You could tell by the toteboard that the local horses were not very strong in the Hong Kong Vase (G1) going 2,400 meters at Sha Tin in the first of the Longines Hong Kong International Races last month. The first four betting interests were from overseas and they ran first, second, third and fifth. But that would be it as the local team was just getting ready.
In the Sprint (G1), Lucky Sweynesse was the odds-on favorite but a poor start saw him in traffic trouble. Second choice in the wagering, Wellington, was far behind in the early going and was still in seventh place turning for home. With a modest pace of 46.32 seconds for the first 800 meters, it didn't look like the race would set up for a horse coming from behind.
Sight Success was running the race of his life and still had the lead with 150 meters to run but Ryan Moore had Wellington in a fierce drive that could not be denied. With a last 400 meters run in 22.04 seconds, Wellington drove to a convincing victory and showed no signs of slowing down at the age of six. Sight Success held on for second by a half-length over last year's winner Sky Field. The final time was only 1:08.76 and was an indication that the turf course had some give in it.
Next up was the eagerly anticipated Mile (G1) which featured the duel between two-time Horse of the Year Golden Sixty, winner of a record 22 races in Hong Kong, and the ultra-talented California Spangle, who he beat last time out in the Jockey Club Mile (G2) in November.
Like last month, Zac Purton was able to take the early lead easily and set a dawdling pace. Looking like he was trying to go gate to wire, Purton got a surprise going into the turn when stablemate Beauty Joy rushed up to take the lead. Purton let him go and tipped out to his outside nearing the top of the stretch.
Vincent Ho had Golden Sixty perched about three lengths off the lead. The pace picked up some around the turn and the first 1,200 meters were covered in 1:10.06. Purton was the first to move and he went by Beauty Joy without any visible effort. The sectional times tell the story as Golden Sixty ran his seventh 100 meters in 10.99 seconds but California Spangle countered with an 11.11.
Ho was all out aboard Golden Sixty but you could see that he was not going to get there. Golden Sixty ran his eighth and final 100 meters in 11.99 seconds but once again could not make up enough ground as California Spangle ran 12.12. The final tally showed California Spangle in front by a neck as he earned his first Group 1 stakes win. Golden Sixty suffered nothing in defeat and is still running big races at the age of seven.
Pace makes the race and California Spangle has it in abundance and it will be interesting to see if Francis Lui changes Golden Sixty's tactics next time out. But he will know where to find his new rival and threat to his local supremacy.
Finally, the Cup (G1) was next and Romantic Warrior was made the odds-on favorite. Despite some strong challenges from Japan, he romped by over 4 ½ lengths in an audacious display that raises the question: Who is the best horse racing in Hong Kong?
The winner of nine of 10 starts, he has progressed from a debut winner at Happy Valley 14 months ago to being a dual Group 1 stakes winner that does not seem to have any weakness. The field he vanquished had talent and depth and he made them look common.
Now, here is where it gets real interesting. It is very possible that California Spangle, Golden Sixty, and Romantic Warrior will all return in the Stewards' Cup (G1) at 1,600 meters on Jan. 29. Right now, Golden Sixty and Romantic Warrior are rated 130 while California Spangle is at 129.
Going a mile, you would think that California Spangle's natural speed would be hard to beat but could he withstand not one but two challenges in the homestretch? Tactically, does Vincent Ho want to make the first move and then risk using his mount's energy and not be able to hold off Romantic Warrior? If both horses hesitate, Purton will have an insurmountable lead on California Spangle.
The tactical possibilities are endless and we can only count the days to Jan. 29 to see how it turns out.
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