The last laps of the 2019/20 season are approaching with just eight meetings left and there is so much to play for on various fronts.
An ongoing battle for the jockeys’ title resumes at Sha Tin on Sunday – with Zac Purton still three ahead of Joao Moreira – but Karis Teetan has been the rider to follow in recent weeks and his impressive four timer on Chairmen’s Day last Sunday was another notable milestone in a fine season which has also included a second Group 1 win on Mr Stunning and a memorable first LONGINES IJC success.
The race for the trainers’ championship is still wide open with Tony Cruz and Francis Lui moving to within four winners of Ricky Yiu last weekend and it is a pleasure to report that many of most valued fans and followers will be able to engage with the sport in their preferred manner again next week once the vast majority of our Off-Course Betting Branches re-open for business.
Public health concerns have made it impossible to open OCBB’s for the last few months but, taking note of recent improvements in the COVID situation, the Club has decided to re-open OCBB’s on non-racedays between noon and 9pm from Monday until the end of the racing season. Betting services for races and customer services will both be available but football betting will not be available and Mark Six remains suspended.
Continued vigilance on the public health front remains essential and a range of special measures – including temperature screening, medical masks and social distancing – will be mandatory for all visitors just as they have been on our racecourses since January.
Customers will be required to leave each OCBB after the completion of service but Monday marks a significant milestone in our carefully phased return to normality. Many OCBB regulars have been able to engage with racing by migrating online but for many customers – especially the older generation – being able to visit an OCBB fulfils a very important social function. Our valued staff will be looking forward to welcoming clients old and new from Monday and we will continue to monitor the situation closely with a view to taking further steps forward in the coming weeks.
Clients old and new has also been a key theme in the second World Pool from Royal Ascot this week. British racing suffered a major blow when the sport had to shut down between late March and the end of May but the hard work that went into getting the sport up and running again has paid off with some exceptional sport, highlighted by Thursday’s third consecutive Gold Cup success for Stradivarius and Frankie Dettori.
We have always believed there is huge potential for wagering into deep pools on top-class racing. This week has fully confirmed that view, with total World Pool turnover likely to approach HK$1.5 billion by the end of day five.
The foundations are now firmly in place for this exciting young project to thrive as it is rolled out to a range of our major simulcast events throughout the year but first we have a fantastic final day to look forward to, with two Group 2 contests for two-year-olds, two Group 1 contests for three-year-olds and, last but not least, the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs for four-year-olds and upwards.
Ten face the starter for the Diamond Jubilee (S1-6) and Sceptical, Hello Youmzain and One Master look the most interesting runners. Sceptical slipped through the Godolphin net for just 2,800 guineas last year and has quickly progressed into Ireland’s best sprinter. Hello Youmzain is a proven Group 1 performer with good course form, while One Master has thrived since finishing behind Beauty Generation in the 2018 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile and is very well suited by Ascot’s demanding six furlongs with plenty of give in the ground.
A pair of Group 3 handicaps highlight the Father’s Day race meeting with last-start winners Thanks Forever and Perfect Match heading the Premier Cup over 1400m and in-form Southern Legend and last season’s Derby winner Furore at the top of the list in the 1800m Premier Plate. The Cup is race three and the Plate is race eight.
Perfect Match is a course and distance specialist with six wins from eight starts over the trip and will be in complete control of the pace in the Premier Cup. He gets in with a light weight and has the services of Teetan in his second-up run after a two month break. He is a win and place chance to lead throughout.
Thanks Forever must concede 20 pounds to Perfect Match after a hard-fought win over Hot King Prawn in the Group 3 Sha Tin Vase in his last start. He comes into the race in career best form but has done his best work over 1200m and is vulnerable due to the weight, distance and pace. His class makes him a place chance along with Jolly Banner, who fought on courageously despite a difficult run in his last start.
Teetan has another strong chance on Furore in the Premier Plate as he cuts back in distance to 1800m. Furore has yet to win in ten starts since winning the 2019 Derby but has run extremely well recently behind Exultant in top class races and is poised for a big run here. He will be midfield behind a modest tempo and is a win and place chance.
Southern Legend won the Group 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse earlier this season in his only try over the course and distance, and has hit top form over the past two months including a win over Beauty Generation in the Group 1 Champions Mile. He is a place chance carrying top weight along with Preciousship and Helene Leadingstar.
Comment
