quest are on 45 points and 43 points respectively and either of those two could seal victory if they come out on top in the previous two races and other results go their way.
Wednesday’s seventh race is the Class 1 Blue Pool Handicap over 1200m with a select field of ten facing starter Tony Speechley. Amazing Star, Gentle Breeze and Gunnison will go forward to set a good pace.
Amazing Star is attempting a rare feat with three consecutive wins over course and distance this season, climbing the ladder successfully from Class 4 in November to Class 3 in December to Class 2 last month. Now he tries Class 1.
The rising star has won each of his three races making all the running and winning easily, improving his rating from 58 to 94 in the process. He will lead again under regular rider Zac Purton and looks like he can do it again. He is a win and place chance.
Fat Turtle must carry top weight of 133 pounds under Vincent and turns back in trip after a tough trip at Sha Tin last month. He is a very consistent sprinter and is well drawn to get a good run from better than midfield. He is a place chance.
Country Star is a five-time winner at Happy Valley and also landed last season’s Million Challenge. He showed vast improvement in his last race at Sha Tin and returns now to his preferred course. He will need to go back from his wide draw under Alexis Badel but will be closing off nicely along with Waldorf. Both are place chances.
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