It was billed as a clash of the titans, with Hong Kong's three highest-rated gallopers squaring off for the first time in the G1 Stewards' Cup Sunday at Sha Tin. It certainly did not disappoint.
Those who may have thought Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro)'s defeat at the hooves of California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in last month's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile signaled the beginning of the end or a changing of the guard were reminded in no uncertain terms that the 7-year-old retains all of his zest for racing when he ran out a one-length winner. Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), whose rise to the top of the local rankings has been nothing short of meteoric and included a barnstorming win in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on HKIR day, couldn't quite sprint with Golden Sixty, but did manage to stay on for second over an alibi-free California Spangle.
As opposed to last year's race, when Vincent Ho–by his own admission–settled Golden Sixty too far off the pace and watched a 16-race winning skein come to an inglorious halt when second to Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), the bay was asked to sit handier this time around, as California Spangle lobbed them along through an opening 800 metres in :49.12, well over a second outside standard time. Romantic Warrior and Karis Teetan were content to monitor proceedings from second and the three market leaders began to get away from their four rivals nearing the straight. Though Purton noticeably upped the tempo, Golden Sixty had him covered, and when daylight appeared one off the fence a furlong out, he made use of his quick turn of foot and went on to a victory that was fairly soft in the finish. Romantic Warrior hit a bit of a flat spot inside the final 200 metres, but managed to pick himself up late.
While COVID-19 was primarily responsible for dashing any plans to travel Golden Sixty the last couple of seasons, connections reported that they had paid up for the G1 Dubai Turf Mar. 25 with the G1 Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo in early June also a possibility. The Feb. 26 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and a rematch with Romantic Warrior over the latter's best trip of 2000 metres is also under consideration.
“We have to see how he pulls up and we'll discuss with the team,” Ho said. “We have entered the Dubai 1800 on turf as well, so that's another thought. I think it's a good race for him and it can be a 'prep' race for him if we go to Japan because it's left-handed and he can get used to the heat and all that.”
Ho suggested that the sometimes-feisty Golden Sixty has learned to harness his energy.
“He was very comfortable [in the run] and this year he has not pulled, so when he jumped very well, he still dropped the bit and made it even easier for me to handle him and decide what position I wanted to get,” he said. “If I wanted him to be faster, he will be and if I drop my reins, he will relax. So, when Zac picked the pace up at the half mile, [Golden Sixty] still followed through very nicely without any effort.
Gaudeamus is also the dam of the unraced 3-year-old filly Golden Sister (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}), an A$425,000 graduate of the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale who has since been exported to America, and a yearling filly by Medaglia d'Oro's G1 Golden Slipper-winning son Vancouver (Aus). She was most recently covered by So You Think (NZ).
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong STEWARDS' CUP-G1, HK$12,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-29, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.99, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 126, g, 7, by Medaglia d'Oro 1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Leo's Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew 3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg '17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld); T-Francis Lui Kin-wai; J-Vincent Ho Chak-yiu; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: 2x Horse of the Year, Ch. Middle Distance Horse & Ch. 4yo-HK, 27-23-2-1, HK$129,960,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus; and Rainbow Connection (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), GSP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Romantic Warrior (Ire), 126, g, 5, Acclamation (GB)–Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire). (300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK$4,800,000 HRA '21 HKJUN). O-Peter Lau Pak Fai; B-Corduff Stud & T J Rooney; T-Danny Shum Chap-shing; J-Karis Teetan; HK$2,640,000.
3–California Spangle (Ire), 126, g, 5, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Pearlitas Passion (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire). (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFORB). O-Howard Liang Yu Shing; B-M Enright; T-Tony Cruz; Zac Purton; HK$1,200,000.
Margins: 1, NK, 3HF. Odds: 3-2, 1-1, 29-10.
Also Ran: Waikuku (Ire), Beauty Joy (Aus), Russian Emperor (Ire), Panfield (Chi). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Voyage Bubble Specta-'Kah'-lar in Classic Mile…
When jockey Derek Leung opted for Sword Point (Aus) (American Pharoah) in Sunday's Hong Kong Classic Mile, trainer Ricky Yiu reached out to Mickael Barzalona to partner with Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), only to lose his services when the Frenchman was handed a suspension in Dubai. The conditioner then rang up Australia's Jamie Kah, whose first rides in Hong Kong came during last month's Longines International Jockeys' Championship, and who jetted in after five mounts Saturday at Moonee Valley in Melbourne. Let go at odds of 11-1, Voyage Bubble was given a perfectly rated ride from the front by the 26-year-old to score the upset.
Favored Packing Treadmill (Aus) (Manhattan Rain {Aus}) and Keefy (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) were the two quickest away, but Kah took advantage of her low draw and, after a bit of a tardy dispatch, sent Voyage Bubble through to lead linking up with the course proper and slowed the pace right down. Passing the half-way point in a modest :48.51, Voyage Bubble was allowed an especially easy time of things from the 800m to the 400m–covering that section in :23.29–and the duo therefore had something left for the finish, sprinting the final two furlongs in :22.78 for a straight-forward success. Tuchel (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) came on for second having sat a perfect inside trip, while Packing Treadmill kept on for third.
“I'm pretty speechless, it's been a very special day,” said Kah, riding her second winner of the day and third overall in Hong Kong after posting a victory on IJC night. “I've had such a great experience here with some beautiful horses I have ridden. I was speechless after and I got goosebumps–it's hard to make me speechless, it was a very exciting day.”
She added, “He was mapped to get a really nice, sweet run in the race and I was confident. I was just worried about him late as he has the tendency to lay in and I just thought something's going to swoop him late but he just built and built, he got stronger and stronger and probably at the 200 [-metre mark] I thought we were never in doubt–it was a really impressive win going forward.”
With the victory, Voyage Bubble becomes the 24th black-type winner for Deep Field and his second in Hong Kong, joining 2021 G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Sky Field (Aus). Overall, Deep Field is the sire of 28 winners from 48 starters in Hong Kong. Voyage Bubble is out of a half-sister to Bannock (Ire) (Bertolini), winner of the Listed Rockingham S. and placed in the G2 Richmond S. and G2 July S. for Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed al Maktoum and Mark Johnston as well as Australian listed winner Moulin Lady (Aus) (Reset {Aus}). This is also the extended female family of Canadian Horse of the Year Never Retreat (Smart Strike) and Sweetest Chant.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE-LR, HK$12,000,000, Sha Tin, 1-29, NH/SH4yo, 1600mT, 1:34.58, gd.
1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Deep Field (Aus) 1st Dam: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy 2nd Dam: Laoub, by Red Ransom 3rd Dam: Lisieux, by Steady Growth 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine and Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu Poon-fai; J-Jamie Kah; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: 9-4-3-1, HK$10,617,725. *1/2 to Brettan (Aus) (Commands {Aus}), SP-Aus; and Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688.
2–Tuchel (NZ), 126, g, 4, Redwood (GB)–Trista Rossa (Aus), by Testa Rossa (Aus). (NZ$130,000 Ylg '20 NZBJAN). O-Philip Chan Kwok Chung; B-G Harvey; T-John Size; J-Luke Currie; HK$2,640,000.
3–Packing Treadmill (Aus), 126, g, 4, Manhattan Rain (Aus)–I'm An Outoftowner (Aus), by Dane Shadow (Aus). (A$30,000 Wlg '19 IGLJUN). O-Exciting Racing Syndicate; B-A Beard (Vic); T-Francis Lui Kin-wai; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,200,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1HF, 1. Odds: 10-1, 21-1, 3-1.
Also Ran: Cordyceps Six (Aus), Galaxy Witness (Aus), Sword Point (Aus), Keefy (Aus), (DH) Beautyverse (NZ), (DH) Sweet Encounter (NZ), La City Blanche (Arg), Bon's A Pearla (Aus), Viva Chaleur (Fr), Flagship Warrior (Aus), Ivy League (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Revenge is squarely on the mind of reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) as he faces one of his stiffest tests to date in Sunday's G1 Stewards' Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Having suffered a shock defeat at the hands of the re-opposing Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) when in search of a record-equalling 17th consecutive victory in last year's Stewards' Cup, the 7-year-old enters this race with another chip on his shoulder, having failed to reel in loose-on-the-lead California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) when attempting the three-peat last time in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile Dec. 12.
The task at hand is made trickier still by the presence of the once-beaten Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who is cutting back to the mile after decimating his opposition in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup going 2000 metres last month. But jockey Vincent Ho, who has been aboard Golden Sixty in each of his 26 career starts–22 of those victorious–is relishing every last opportunity to ride a horse of this calibre.
“The horse is like a family member to me. In the morning if I come to work, I go and visit him every time to see how he is. He's definitely like a pet but, of course, he's in the stable. I wish I had more time to do more stuff with him,” Ho said.
“Horses like this don't stay forever and you have to cherish and enjoy every moment with him. When I work him or riding him in races, you have to enjoy those moments.”
In what figures a tactical affair where decision making will be at a premium, Zac Purton will put California Spangle on the engine, try to slow the pace as much as possible and try to hold off his two chief adversaries. But he is well aware that there is little margin for error.
“A small, little thing that happens at some stage of the race might be the defining moment for the result, so we all have to be on our game,” Purton, a five-time Hong Kong champion jockey, said. “More importantly, all the horses look like they're on their game and they're fit. It's still early on in their preparation, so none of them are going to be over the top. We just hope it's going to be a good race.”
Last year's BMW Hong Kong Derby hero, Romantic Warrior is going for a unique Group 1 treble, having won the G1 FWD QE II Cup and the Hong Kong Cup. Win or lose, he makes his next start back at 10 furlongs in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and it will be interesting to see how he fits with top-class milers over a trip that is possibly short of his best. His human connections are not lacking for confidence.
“We have some confidence. It's not a big field–just seven horses–so the horse can stay behind California Spangle and we have some confidence that we can beat him,” said trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing. “He's in really good form, so I have confidence in him.”
The supporting feature is the Hong Kong Classic Mile, won last year by Romantic Warrior. Packing Treadmill (Aus) (Manhattan Rain {Aus}) could jump a lukewarm favourite for Purton and Golden Sixty's trainer Francis Lui, with Class 1 winner Keefy (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) and Sweet Encounter (NZ) (Toronado {Ire})–to be ridden by Ryan Moore for John Size–also taking market support.
They poured into Sha Tin Racecourse and Happy Valley Racecourse, roughly 45,000 of them, to take in Sunday's Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting, the largest crowd in over three years. Hong Kong has been tormented in recent years by social upheaval and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic since March 2020, but an easing of Draconian virus-related restrictions a few months ago meant that increasing numbers of fans are now able to partake in one of the city's greatest pastimes with considerable freedom.
The connections of 24 foreign raiders accepted invitations from the Hong Kong Jockey Club for this year's HKIR, but the home team were not the most accommodating of hosts Sunday afternoon, with victories in three of the afternoon's Group 1 features. Japan did not go home empty-handed, while a single–but extremely important–Australian raider did his connections proud as well.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the CEO of the HKJC who has done wonders to hep keep Hong Kong racing afloat during the aforementioned crises, was duly pleased with what he witnessed Sunday.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank the Hong Kong Government for their tremendous support that we could hold such a global event–because this is a real global event which goes around 80 countries where people around the world who love horse racing focus on Hong Kong,” he said.
“I want to thank our team who have done an absolutely outstanding effort because what the team has pulled off has made me as the CEO extremely proud because this is the Hong Kong 'can do' spirit and this is excellence of the Hong Kong Jockey Club–and we never give up.
“Today is about the sport, today is about world-class racing and today is about celebrating champions,” Engelbrecht-Bresges continued. “Today, Hong Kong has shown that we have world-class quality. It's amazing that we have only 1,250 horses in training–that is 0.8% of the world's horse population and it is amazing how many quality horses we have in Hong Kong who are world leaders.”
Turnover for the afternoon's program was a record HK$1.729 billion (£181.1 million/US$222 million).
Isn't It Romantic?
Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) saved the best for last Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin, as he stormed away from a very classy group of international horses to crush in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, the city's richest race annually with prize money of HK$34 million (£3.56 million/US$4.37 million).
Most on hand expected Japan's Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) to lead the Cup field, and so it proved, though he was off to a tardy beginning and had to be rousted along to finally take up the running into the first turn. Romantic Warrior jumped with them, but Longines World's Best Jockey winner James McDonald–in the irons for Karis Teetan–wanted to ease back off the speed and Romantic Warrior acquiesced, albeit while tossing his head around at the first corner. The odds-on pop fought his rider a bit more as they raced to the back, but switched off once and for all and settled just ahead of midfield.
Positions were largely unchanged through the middle furlongs, with Panthalassa still the boss and Romantic Warrior traveling well in hand on the back of longshot Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) into the final three furlongs. Panthalassa had run his race 300 metres out, but, steered out four off the inside into the straight, Romantic Warrior was shaken up and was off and gone with the Cup, the first sub two-minute clocking since the distance of the race was changed in 1999. Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just A Way {Jpn}) rallied from the back for third ahead of Money Catcher. Romantic Warrior is the first to complete the BMW Hong Kong Derby/Hong Kong Cup double as a 4-year-old since Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in 2014.
“I promise you, that was really as good as it looked,” McDonald said. “He was perfect from start to finish today and he's right up there with any of the other really good ones I've ridden, don't worry about that. This horse has a lot of great attributes but his greatest is that he's so adaptable at taking a position.”
Romantic Warrior, whose only career defeat to date came at the hands of California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) when pace-disadvantaged in last year's Hong Kong Classic Cup, turned the tables in the Derby and added the G1 FWD QE II Cup in his final start last prep. A minor setback delayed his seasonal debut, but he made the most of it when running out an easy winner of the G2 Jockey Club Cup Nov. 20.
With the Cup done and dusted, an audacious path forward could lie ahead.
“His owner Peter Lau said, 'Danny if we win this race we should target the Hong Kong Triple Crown over 1600m, 2000m and 2400m',” said trainer Danny Shum, winning his first race at the HKIR.
The first of those stops is next month's G1 Stewards' Cup, which could potentially also draw California Spangle and Golden Sixty for a potential clash of the titans. The Triple Crown continues with February's G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and the G1 Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup in May.
Pedigree Notes:
Romantic Warrior is one of six Group 1 winners for Rathbarry Stud's Acclamation and is the third foal from his dam, a daughter of Folk Opera, whose biggest racetrack success came in the 10-furlong GI E. P. Taylor S. at Woodbine and whose resume also includes a victory in the G2 Darley Prix Jean Romanet. Folk Melody is the dam of the 2-year-old colt Operation Gimcrack (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), who fetched 160,000gns from Bryan Smart Racing at last year's Tattersalls October Sale, and foaled a colt by Showcasing (GB) this season.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG CUP-G1, HK$34,000,000, Sha Tin, 12-11, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.70, gd.
1–ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE), 126, g, 4, by Acclamation (GB) 1st Dam: Folk Melody (Ire), by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Folk Opera (Ire), by Singspiel (Ire) 3rd Dam: Skiphall (GB), by Halling
(300,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT; HK$4,800,000 HRA '21 HKJUN). O-Peter Lau Pak Fai; B-Corduff Stud & T J Rooney; T-Danny Shum C S; J-James McDonald; HK$19,380,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 4yo-HK, 10-9-0-0, $7,769,720. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Danon the Kid (Jpn), 126, c, 4, Just A Way (Jpn)–Epic Love (Ire), by Dansili (GB). (¥100,000,000 Fl '18 JRHAJUL). O-Danox Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Takayuki Yasuda; J-Yuichi Kitamura; HK$7,480,000.
3–Money Catcher (NZ), 126, g, 5, Ferlax (NZ)–Warren's Sister (NZ), by Savabeel (Aus). (NZ$13,000 Wlg '18 NZBMAY; NZ$60,000 2yo '19 NZBRTR). O-The Sunflower Syndicate; B-Haunui Bloodstock Ltd; T-Frankie Lor F C; J-Silvestre de Sousa; HK$3,400,000.
Margins: 4HF, 3/4, 1. Odds: 4-5, 14-1, 43-1.
Also Ran: Tourbillon Diamond (Aus), Russian Emperor (Ire), Geoglyph (Jpn), Jack d'Or (Jpn), Ka Ying Star (GB), Lei Papale (Jpn), Panthalassa (Jpn), Order Of Australia (Ire), Savvy Nine (Fr). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Spangle Plays Spoiler In the Mile
California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) had done his part to validate the form of last year's Classics with a pair of wins at group level this season before just failing to hold off Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) when favoured in the G2 Jockey Club Mile Nov. 20. That was his second defeat to the dual Horse of the Year, having finished two lengths adrift in the G1 FWD Champions Mile back in May. The second choice and the only other horse in the market in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, the bay–carrying the silks of two-time Cup winner California Memory (Highest Honor {Fr})–was given a supremely poised ride by Zac Purton and managed to claw his way home first, denying Golden Sixty a third straight win in the race.
Ideally drawn gate two, California Spangle found his way to the front and was able to slow the pace through an opening 400 metres in :25.01, but Golden Sixty and Vincent Ho were intent on not allowing him to get too far away and settled in fourth, covered by the temperamental Beauty Joy (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}). The latter duo raced in tight quarters five furlongs out and Golden Sixty was steadied off the heels of Australia's Laws of Indices (Ire ) (Power {GB}) at about the same time Hugh Bowman sent Beauty Joy to tackle his pacesetting stable companion. Purton did not panic as he steered California Spangle to the outside and he roused his mount to the lead in upper stretch. Golden Sixty was produced four wide into the lane and kicked hard, but the wire came a couple strides too soon. Laws of Indices, the first overseas runner for trainer Annabel Neasham, covered himself in glory in third.
“It was pretty straightforward early,” said Purton, who was riding a 10th HKIR winner. “Tony pre-race asked me if I could just let the horse roll along a little bit more than we did last time. He's a lot more relaxed this season and he kept coming back underneath me. I kept trying to click him along but he was waiting for the other horses, I think we've seen today that he is a little bit versatile. When Beauty Joy came around him, he was happy to let him go and it helped him think about what was going on. He got into a lovely rhythm in behind and wanted to chase him.
“Then when he got clear of him he wanted to wait a little bit which was a worrying time for me when I could feel Golden Sixty breathing down my neck again. Today I thought he had me at the 200m and then at the 100m I thought, 'he hasn't quite got me yet.' We kept trying and we were lucky to get the result today,” Purton added.
Pedigree Notes:
California Spangle becomes the fifth Group 1 winner for his sire, whose recently retired son State of Rest (Ire) took this year's Prince of Wales's S. to become a top-level scorer in four different countries. Out of a half-sister to G2 Hungerford S. and G3 Solario S. winner Shakespearean (Ire) (Shamardal) and from the family of highweight Sainte Marine (Ire) (Kenmare {Fr}) and multiple group winner Josr Algarhound (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), California Spangle has a 2-year-old half-sister named Alchimia (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}).
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG MILE-G1, HK$30,000,000, Sha Tin, 12-11, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.41, gd.
1–CALIFORNIA SPANGLE (IRE), 126, g, 4, by Starspangledbanner (Aus) 1st Dam: Pearlitas Passion (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire) 2nd Dam: Paimpolaise (Ire), by Priolo 3rd Dam: Basilea (Fr), by Frere Basile (Fr) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFORB). O-Howard Liang Yum Shing; B-M Enright; T-Tony Cruz A S; J-Zac Purton; HK$17,100,000. Lifetime Record: 14-9-5-0, $6,068,602. *1/2 to Wychwood Warrior (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), MSP-Ire, SP-UAE. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Golden Sixty (Aus), 126, g, 7, Medaglia d'Oro–Gaudeamus, by Distorted Humor. (A$120,000 Ylg '17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld); T-Francis Lui K W; J-Zac Purton; HK$6,600,000.
3–Laws of Indices (Ire), 126, c, 4, Power (GB)–Sampers (Ire), by Exceed and Excel (Aus). (€8,000 Ylg '19 GOFOCT). O-Aquis Farm Stallions, D P Hickey et al; B-N Hartery; T-Annabel Neasham; J-James McDonald; HK$3,000,000.
Margins: NK, 1 1/4, 3 3/4. Odds: 11-5, 1-2, 54-1.
Also Ran: Beauty Joy (Aus), More Than This (GB), Danon Scorpion (Jpn), Excellent Proposal (Aus), Waikuku (Ire), Schnell Meister (Jpn). Scratched: Salios (Jpn). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
Wellington Back To Championship Form in Sprint
Badly hampered by the spill that marred last year's running of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) was under a cloud of uncertainty for this year's event after he was found to be lame following a sixth to Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) in the Nov. 20 G2 Jockey Club Sprint. Pronounced fit to run by trainer Richard Gibson, the 6-year-old bounced back to his best with a 3/4-length defeat of longshot Sight Success (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) Sunday afternoon.
Sight Success was first to break the line and fought out a moderate early tempo alongside Singapore raider Lim's Kosciuszko (Aus) (Kermadec {NZ}), with the heavily favored Lucky Sweynesse just in behind and Wellington between rivals and in back of midfield. Given a bit of rein midway on the turn by Ryan Moore, who was replacing the injured Alexis Badel, Wellington raced in clear air and slipstreamed Courier Wonder (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}). Tipped outside of that one with a quarter mile to sprint, Wellington let down beautifully and reeled in a very game Sight Success for the victory. Defending champion Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) closed off nicely for third. Lucky Sweynesse was ridden for luck in the straight, but was blocked at a crucial stage and was unlucky not to finish better than sixth.
“It was very straightforward from my horse, he took me there comfortably and had the race sewn up with 200m to go really,” said Moore, registering an eighth HKIR win. “To me, he has looked the best sprinter in Hong Kong for some time now and obviously it's very harsh on Alexis, but I'm very thankful to pick up the ride and have a go on him today.”
With the biggest local sprint in the bag, connections may set their sights on overseas targets.
“All our energy has been focused since last year for this race,” trainer Richard Gibson said. “We really wanted to win it for Hong Kong and for the owners, who have been so supportive to me and were my first owners in Hong Kong. I'm delighted I've delivered one of our biggest races here and it's fantastic for Hong Kong to have horses of this ability. There is a programme for him during the coming months, but if that goes well, we will look at Ascot.”
Gibson saddled Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {Ire}) to a runner-up effort to Twilight Son (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. in 2016.
Pedigree Notes:
One of four Group 1 winners for Black Caviar (Aus)'s half-brother All Too Hard (by Casino Prince {Aus}), Wellington is out of a Group 2-placed mare bred on the wonderfully productive Danehill cross over the late More Than Ready. Third dam Solo de Lune was responsible for the listed-winning L'Ancresse (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), second in the G1 Darley Irish Oaks and GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The latter's produce include Group 3 winner and G1 Gold Cup third Master of Reality (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and French Group 2 winner Sibila Spain (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Wellington's 3-year-old half-sister Rotorua (Aus) (Star Witness {Aus}) broke her maiden at Nowra in New South Wales Dec. 4 and Mihiri's most recent produce is a yearling full-sister to Wellington.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT-G1, HK$24,000,000, Sha Tin, 12-11, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.76, gd.
1–WELLINGTON (AUS), 126, g, 6, by All Too Hard (Aus) 1st Dam: Mihiri (Aus) (GSP-Aus, $123,433), by More Than Ready 2nd Dam: Danoise (Aus), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Solo de Lune (Ire), by Law Society
(A$70,000 Ylg '19 MMGCYS). O-Mr & Mrs Michael Cheng Wing On & Jeffrey Cheng Man Cheong; B-Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd, David Paradise, Steve McCann (NSW); T-Richard Gibson; J-Ryan Moore; HK$13,680,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Sprinter-HK, 19-12-1-0, $6,866,036. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Sight Success (Aus), 126, g, 6, Magnus (Aus)–Tarp (Aus), by Bletchley Park (Ire). (A$45,000 Ylg '18 MGCFEB). O-Tam Wing Kun; B-G R Daws (WA); T-John Size; J-Christophe Lemaire; HK$5,280,000.
3–Sky Field (Aus), 126, g, 6, Deep Field (Aus)–Laravissante (NZ), by O'Reilly (NZ). (NZ$175,000 Ylg '18 NZBJAN). O-Kwan Shiu Man, Jessica Kwan Mun Hang & Jeffrey Kwan Chun Ming; B-M Ryan (NSW); T-Caspar Fownes; J-Blake Shinn; HK$2,400,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, NK. Odds: 31-10, 14-1, 33-1.
Also Ran: Courier Wonder (NZ), Meikei Yell (Jpn), Lucky Sweynesse (NZ), Cordyceps Six (Aus), Super Wealthy (Aus), Stronger (Aus), Naran Huleg (Jpn), Duke Wai (NZ), Gendarme, Resistencia (Jpn), Lim's Kosciuszko (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing.
More 'Vase' Time For Japan
The money kept pouring in on GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the final minutes of betting prior to Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, nudging him past defending champion Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) for favouritism in the first of the day's four international Group 1 events. But at the end of 12 furlongs, neither of the market leaders truly figured in the finish, as Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Aus}) swooped them all in the final 150 metres to give Japan a third victory in the last four years and its fourth win in the last seven runnings.
The 11-2 chance settled behind midfield and raced outside of Glory Vase and Joao Moreira down the back straight as Senor Toba (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) was allowed to gallop them along at a very leisurely pace. Held together on the back of Ballydoyle's Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) as the Vase field raced into the final three furlongs, Win Marilyn was steered out with no straw in her path off the home corner and she covered her final 400 metres in a sharp :23.33 to win decisively. Botanik (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}), who beat Japan's Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville in August, sat up handy to the soft pace and stayed on well for second ahead of Glory Vase, who split horses and looked a winning chance late before finishing off at one pace. Stone Age was well spotted, but keen for Ryan Moore, and couldn't go with the top ones in the final stages. Mendocino (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), this year's G1 Grosser Preis von Baden winner, refused at the break and took no part.
“She travelled sweetly. You can ride her wherever you want and I was happy to take a sit because I knew with her turn of foot she could finish over them,” said winning jockey Damian Lane. “There was a little sense of relief I suppose, I've had a few goes here with no success. I think the 2400m really suits her and the horse who beat her the other day [Geraldina {Jpn}] in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup] was something special so I was confident that Win Marilyn could hold her form today. It's a privilege to be a part of Japanese racing and getting on these horses.”
Win Marilyn was winning for the first time this term, having finished a close third to Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen ahead of her runner-up effort in the QE II. She becomes the fifth female to defeat the boys in the Vase, joining Borgia (Ger), 1997; Vallee Enchantee (Fr), 2003; the late Ouija Board (GB), 2005; and Daryakana (Ire), 2009.
Pedigree Notes:
Win Marilyn is the third Group 1 winner for her sire, who is also responsible for 2015 Mile and 2016 Cup hero Maurice (Jpn). She is one of seven winners from eight to the races for her dam, an A$170,000 purchase out of the 2005 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and a half-sister to Group 3 winners Shorblue (Aus) (Bluebird) and Classic Allure (Aus) (Bellotto {Aus}). Cosmo Cielo is also the dam of a gelded yearling half-brother to Win Marilyn by connetions' 2019 Hong Kong Cup victor Win Bright (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) and is due to Epiphaneia (Jpn) next year.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG VASE-G1, HK$22,000,000, Sha Tin, 12-11, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:27.53, gd.
1–WIN MARILYN (JPN), 122, m, 5, by Screen Hero (Jpn) 1st Dam: Cosmo Cielo (Aus), by Fusaichi Pegasus 2nd Dam: Shorwon (Aus), by Buena Shore 3rd Dam: April Wonder (Aus), by Newtown Wonder (GB) 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Win Co Ltd; B-Cosmo View Farm; T-Takahisa Tezuka; J-Damian Lane; HK$12,540,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & MG1SP-Jpn, 17-6-2-1, $4,725,187. *1/2 to Win Malerei (Jpn) (Matsurida Gogh {Jpn}), GSW-Jpn, $701,941. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
2–Botanik (Ire), 126, g, 4, Golden Horn (GB)–Autumn Lily, by Street Cry (Ire). O/B-Godolphin; T-Andre Fabre; J-William Buick; HK$4,840,000.
3–Glory Vase (Jpn), 126, h, 7, Deep Impact (Jpn)–Mejiro Tsubone (Jpn), by Swept Overboard. (¥52,000,000 Ylg '16 JRHAJUL). O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Lake Villa Farm; T-Tomohito Ozeki; J-Joao Moreira; HK$2,200,000.
Margins: 1HF, NK, 1 1/4. Odds: 11-2, 79-10, 27-10.
Also Ran: Panfield (Chi), Stone Age (Ire), Bubble Gift (Fr), Senor Toba (Aus), Broome (Ire), Butterfield (Brz). TNP-Mendocino (Ger). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO.
His 22 career victories is an all-time record in Hong Kong racing history. His HK$116 million (£12.2 million/US$14.7 million) in career earnings makes him not only the richest racehorse to look through a bridle in the Special Administrative Region, but also one of the richest Thoroughbreds, ever. Stanley Chan's Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) can make even more history this Sunday when he starts a long odds-on proposition in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, a victory in which will tie Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan) with three straight wins at the Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting.
While he may have fallen just short of equaling the great Silent Witness (Aus)'s mark of 17 wins in a row when defeated in the G1 Stewards' Cup and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup last winter, he has since roared back and enters the three-peat attempt off a fast-finishing score over the pace-advantaged California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile Nov. 20. The latter, a €150,000 Goffs Orby acquisition for the connections of two-time Hong Kong Cup hero California Memory (Highest Honor {Fr}), was 3-5 to Golden Sixty's even-money in the Jockey Club Mile, and was given every conceivable chance by Zac Purton, only to be run down late. He faces the champ at level weights this time, but is the lone speed and must be caught.
A Japanese contingent headed by Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) and Danon Scorpion (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), winners of the last two runnings of the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup, stand in his way, but the connections of Golden Sixty have every reason to approach the three-peat attempt with supreme confidence.
“He's okay after the last run and, at the moment, I just try to keep him happy,” said trainer Francis Lui. “He's healthy, happy and is character is just the same. To me, I think he is a special horse. You can see every time, he just wants to pass a horse in front of him.”
Even by its lofty standards, the 2022 racing season has been a landmark one for Japanese gallopers that have been sent overseas.
It all got started at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh on the last Saturday of February, when Team Japan posted four victories on the G1 Saudi Cup undercard. Four weeks later at sprawling Meydan Racecourse, they somehow managed to top that incredible feat when no fewer than five horses got their pictures taken. It may not have gone swimmingly at places like Royal Ascot and Goodwood over the late spring and summer, and the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe remains the impossible dream–for now, at least–but Japan has realistic chances in three of the four races Sunday afternoon, none more so than the day's most valuable prize, the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.
Panthalassa (Jpn), whose sire Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) was a breathtaking two-time winner of the Sprint, was one of the aforementioned scorers in Dubai, dead-heating with Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf and he figures no worse than the second betting favourite Sunday.
The 5-year-old may have found the 11 furlongs of the G1 Takarazuka Kinen a task too tall in June, but he was exceptionally game in second in his two most recent efforts–both from the front–first behind Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) after a fight in the G2 Sapporo Kinen and when given a bold ride in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn), opening up by as many as 15 lengths before just failing to hold off the talented Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). Panthlassa will look to channel his inner A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}, all-the-way winner of the 2015 Cup, but Jack d'Or could be the fly in the ointment if he, too, is asked to roll forward for Yutaka Take. Japan has won the last three Cups and five of the last seven.
Should a contested pace materialize, Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) looks the most likely beneficiary. Purchased for 300,000gns out of the 2019 Tattersalls October Sale by the Hong Kong Jockey Club team led by Mick Kinane and the current pin-up horse for the Hong Kong International Sale, last year's BMW Hong Derby and G1 FWD QE II Cup winner overcame an interrupted preparation with a victory over Tourbillon Diamond (Aus) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup Nov. 20.
“He's definitely going to be there when whips are cracking,” said jockey James McDonald, who was honored as the Longines World's Best Jockey Friday evening. “It's a very competitive Hong Kong Cup and he has to come up to another level taking on the Japanese but I'm sure he can.”
Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who took the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Mile at cricket-score odds, won this year's G3 Minstrel S. (1400m) and was placed in the G1 Queen Anne S., G1 Prix du Moulin and GI Coolmore Turf Mile. Connections nevertheless opt for the Cup over a trip he has not tackled in over two years.
“He's been running all the time over a mile but we always thought stepping up over a mile and a quarter would improve him more,” trainer Aidan O'Brien said. “He's obviously by Australia and we're very happy with him, we'll see what happens on Sunday.
“He has won over seven furlongs twice as well, so we kept him at a mile after the Breeders' Cup win, but we'd think there's a pretty good chance that [2000m] will be fine.”
Hong Kong Hard To Go Past in Sprint
If the Japanese have been a problem too tough to solve in the Cup, the home team has nearly totally dominated the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. In the 23 renewals of the race dating back to 1999, on just six occasions have foreign horses launched a successful raid and only once in the last 11 years with Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in 2020.
Last year's Hong Kong champion sprinter Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) was badly hampered by the spill in last year's Sprint won by Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), but recovered to close the season with a successful defence of his crown in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize. The 6-year-old returned as the 135-pound topweight in the G2 Premier Bowl H. Oct. 23 and gave the progressive Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) 11 pounds and a one-length beating. The latter turned the tables last time in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Sprint, but Wellington was found to be lame thereafter and has since been passed fit to run. Ryan Moore subs in on Wellington for the injured Alexis Badel.
“I have strong feelings for Alexis Badel,” Gibson said. “It's a very big day for him to miss. He's got a very good relationship with Wellington. He understands the horse very well, so my thoughts are with him but obviously delighted to call on Ryan's expertise and experience for the big one.”
Moore was aboard Danon Smash from the 14 hole two years ago.
The 2022 Japanese challenge is spearheaded by the winners of the nation's two Group 1 sprints. Naran Huleg (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}) rallied furiously to just take out the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in the spring, while Gendarme (Kitten's Joy) belied odds of nearly 20-1 from close range in the G1 Sprinters' S. Oct. 2.
Singapore adds a bit more international flavour to the meeting and is represented by Lim's Kosciuszko (Aus) (Kermadec {NZ}), winner of 11 from 14 at home, including the country's signature sprint test, the Lion City Cup in August, and he was versatile enough to win a Singapore Derby (1800m) prior to that effort.
The G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase for the middle-distance set has attracted a two-time champion and an interesting collection of European shippers to face a somewhat suspect group of locals.
Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) doesn't make too many trips to the races and seems to save his best for Sha Tin. The 4-5 favourite when accounting for Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) last December, having won the Vase for the first time two years prior, the 7-year-old was eighth to Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March and was a fair sixth to Jack d'Or in the Sapporo Kinen. He will benefit from the extra 400 metres and has the services of Joao Moreira, who also rides Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Cup and Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) in the Sprint in what is expected to be his final day in the saddle in Hong Kong.
Of the Euros, Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) owns the single most important piece of recent form, having run second to Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf Nov. 5. A likely pacesetter from the inside gate, the 3-year-old is one of two for Aidan O'Brien, who also saddles the well-traveled Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}).
“We were delighted with him in the Breeders' Cup, he ran a very good race and had progressed from his previous run at Ascot,” O'Brien said of Stone Age. “We've been happy with everything we've seen from him since then. It had been on my mind to go to Hong Kong since after the Breeders' Cup, we thought the track, trip and ground should all suit him fine, we're all looking forward to it.”
Making his first visit to Hong Kong, Broome was an impressive winner of the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot, and has since made fruitless appearances back at Ascot, Saratoga, Leopardstown, ParisLongchamp and Keeneland, where he was five lengths' sixth in the Breeders' Cup.
“We had it in our heads that we might go to the [G1 Longines] Japan Cup, it just came maybe a week or two too early and that's why we waited. We were delighted to have the opportunity to come to Hong Kong with him. He's in good form and is a very good natured, very sound horse,” explained O'Brien, who has won the Vase twice with Highland Reel (Ire) and most recently with Mogul (GB) two years ago.
Mendocino (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) upset last year's Arc winner Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden in September, but did not get through the deep ground in Paris when 12th in the Arc. The chestnut can go better on a sounder surface this weekend, provided he is on his best behaviour.
Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is winless from five this season, but has run with credit, including a close third to future Arc heroine Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Trainer Mikel Delzangles won the 2011 Vase with Dunaden (Fr). Botanik (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) represents Godolphin France and Andre Fabre and owns a victory over Saudi and Dubai winner Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville this past August.
THE PICKS:
Cup—Panthalassa will be winging it, but I expect Jack d'Or to keep him honest enough. That should give Romantic Warrior a fair shot at them late.
Mile–Not trying to beat Golden Sixty, especially from a favourable draw. Schnell Meister for second?
Sprint—Naran Huleg will be completely under the radar and probably shouldn't be. Rattled home in both of Japan's Group 1 sprints, good for a smashing win and a third.
Vase–Trying Mendocino, who was all heart to beat the Arc winner at Iffezheim and even has a close second to Alpinista going back. Must handle the quicker ground, but rates a chance. Glory Vase clearly the one to beat at his favourite track.
We're all set for Sunday's (11 Dec) @LONGINES#HKIR at Sha Tin!
Golden Sixty Romantic Warrior Wellington Jack d'Or Panthalassa Bubble Gift Mendocino Stone Age + more… x4 Group 1s HK$110 million#競馬 | #HKracingpic.twitter.com/SNpPsUUnfL
Golden Sixty
Jack d'Or
Bubble Gift
Mendocino
Stone Age
+ more…
x4 Group 1s
HK$110 million