Planning for the future is key among our core values and the Club Licensing committee’s decision to announce Jamie Richards as a new trainer for the start of the 2022/2023 season is an example of our approach.
With 50 Group 1 winners and a string of records to his credit, Jamie has quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic and successful young trainers to emerge from New Zealand in decades.
He trained an unprecedented 160 winners in 2020/2021 and has repeatedly been successful in both New Zealand and Australia at the highest level. Of the 21 Group 1s in New Zealand last season, Jamie’s stable won 13 of them, adding a further 23 black type wins for good measure.
At 32, Jamie exudes tremendous energy, skill and ambition, all of which makes him a welcome addition to Hong Kong’s training ranks. Jamie is stepping into one of the most fiercely competitive environments in world racing, but I’m sure he will be a great asset to our world-class roster.
I am also delighted that Tony Cruz has been licensed to extend his training career in Hong Kong, which provides certainty over his availability to owners going forward into the 2022/2023 season and hopefully beyond. Tony is a remarkable figure in this city, having been part of the original intake at the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys’ School in 1972 before advancing to championships as an apprentice, senior jockey and trainer.
In his 25 years of training so far, Tony has been in the top five on no less than 24 occasions, winning the championship in 2000 and 2005. Apart from being a world-class rider, Tony is also synonymous as a trainer with some of Hong Kong’s greatest champions, notably Silent Witness, Exultant and California Memory.
More than a quarter of the way through this season, Tony sits third in the trainers’ championship with 20 winners, trailing only Frankie Lor (27) and John Size (25), testimony to his enduring talents.
Almost a week has passed since LONGINES Hong Kong International Raceday and, both at home and abroad, the benefits continue to flow.
The presence of some of Japan’s finest gallopers at Sha Tin, notably Loves Only You and Glory Vase, along with British flagbearers Pyledriver and Dubai Honour, France’s Ebaiyra and Ireland’s Mother Earth, Mogul and Bolshoi Ballet ensured strong interest around the world.
This focus manifested itself in several ways, but we are gratified at the immense reportage of HKIR in many different parts of the globe and, as I reflect on last Sunday’s events, the sight of Golden Sixty sweeping away to victory in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile remains the most vivid.
Golden Sixty’s status as a bona fide international star was confirmed with his devastating win and it leaves him at 131lb, six lb ahead of Waikuku (125), at the top of the Hong Kong ratings list.
As imposing as Golden Sixty is and, indeed, we are very fortunate to be in a position to have a front-row seat as Francis Lui’s charge continues his spellbinding journey, HKIR saw several other Hong Kong horses to enhance their reputations at international level.
Russian Emperor rose 10 points in the ratings to 115 with is fine third to Loves Only You in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), while Courier Wonder’s first attempt at G1 competition saw him rise six points to 116 with his third in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).
Sprint winner Sky Field improved from 119 to 121, while More Than This climbed a point back to 122 with his second to Golden Sixty in the Mile as Tourbillon Diamond achieved a new career-peak at 113 with his fifth behind Loves Only You in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2400m).
At Sha Tin on Saturday, the Lukfook Jewellery Cup is a Class 2 handicap featured as the eighth of ten races on our programme with two horses standing out as top chances in a field of 14 runners over 1400 metres.
The pace is expected to be good to slow and Decrypt from his low draw can go forward for Ruan Maia and lead. Highland Fortune can join the lead under Karis Teetan from barrier four. Hinchinlove could be caught wide initially from his wide draw and he might try to press on to the lead for Dylan Mo. Seattle Choice and Antoine Hamelin might follow Hinchinlove, while Mister Snowdon for Vagner Borges and Ima Single Man under Matthew Poon are drawn to race just off the speed.
Blaze Warrior has won four of five races in his brief career and comes off a smart win in the class, course and distance three weeks ago. Regular rider Joao Moreira will produce Blaze Warrior from just worse than midfield and is a win and place chance.
Highland Fortune was taken back in the Class 1 Panasonic Cup over the course and distance five weeks ago and turned in a solid effort despite his jockey dropping the whip nearing the 100-metre mark. He will be close to the pace and is a strong place chance with Karis Teetan taking the return engagement.
Not Usual Talent showed notable improvement in his last run and drops back in trip but appears to be rounding into top form. He will go back in the run with Derek Leung from his wide gate and will be running on late as a place chance.
After drawing a wide barrier in each of his last two starts, Ima Single Man will have an easier time of it from gate two with Matthew Poon as a place chance. He will be inside midfield and should have every chance.
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