These are relatively early days yet in the Hong Kong season, but a number of clear trends have already emerged.
One of the most interesting aspects surrounds the continuously significant impact Privately Purchased Griffins are having on Hong Kong racing, with 64 of 122 races decided so far this term being claimed by PPGs – with 57 individual winners among that tally.
Five of the 10 races on Sunday featured victories by PPGs – Super Fortune, Good Buddy, So Awesome, Copartner Ambition and the ascendant Master Eight, who stretched his unbeaten record to three with another impressive display of speed for Frankie Lor and Joao Moreira.
PPGs comprise the majority of Hong Kong’s horse population at close to 60 percent and it is apparent with the stunning efforts last season of Courier Wonder and Fantastic Treasure that there can be tremendous benefits to the sourcing of previously unraced stock to compete here.
Courier Wonder was recognised as last season’s Most Improved Horse after posting five wins from five starts, rising from a rating of 52 to his current mark of 107, G3 success and seasonal earnings of HK$7 million.
Similarly, Fantastic Treasure was named Champion Griffin after also remaining unbeaten after five starts while rising to a rating of 94, earning HK$5.1 million along the way.
While both horses were beaten in first-up runs this season, there was nothing to suggest from luckless performances that either had regressed in the off-season and with the LONGINES Hong Kong International Raceday looming, both horses are likely to figure in December’s showpiece.
Private Purchase (PP) gallopers – horses who have raced before export to Hong Kong, and often with great success – have also hit the mark consistently this season with 44 individual winners of 47 races.
The reduction in the allocated import rating this season for PPs has helped them to be more competitive in their first starts in Hong Kong, which is important because of the need to keep a healthy balance between PPs and PPGs since the majority of horses in Class 2 and above come from PPs.
Hong Kong International Sale Graduates have figured, too, snaring 11 wins so far, with Danny Shum’s Romantic Warrior an eye-catching debut winner at Happy Valley this month.
Joao Moreira was aboard Master Eight at the weekend and the Brazilian was clearly taken with the chestnut’s performance as he returned to top form with a treble, in the process cutting Zac Purton’s lead in the jockeys’ championship to nine, as Vincent Ho chimed in with a brace.
It is far too early to draw meaningful conclusions in the contest for the trainers’ title with David Hayes leading the pack, while three trainers – Frankie Lor, Tony Cruz and Francis Lui – enjoyed doubles last Sunday.
At Sha Tin tonight, the Class 2 Hebe Hill Handicap is the second race of the evening and will be run over 1650 metres on the All-Weather track with a select field of eight. The extended Class 2 rating band of 105-80 makes Hongkong Great and Wishful Thinker eligible for the race.
The pace will be good with three of the horses that prefer to make the running. Telecom Fighters is making his dirt racing debut and has led throughout in each of his four wins over 1650 metres at Happy Valley. He will be ridden by Matthew Chadwick.
Kings Shield has led throughout in each of his three wins, all over the track and distance. It has been nearly a year since Kings Shield has won but a barrier trial win two weeks ago showed signs of improvement. Derek Leung has the return engagement.
The favourite will be track record holder Hongkong Great, a front-running winner in three of four starts over the track and distance. He is second up and is stepping up in trip to his preferred distance. There were some lameness issues after his last start and he was given four days off and has been working well since. Zac Purton gets the ride and has a perfect record on Hongkong Great in two prior outings.
Hongkong Great will make the running with Telecom Fighters and Kings Shield in close contention. It appears the pace will be contested and that can make it difficult on all three runners.
Hongkong Great is my win and place choice because he is working very well and is running over his ideal distance. Additionally, the track condition will be more suitable for him because it will be good and not wet-slow. Zac is in super form and it is significant that he has chosen to ride Hongkong Great.
The Rock is my second choice with Vincent Ho riding. He impressed in his only try over the track and distance when placed last season and will do his running from midfield. He has benefited from a month in Conghua, he is well placed here and I expect an improved performance.
Telecom Fighters is in good form but something of a mystery on dirt. However, I prefer him over other horses with All Weather Track form and he is also a place chance.
Kings Shield has also spent time at Conghua since his last start and it should be noted that his trainer Frankie Lor has already registered seven wins off that angle this season and had 26 wins from Conghua last season.
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