Month: December 2023

Longines HKIR 2023: All Four Favourites Can Be Taken On

Some 44 horses representing England, France, Ireland, Japan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates in addition to a typically deep group representing the home team will line up for Sunday's Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse in the New Territories, with record prizemoney of HK$118 million (£12 million/US$15.1 million) up for grabs across the four events.

There figure to be clear favourites in each of the four races, but each come with his own set of question marks.

 

  • Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) loves the Sha Tin 2000 metres–his local C & D record is nearly unassailable–but having endured a tough race when just winning the G1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley six weeks ago, how short a price is one willing to accept? He looks to become the first repeat winner of the Cup since California Memory in 2011/2012.

 

  • Three-time Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) goes for a third Mile in four years, but takes on a serious group of Japanese milers while returning from a 224-day absence.

 

  • Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) is the best of the local sprinters and had no luck in running last year, but he's been curiously managed this term and has been lacking a killer instinct, albeit with some excuses.

 

  • Four of the last seven runnings of the Vase have gone to Japan, and Carrot Racing's Lebensstil (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) has been the talking horse this week, but he's never faced a test as strong as this, even on the back of a victory over a ring-rusty G1 Satsuki Sho (2000 Guineas) winner Sol Oriens (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G2 St Lite Kinen last time.

 

So, let's take a contrarian approach to Sunday's meeting and build arguments for others, some well-backed in the markets and others with rougher chances:

Longines Hong Kong Cup

The progressive Japanese duo of Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–a pace-disadvantaged runner-up to Romantic Warrior in the G1 FWD QE II Cup in April and a latest third to horse of the world Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn)–and Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) will have their supporters, as will G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), awkward draw and all.

Gousserie Racing's Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) may be the one they're trying to beat in next year's Cup, but the G2 Prix Dollar Sept. 30 capped a four-race winning streak at home and he was scarcely disgraced when beaten under two lengths by King of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. Oct. 21, where the ground was unsuitably easy and he was perhaps asked for his effort sooner than optimal by Mickael Barzalona. It'll be quicker underfoot Sunday and, while not necessarily tipping him to win, he's an each-way chance.

Horizon Dore has a puncher's chance in the Cup | HKJC

Longines Hong Kong Mile

Golden Sixty won this race in 2020 and defended his title 12 months later, but couldn't reel in loose leader California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) last December. The latter figures to take some pressure up front from Godolphin's Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who must go forward from gate 13. A quicker-than-standard pace would certainly suit Golden Sixty, but the riverside draw in 14 is a serious concern. Double-digit barriers have been overcome before by the likes of Ambitious Dragon (NZ) and Maurice (Jpn) and less-accomplished horses like Beauty Only (Ire), so it's obviously not out of the question, and while few would be shocked if he pulled it off, we're inclined to look elsewhere.

The G1 Mile Championship has been used as a Hong Kong Mile lead-up for Hat Trick (Jpn) (2005) and Maurice (Jpn) (2015)–each of whom won the Kyoto feature before doubling up in Hong Kong. Four of the five Japanese raiders for this year's Mile prepped there–including the victorious Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) and narrowly beaten Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn})–but we are opting for Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}).

Spelled following his runner-up effort to Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in June's G1 Yasuda Kinen, he was first-up in the Mile Championship, sat a three- or four-wide trip ahead of midfield without the benefit of cover, came to win the race 200 metres out and ran out of fitness in eighth. He has an inside draw and could settle further back, then make one late dash for glory as he did when winning the Mile Championship in 2022. Here's hoping the speed is on.

Japan's Serifos races second-up in the Mile | HKJC

Longines Hong Kong Sprint

The presence of Japanese speedball Jasper Krone (Frosted), the locally based Victor the Winner (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) and Sight Success (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) should insure that the Sprint is run at a sound tempo. Now, that fact is as likely to benefit a horse like Lucky Sweynesse as anyone else, but evens seems difficult to take on a horse that–at least to now–hasn't shown that he is materially better than last year. Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) was the chief beneficiary last year and is likely to improve in his second run of the season and second start for trainer Jamie Richards and is not without a shot at a more attractive quote.

Cristian Demuro takes the ride on Japan's Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who exits a runner-up effort–beaten a nose–in the G1 Sprinters S. at Nakayama, the same placing earned by Danon Smash (Jpn) before causing a 21-1 boilover in the 2020 Sprint. If that effort is not an aberration, the Sunday Racing runner has an upset chance of his own in a race lacking a true standout.

Longines Hong Kong Vase

It may well eventuate that Lebensstil backs up the hype and should he do so, I'll tip my cap to him and move along. The Vase lost a bit of its lustre when Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was not declared Thursday, but Sunday Racing will also have the regally bred Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), who would be a threat on her very best. With the early scratching of Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a victory from any of the remaining locals is highly unlikely.

Three-year-old fillies have performed well when tried in the Vase, as the pint-sized Vallee Enchantee (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) (815 pounds) beat the boys in 2003, while Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk)–all 941 pounds of her–followed suit in 2009. Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) weighed in at 978 at the time declarations were made Thursday and she will try to give both Aidan O'Brien and her majestic late sire a fourth win in the race. Impressive in winning the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot June 22, she was disappointing in the soft when fifth in the G1 Irish Oaks the following month.

She bounced back with determined victories in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Prix Vermeille and she might have added the 10-furlong GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf last time but for an other-worldly finish from Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). She can sit handy to what figures a modest pace and get first run on those that choose to race farther back. She'll get a nine-pound pull in the weights from the older stayers and Ryan Moore rides at 117 for the first time in quite a while.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club proudly calls the HKIR the 'Turf World Championships' and with the quantity of quality on display Sunday, who's to argue, really?

 

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Baffert Has Two Chances at Seventh Straight Starlet

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will have two opportunities to win his seventh straight GII Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile feature has attracted a field of six.

The rail-drawn, 9-5 morning-line favorite Nothing Like You (Malibu Moon) enters for Baffert riding a two-race winning streak, including a nose victory in the seven-furlong Desi Arnaz S. at Del Mar last time out Nov. 18. She previously graduated by 6 1/2 lengths over next-out winner Great Forty Eight (Constitution) going a two-turn mile at Santa Anita Oct. 14.

Baffert will also saddle the green-but-good debut winner Grazia (Uncle Mo), who earned her diploma going six furlongs at Del Mar Nov. 12.

Chatalas (Gun Runner), a front-running winner of the GII Chandelier S. at Santa Anita Oct. 7, looks to get back on track following a ninth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 3.

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Aqueduct Winter Stakes Schedule Out

The New York Racing Association released the stakes schedule for the 2024 winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, the organization said in a release Friday.

The 47-day Big A winter meet, which will feature 26 stakes races worth $3.5 million in purses, begins Monday, Jan. 1 and runs through Saturday, Mar. 30. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday for the first three weeks of January and Friday-Sunday from Jan. 26 through the first week of March. Aqueduct will host a Presidents' Day card on Monday, Feb. 19. Four-day race weeks resume on March 7.

A total of six stakes received a purse increase at the winter meet, topped by the Listed $150,000 Interborough, which saw it's purse improved by $50,000. Five other featured events received an increment of $25,000 in the GIII Toboggan and GIII Tom Fool H. along with three Listed stakes now worth $150,000, including the Heavenly Prize, Stymie and Excelsior.

The centerpiece of the March stakes calendar is the one-mile Grade III, $300,000 Gotham March 2, providing 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The Gotham Day card includes the Listed one-mile $200,000 Busher for 3-year-old fillies, offering 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.

Click here for a complete stakes list.

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American Peter Bradley Makes His December Debut With a Trio of Broodmare Prospects

The American bloodstock agent and racehorse owner Peter Bradley is a prominent figure at American sales, but makes his debut as a seller at Arqana December with a trio of group quality fillies, including the Group 1-placed La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) at this year's sale.

Bradley purchased 70% percent of La Parisienne after her December 10, 2021 debut at Deauville racecourse when she won by five lengths on the Polytrack. Almost two years later to the date, she sells across the road with Haras du Cadran as lot number 189.

“It was an impressive performance, and I was able to buy a 70% interest with her,” said Bradley. “I left her with Yann and Carlos Lerner, who obviously thought she was a very nice filly, and she proved just that. We were unlucky not to win a group race with her. She ran exceptionally well, second beaten a head in the G1 Prix Diane to Nashwa (GB), John Gosden's filly. After she ran so well there, we thought that she was a filly that we would really like to try and point for the Arc. We gave her a bit of time and she came back and ran in the Prix Vermeille, where she was third in a very troubled trip. She got boxed in, everything went wrong and she really looked like she was the best in the race. But they don't give you a best in show, they give you the win and we just didn't get it that day.”

A try in the Arc wasn't to be. “For the first time ever in the history of the Arc, I believe, she was excluded on the basis of points. She was one of two excluded. We ran in the Opera that day and it was tremendously heavy ground, which she didn't handle. She gave it a go, but just didn't handle it, and I really think that took a bit of life out of her. She came back as a 4-year-old and she ran twice, and she ran flat and I think she just decided that she had given it her all trying to be a racehorse and that was it.”

As it made the most sense to offer La Parisienne here at Deauville, Bradley decided to also offer two of his other fillies who also had good European form.

“La Parisienne was going to be selling here and I thought the other two fillies fit the marketplace, both having been Group winners in Ireland.”

Keeper of Time (left) gets up for the win in the 1000 Guineas Trial | Racingfotos

The first is Keeper of Time (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), an upset winner of the G3 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown for trainer John Feane, who had purchased her at Goffs February for €3,000. After that race, Bradley bought her for his racing partnership. She won a handicap race at Gulfstream and had several close finishes in stakes races. Says Bradley, “She was just a very solid usable race filly. We had a lot of fun with her. She had a condylar fracture and at the time she had it, we contemplated bringing her back but just decided to make her a broodmare. While she's 100% sound right now, she's on her way to someone's broodmare band.”

Keeper of Time sells with La Motteraye as lot 219.

Finally, there is Minaun (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), who also sells with La Moterraye as lot 165, and who was the winner of the G3 Marble Hill S. over six furlongs against males. “She showed an exceptional turn of foot,” he said. “We brought her over to the States and she started on Oaks day at Belmont and absolutely exploded. It was probably one of the most exciting races I've seen a filly of mine run.” Minaun made a last-to-first move that saw her win by an eased-down three lengths, and ran the final furlong in :11.20 seconds

Minaun runs away with her US debut at Belmont | Joe Labocetta

“Then we tried to stretch her out and she's really a sprinter,” said Bradley. “The mile, mile and a sixteenth was a bit too much. I'm always trying to make these fillies into two-turn fillies, and that was my mistake. She still ran second in the Wild Applause at Saratoga. She turned in a very solid run and had some ankle issues, but by the time we got her turned around and got straightened out, her best times were behind her and while she had a solid racing career, it didn't match up to what she had done over here.

“Both she and Keeper of Time had decent careers in the States but their standout performances were here, so I thought we would showcase that. All three all well-balanced, nicely conformed fillies and I think that based on the number of looks we're getting on all three of them, they're making a lot of lists, and we'll see how they're received.”

Bradley has always been something of a Francophile, he admits.

“I've really enjoyed racing over here and I have been lucky enough to buy some nice fillies and colts out of France, and it's my favourite place to come in Europe. There's no doubt about that.”

And while it isn't the first December sale he has attended, it is the first in a long time.

“I don't think I've been here for 15 years,” he said. “Most of what I buy in Europe I buy privately, and while I've certainly bought some horses at the Arc Sale, but I haven't done a lot of work here, and it's good to be back.”

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