Time for an update on my little journey to Hong Kong and as I have mentioned any times before, if you ever get the chance to visit (preferably for the racing), do make the effort, it is an experience not to be missed.
Racing here is looked on very differently by the public, perhaps largely down to the incredible charitable donations of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and in return the sport seems to have been taken to the peoples hearts – it is not seen as shady as those of a certain generation seem to still feel about it back home.
With a Tote style monopoly (no bookmakers), any information you could want to help you make your decision is there at your fingertips – from horse’s weights to gallop reports and split sections, live televised barrier trials (practice races for want of a better description), and trainer and jockey comments where they invariably shoot straight from the hip – honest and open, be that good or bad news.
That openness has fostered a feeling of trust from the betting public who generally enjoy two meetings a week, one at Happy Valley and the other at Sha Tin, with the reinvestment of jockey club profits helping to ensure decent prize money that keeps the owners happy and provides the competitive action that the punters lap up as evidenced by a full house at most meetings.
Sadly, most in the UK are almost unaware that racing exists overseas, and to be fair the lack of familiarity with horses trainers and jockeys may well have a lot to do with that, but the fact is that this weekend they hold three Group One contests - and at home we have a big fat zero.
Affordable racecourse entry and food and drink options for literally every pocket is no doubt another big draw for the crowd but on to the racing and we start with the six-furlong Chairman’s Sprint prize worth about £1.6 million in win and place prize money. We don’t have any runners (ask the owners because with that sort of money on offer and a good travel package, its beyond me), but the Australians have the likeliest winner in Santa Ana Lane who has already picked up five Group Ones. He works at 3.15am in the morning so I haven’t seen him in person (its dark for goodness sake), but trainer’s son Sam Freedman seems more than happy with his wellbeing and wasn’t even fazed with what is seen as a poor draw in stall ten of ten. With no obvious early pace in the field (we do wonder if Nac Venus may try to make all but that is a guess) he will be covered up regardless but will hopefully have too much of a finishing kick up the home straight.
The FWD Champions Mile looks a race to watch and hot to get in – even I cannot suggest a horse currently trading at 1/6 best price, but then again Beauty Generation is the highest rated horse still in training and he looked a beast on the track at work this morning. Looking to win this race for the second year and to smash the all-time earnings record, he cannot be either backed or opposed and I am just looking forward to seeing him in action.
Last but not least we have the FWD QEII Cup over 2000 Metres, and without a doubt the hardest race to even try to second guess. I am quite aware I learn something new every day but even I have been confused by the one British entry in Derby fourth Eminent who is in training with Sir Mark Todd, more famous for winning Olympic medals at eventing than training thoroughbreds. Apparently they rushed through a training licence so he could look after the one-time Martyn Meade trained son of Frankel who has a decent enough record as a three-year-old with a win in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket as well as a Group Two at Deauville. Back in training now he ran a cracker when second at Rosehill and ran a stinker when ear-muffs simply didn’t work last time out at Randwick in a race best forgotten. Pretty decent at his peak he could well run a bigger race than the betting suggests but is not one to rely on 100%?I am afraid and we may be better looking elsewhere for the winner.
Speaking to trainer Frankie Lor this morning he seems to be pretty keen on the chances of Hong Kong Derby winner Furore but having tipped Deirdre elsewhere, I won’t be hedging my bets with an alternative selection. The Japanese mare is a class act at her best and looked the part when out on the track Friday morning in what looked to these eyes a pretty serious work out that will presumably be her last big effort ahead of race day. 7/1 makes her an each way price if only just, and that is how I will be backing her come race day with win bets on the other two.
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