Golden Sixty’s imminent return to racing at Sha Tin on Bank Of China (Hong Kong) Race Day on Sunday serves as a timely reminder that Hong Kong racing is rapidly approaching its flagship event, LONGINES Hong Kong International Raceday.
The appearance of Hong Kong’s champion galloper in the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (1600m) sheets home the reality that HKIR is just 25 days away – and this Sunday’s meeting is a key dress rehearsal for a host of HKIR contenders.
Of the 24 horses entered in Sunday’s three G2 features, 23 hold entries for the HK$100 million G1 crowns on 12 December.
With history beckoning and Silent Witness’ 17-race winning streak in sight, Golden Sixty returns in search of a 15th successive victory when he makes his seasonal return over 1600m on Sunday. Francis Lui’s charge has been in sparkling form in three winning trials, fuelling Vincent Ho’s confidence a successful defence of the HK$26 million LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) is a distinct possibility.
The presence of Golden Sixty’s fellow BMW Hong Kong Derby victor Sky Darci and evergreen G1 performers Southern Legend and Waikuku in Sunday’s assignment will provide an accurate gauge of the champion’s form.
As much as the focus of Sunday’s programme will centre on Golden Sixty, the BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) shapes as an intriguing showdown between our established and ascendant speed horses.
With all of the 10 horses entered for Sunday also nominated for the HK$24 million LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), there is much to play for as G1 performers Hot King Prawn and Wellington square off against Courier Wonder, Stronger, Sky Field and Naboo Attack.
The BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2000m) serves a defining race for several runners with Panfield, Reliable Team and Russian Emperor holding entries in both the HK$30 million LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and HK$20 million Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
Columbus County and Glorious Dragon are also being steered towards HKIR, all of which makes Sunday even more compelling.
As anticipation builds, we are excited at the prospect of again hosting some of the world’s finest horses and jockeys to Sha Tin on 12 December under the special quarantine measures announced at the weekend.
More immediately, Hong Kong racing continues apace at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, when the Class 2 Japan Racing Association Trophy will be run over 1650 metres as the seventh of nine races and features seven horses which finished in the top three in their last start. Solar Wai Wai is a four-time winner over the course and distance and will go forward to make the running with Matthew Poon.
Bear Again will use his speed from an outside draw under Luke Ferraris with Telecom Fighters and Zac Purton also in close contention. Chancheng Prince will use his inside draw and good recent form to bid for a box seat run with Ruan Maia. The pace will be good.
Savaquin comes off a sharp effort over nine furlongs two weeks ago and is a horse that performs at his best at Happy Valley. He will do his running from worse than midfield and seems primed for a top effort with Chad Schofield taking the ride. I make him a win and place chance in a very competitive race.
Joao Moreira will ride The Rock from a wide draw and he is a place chance after a good showing on the dirt track at Sha Tin three weeks ago. He has shown good form at Happy Valley in the past and should finish the race off well. Moreira will need to avoid being trapped wide without cover from a challenging draw on the C course.
Beluga is an interesting runner in the race as he makes his first start at Happy Valley. He raced wide and without cover in an excellent effort in a first-up run last month at Sha Tin and is a main contender in this race as he steps up in class. Matthew Chadwick has the ride and Beluga will get every chance from midfield. He has won in his second-up run in each of his previous two seasons which bodes well for him here. He has trialled well at Happy Valley in the past and is a strong place chance.
Sunny Star is consistent over the course and distance, and is a place chance with Alexis Badel. He will do his running from the back and is eligible for a High Achievement Bonus along with Chancheng Prince.
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