With the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) now rapidly approaching, I am pleased with the entry for our flagship meeting at Sha Tin on Sunday, 13 December.
With 36 individual Group 1 winners featured among the 142 horses entered, LONGINES HKIR will again present international racing at its finest across the HK$40 million LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$36 million LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$28 million LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$26 million LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
While the final selection for the four glittering features is yet to be made, the Club is highly appreciative of the support of international and local owners, trainers and jockeys, whose participation is vital to the success of this world-class meeting.
I am particularly excited at the prospect of watching KA YING RISING – the world’s highest-rated horse – attempt to become the first horse to win three LONGINES Hong Kong Sprints in a row, along with the opportunity to see exceptional international gallopers including BENVENUTO CELLINI, DIAMOND NECKLACE, MASQUERADE BALL, GIAVELLOTTO, ALMAQAM, SIR DELIUS, PURO MAGIC, DOCKLANDS and EMBROIDERY in action.
As a group, they have combined to win some of the most famous races in the world from Royal Ascot, the Breeders’ Cup and The Everest, to name just a few, and they will compete against high-class local horses, who are always competitive on their home ground.
LONGINES HKIR is not only one of the most important race meetings on the global calendar, but it is also one of Hong Kong, China’s premier sporting assets with its capacity to drive tourism by attracting the best horses, jockeys and trainers from around the globe to vie with Hong Kong’s elite at one of the best racecourses in the world.
The G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) lived up to its billing at Flemington racecourse on Tuesday (3 November) and I congratulate POINT OF LAW’S connections, including the trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Ethan Brown for their victory.
Ciaron became the first trainer in 166 runnings of the Melbourne Cup to saddle the first three horses across the line – POINT OF LAW, ZAHRANN and JUJA KIBO, as well as ROYAL SUPREMACY and SHOCKLETZ, who were fifth and sixth, respectively.
Ciaron’s effort to qualify seven runners for the “Race that stops the nation” was incredible and there is no doubt that POINT OF LAW, a son of FRANKEL out a DEEP IMPACT mare PORTFOLIO, is an exceptional talent.
Ethan demonstrated his quality while in Hong Kong last season and Ciaron has remarked that Ethan returned to Australia as a better rider following his stint here, which produced nine wins and 16 minor placings from 131 rides.
Ethan’s poised ride ensured POINT OF LAW not only successfully stayed 3200m in a high-pressure race, but also allowed the colt to conserve energy before unleashing a devastating sprint, with a final 200m sectional of 11.52s, which was the fastest of the meeting.
Hong Kong’s world-class racing continues at Happy Valley tonight (Wednesday, 4 November) with the Happy Wednesday launch of our Music & Dine Festival, which will take place for the first time at our iconic Beer Garden.
Inspired by Hong Kong’s renowned Wine & Dine celebrations, the festival transforms Happy Valley’s beer garden into an energetic mix of live music, international food and beverages.
Natalia D will lead the musical entertainment, while guests will have the opportunity to win prizes throughout the Music & Dine Festival, which will continue throughout November.
The competitive highlight at Happy Valley tonight is the Class 3 Jaffe Handicap, which is carded as Race 7 and will be run over 1650m at 9.45pm with prizemoney of HK$2,050,000.
The pace will be good with DO YOUR PART likely to lead from gate two and STORMI will settle close to the front from barrier seven, with SOLID WIN from gate five.
FLOW WATER FLOW is having his third run this season here and should be ready to produce his best form. He was a close fourth resuming over 1400m on 13 September, when he didn’t have a lot of room late. Last start he stepped out to 1800m and didn’t finish off after a reasonably tough run finishing sixth to BIG RETURN. FLOW WATER FLOW has raced twice at Happy Valley, finishing second on both occasions at the start of his career and he is a win and place chance for Zac Purton.
RISING PHOENIX finished off last season with a fighting victory on 12 July over 1400m at Sha Tin. He showed sharp improvement racing second-up on 7 October when he settled midfield and ran home strongly to be narrowly beaten by AUDACIOUS PURSUIT over this class and distance. Britney Wong takes the ride again and, despite having an awkward draw in gate ten, RISING PHOENIX is a place chance.
DO YOUR PART has been placed at this course and distance and was sixth when resuming behind FORTUNATE SON on 9 September. At his latest run, he was seventh to CELESTIAL HERO over 1400m at Sha Tin on 11 October. Jerry Chau takes the ride here and, from a perfect draw in gate two, DO YOUR PART is a place chance.
SOLID WIN returned to winning form last start when he settled just behind the leading pair and fought hard to the line to narrowly beat RIDING TOGETHER and POPE CODY in a driving finish on 21 October. SOLID WIN is a three-time winner at the course and distance and is a place chance for James Orman, who rode him to victory last start.
The Melbourne Cup carnival continues at Flemington with VRC Oaks Day on Thursday (5 November) with the first of nine races from 10am.
The G1 VRC Oaks is carded as S1-8 and will be run over 2500m at 2.10pm.
PROXIMA DEA, a filly by TARZINO, is unbeaten with five wins from five starts and dominated the colts last start to win the G1 Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m at Randwick. She has drawn barrier 19 in the VRC Oaks but, provided jockey Zac Lloyd can find early cover, she is a win and place chance.
DE ARMAS, who is by ARDROSSAN, impressed with victory in the G2 Hong Kong Jockey Club Wakeful Stakes over 2000m at Flemington on 31 October and gives the impression she will handle the extra 500m. She will start from barrier one and is also a win and place chance for James McDonald.
Ethan Brown and Ciaron Maher combine with MAURICE filly ICELADY, who ran third in the G1 Victoria Derby (2500m) on 31 October, and she is also a strong chance in an open race. Others with claims include QUICK FINISH (Jye McNeil), CHURCHILL ROSE (Craig Williams) and THARWA (Damian Lane).
Source: HKJC