Even by the standards of the past two years, last Wednesday’s Happy Valley meeting was a surreal experience.
Hong Kong’s iconic race track is synonymous with Happy Wednesday, enthusiastic crowds and world-class competition. In full cry, the city circuit is vibrant and full of energy. Yet last Wednesday, with attendance limited to essential participants and officials, the famous old course lay virtually silent.
The subdued on-course atmosphere was entirely predictable in the circumstances. Our customers are among the most passionate in the world but these are challenging times and the Club, in alignment with Government policy, acted swiftly in the face of the recent escalation in concerns over the Omicron variant.
We will continue to operate under a closed-door mode at Sha Tin on Sunday and next Wednesday, meaning only staff members, Club officials, licensed personnel and those persons whose roles are essential to the conduct of races will be in attendance.
In light of the Government’s announcement on 14 January to extend the social distancing measures for another 14 days from 21 January until 3 February, we are obliged to extend the closed-door arrangement for race meetings during this period and therefore we cannot welcome our customers to the Chinese New Year race meeting on Thursday 3 February.
We would like to seek the understanding of our owners, members and other customers who have been supporting with racing with loyalty and passion.
The continuation of horse racing is vital on many fronts, especially now that it is one of the few distractions for millions of fans across Hong Kong.
I always look forward to January with the start of our Four-Year-Old Classic Series, being the Hong Kong Classic Mile on 30 January, the Hong Kong Classic Cup over 1800m on 27 February and last, but not least, the BMW Hong Kong Derby over 2000m on 20 March.
Sunday’s programme at Sha Tin has some of the promising four-year-olds showcasing their potential. While horses like Captain Win, Rise Brethren and Helene North Star who will run in Race 8 over 1600m look more likely for the Hong Kong Classic Cup, Race 10 – which is run as a Class 3 over 1400m – features Lucky With You, Romanic Warrior, All Beauty and Solid Impact, who will try to make their claim to be considered in the selection for the Classic Mile.
The pace will be good and Lucky With You, who is a three-time winner over 1200m and will be ridden by Karis Teetan, should lead and get the rail in his first attempt over 1400m. Perfect Pair with Harry Bentley should get the perfect one off position while International Sales Graduate Romantic Warrior, under Joao Moreira, should get the perfect run behind the leaders. Solid Impact from gate 10 with Zac Purton will try to find cover but could be trapped wide and All Beauty with Vincent Ho will come from the back.
Romantic Warrior is in outstanding form being unbeaten in three starts and his last win in Sha Tin over 1200m shows he is in my view even better and was very convincing. He is working very well and should appreciate the step up to 1400m and is my first choice for a win and place.
Lucky With You steps up to 1400m, too, and should from his pedigree have no issue. He was very convincing beating Gallant Express twice and is the main danger for Romantic Warrior. All Beauty, Perfect Pair and Solid Impact are place chances.
Another highlight on Sunday is the Class 2 Chak On Handicap over 1200m which is run as Race 9. It features a clash of exciting four-year-olds California Spangle and Fantastic Way clashing with proven older Class 2 Sprinters.
California Spangle will make the running in the feature event with Zac Purton. He is not the sharpest horse from the barrier but once he finds his feet, he has genuine speed to be right on the pace. Metro Warrior will apply pace pressure under the light weight of Vagner Borges as he steps up in trip and the same can be said for Valiant Dream with Matthew Poon. The pace will be good.
California Spangle looks like a classy type and has the credentials to win again. The lone blemish on his five-race record as a close second in his seasonal debut when drawn wide. He is a win and place chance.
Fantastic Way will have to do it tough from his wide draw on the C+3 track with regular rider Joao Moreira. He has been very consistent and has demonstrated the versatility required to overcome difficult draws. Moreira will need to go back to midfield or worse and will be closing the race off strongly as a place chance.
Winning Dreamer has been freshened up after being compromised by substantial blood in the trachea in his last start. He has been facing top class opposition this season and is capable of an improved run. He will get a good run from his inside draw behind the leaders and is a place chance with Vincent Ho. Igniting comes out of a fast race at Happy Valley and is also a place chance in his current form. Alfred Chan will need to work out a trip from a tricky gate in what shapes up as a competitive race.
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