The month of May seems to have come and gone in the blink of an eye and the main change has been the ongoing success of Hong Kong’s coronavirus measures.
Restrictions across society are gradually being relaxed – and the Club will respond further to assist as many fans as possible at the appropriate time – but in the meantime some major stories are taking a very interesting turn.
Zac Purton took advantage of Joao Moreira being suspended at Sha Tin on Wednesday, riding a treble to go three ahead in the jockeys’ championship. The first two legs were straightforward front-running wins, while the third was a masterclass in how to overcome a wide draw over 1650m as Zac produced Enfolding with a thrilling late charge.
Joao returns with a full book of 11 rides on Sunday but Zac has outscored him by 20 winners to 14 in May. It will be fascinating to see if that trend continues into June and Wednesday’s events suggest we could also be in for a dramatic late twist in the trainers’ championship.
Tony Cruz, having gone well over a year without a dirt winner, saddled three in a row and now lies level with Francis Lui on 51, just six behind Ricky Yiu at the top of the table and with real momentum behind him.
It’s strange how good things often come along all at once after a quiet period and that certainly applies to our simulcast programme, with a string of major global events scheduled over the next five weeks.
The unbeaten Contrail goes head to head with old rival Salios in a very strong Japanese Derby on Sunday, while Monday night sees the French 1000 and 2000 Guineas as the twin highlights of a card rerouted from Longchamp to Deauville.
Classic action switches to the UK on 6 June, with Europe’s champion juvenile Pinatubo reappearing in the 2000 Guineas, and from 16 June to 20 June we have five days from Royal Ascot featuring Europe’s best horses and the second year with Hong Kong as the hub of the World Pool.
Add in the Takarazuka Kinen from Japan on 28 June, it is clear that the international racing circuit is rolling again. The action will take place behind closed doors, of course, but Hong Kong has helped pave the way in that regard and the return of top-class global action is something to celebrate as an exciting summer season approaches.
Sunday’s G3 Lion Rock Trophy is run over a mile under handicap conditions with Southern Legend as the class of the race after two recent solid efforts at Group level, including a last-start win over Beauty Generation in the G1 FWD Champions Mile.
Southern Legend will try to occupy the one-off, one-back position behind Ka Ying Star, Time To Celebrate and General’s Delight in what shapes up as a moderate pace. Jockey Neil Callan has a decision to make with Rattan of whether to push forward from an outside draw or to take back.
Beauty Legacy, second last year in the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington over this trip, has been a project for John Size and Joao Moreira. His racing manners can make things difficult as he tends to pull then find trouble. This time, however, he is well drawn, in his toughest assignment since arriving in Hong Kong. In his most recent start, he was badly held up in the straight and closed off well once clear. He gets in with a light weight and should get every opportunity from midfield as a win and place chance.
Southern Legend concedes a lot of weight due to his high rating but enters the race in outstanding form. April and May is his time of year. He won the 2018 and 2019 Kranji Mile in Singapore during May and took it to a new level with last month’s G1 win at Sha Tin. Southern Legend can handle a rain affected track, winning the 2018 Kranji Mile on a yielding course. He will be in the mix from the start and is a place chance.
Harmony Victory will come from the back with big closing sectionals and is a place chance along with Rattan. It will also be interesting to see the performance of lightly-raced General’s Delight, 17 pounds out of the handicap but in good form with Karis Teetan taking the ride.
Fifteen years have passed since the great Deep Impact won the Japanese Derby and his son Contrail is the star attraction for this year’s renewal, which will be screened after race five on Sunday’s Sha Tin card.
Eighteen face the starter for the world’s richest Derby and they include Salios, an impressive G1 winner under Ryan Moore last December who now has the assistance of Damian Lane after a fine second in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) over 2000m at Nakayama last month.
He looks sure to go well again but Contrail looked an exceptional prospect in winning that day, circling the entire field five wide off the home turn and getting on top close home as the first two drew well clear. Contrail looks sure to be suited by the step up to 2400m and is the most likely winner again as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record.
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