With a horse population that numbers around 1200, Hong Kong proudly boasts four of the top six horses in the latest Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR), each of which will be warm items Sunday when Sha Tin Racecourse plays host to its second-biggest day of international racing annually, the FWD Champions Day program.
Of the quartet, Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) sits just behind Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) at the top of the heap and looks to make history when he goes in search of a third straight success in the G1 FWD Champions Mile. After being thwarted in one such pursuit by the re-opposing and WBRR #6 California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in December, Hong Kong's all-time leading money spinner turned the tables in the G1 Stewards' Cup in January and beat Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB})–joint-fourth in the rankings–at his best game in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) the following month. The connections of Golden Sixty passed on an attempt at desert riches in the G1 Dubai Turf in favour of the Champions Mile and there is no lack of optimism in his camp.
“I don't feel any pressure, the pressure before the race is that I hope he can win, always,” said trainer Francis Lui. “Every time we plan, we do it after the race and my future plan is another Hong Kong Mile in December.”
While Golden Sixty will be a short-priced favourite in a race that also includes G1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas hero Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) and BMW Hong Kong Derby hero Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Romantic Warrior has something to prove in defence of his title in last year's G1 FWD QE II Cup over the metric mile and a quarter. Last year's Derby winner was an eye-catching in adding the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup on international day in December, but he was a battling second in the Stewards' Cup and could not sprint with Golden Sixty in the Gold Cup. Sunday's race is anything but a 'gimme', given the presence of last-out G1 Longines Queen Elizabeth S. winner Dubai Honour (GB) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}). Victorious in the G1 Ranvet S. prior to that, he was a close fourth to Japan's Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the 2021 Hong Kong Cup and is a giant threat Sunday.
The QE II Cup has gone to Japan three of the last six years and the nation sends across a typically strong contingent this weekend. Geraldina (Jpn), a daughter of former Champions Mile winner Maurice (Jpn) and fellow Japanese Horse of the Year Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), defeated her peers in Japan's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and was a sound third to Equinox in the G1 Arima Kinen. She should strip fitter for a better-than-it-looks sixth behind Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in the G1 Osaka Hai last time. The progressive Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was a fast-finishing winner of the G2 Kinko Sho Mar. 12 and has the services of Zac Purton, while Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just A Way {Jpn}) was runner-up in last year's Hong Kong Cup and exits a narrowly beaten third in the Osaka Hai.
Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) goes for back-to-back wins in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, but will fill a supporting role against the in-form Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}), who shares fourth in the WBRR with Romantic Warrior. Disappointed for a clear run when sixth to Wellington in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, he enters this test on a four-race winning streak, a stretch that also includes the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup and G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup. Pending the results from this weekend, he could travel to Japan for the G1 Yasuda Kinen for his next appearance.
Adding a bit of intrigue to the Chairman's are Sight Success (Aus) (Magnus {Aus}) and Duke Wai (NZ) (Per Incanto), a creditable fourth and fifth, respectively, in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Mar. 25.
While the ongoing complications caused by COVID-19 have resulted in no overseas competition, Sunday's FWD Champions Day meeting at Sha Tin will not lack for intrigue, as the region's top horses face a real challenge from the first two home in last month's BMW Hong Kong Derby.
Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) is the afternoon's pin-up horse as he seeks an unprecedented 21st career victory when he goes in defence of his crown in the G1 FWD Champions Mile. The 6-year-old suffered the second and third losses of his career in the G1 Stewards' Cup and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, respectively, but bounced back with a resounding success in the G2 Chairman's Trophy last time Apr. 3. He's drawn ideally in barrier two and it's full steam ahead, according to his connections.
“We've got a good draw and obviously there should be two or three horses that will have some good pace,” said regular rider Vincent Ho. “Draw two is perfect for us and we can just track up to them and run them down in the straight. Since [his] last start, he's brought on his fitness more and we're confident going into this race.”
California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) cuts back to the mile after finishing a gallant second in the 10-furlong Derby. He was unlucky to lose the Hong Kong Classic Mile after setting the pace from a horror draw and bounced back in the Classic Cup over 1800 metres before just giving in late in the Derby. He will have to be caught.
“It's an exciting part of it,” said jockey Zac Purton. “I don't know where we stand against Golden Sixty–he could just be better than us and that might be the case on the weekend, but we're not going to know until we race against him and I feel that my bloke has still got room to improve.”
Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) looks to become the first 4-year-old since Werther (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) in 2016 to win the Derby and double up in the G1 FWD QE II Cup. After rallying to best California Spangle in the Classic Mile, he was dealt a bad draw of his own and worked home well to be a close fourth in the Classic Cup. He knuckled down late to grab his rival in the shadows of the post in the Derby and will try to keep the ball rolling Sunday.
“Stepping up to open age…will be a big challenge for him, because he won the Derby and it was only against 4-year-olds,” said trainer Danny Shum. “Now, he's against Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is very good over 2000 metres, so it's a big challenge for him.”
Russian Emperor steps back up in trip, having finished a sound runner-up to Golden Sixty in the Chairman's Trophy over a distance that is clearly short of his best. Prior to that, the former G3 Hampton Court S. hero took out the Gold Cup, leaving Golden Sixty in his wake.
The third of the day's Group 1s is the Chairman's Sprint Prize, headed by its defending champion Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}). It figures to be something other than a straight-forward task, however, given the presence of G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) and Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}), who was the $3.20 (11-5) favourite in the Sprint, only to go down in that horrific spill at the 400-metre mark.
On this day 12 months ago, jockey Vincent Ho guided Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) to an upset victory in the FWD Champions Mile, his first Group 1 score some 10 years removed from being named the champion apprentice rider in Hong Kong and about a month after throwing Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) across the line first in the prestigious BMW Hong Kong Derby.
Sunday's FWD Champions Day program at Sha Tin, attended by the biggest on-track crowd since COVID-19 took hold last year, marked a new high for the homegrown hoop, as not only did he pilot Golden Sixty to a 14th consecutive victory in the G1 FWD Champions Mile (see below), he capped the afternoon with a savvy steer atop Japanese mare Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who led home a 1-2-3-4 finish for the island nation in the day's richest test, the HK$25-million G1 FWD QE II Cup.
“I can't describe it,” Ho told the HKJC notes team, reflecting on his two successes that came about 40 minutes apart. “The QEII Cup is one of my dream goals as well as the Derby and the December internationals, a QEII win means a lot. It's amazing today with Golden Sixty and Loves Only You. It's definitely one of the highlights, I'll enjoy it for sure.”
QE II Cup: How Sweep It Is…
Loves Only You was down in trip for the QE II Cup, having run a cracking third behind Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic over a 12-furlong trip just 29 days back. The 2019 G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) victress jumped without incident from gate five and landed in the one-out and one-back position, as Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) was gifted a cheap time of it up front when potential pace factors Kiseki (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) and Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) were slowly away.
The early tempo was very much in favour of need-the-lead Time Warp, who went the opening 800 metres in :51.92 and was past the half-mile marker in a dawdling 1:15.45. Defending champion Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) was the first to try to pour some pressure on the front-runner, but Ho got going on Loves Only You leaving the three-furlong point, momentarily locking away favoured Japanese Triple Crown winner Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) down inside. Exultant couldn't quite get to Time Warp and was one of the first beaten, but Loves Only You was busily ridden into the final furlong and came away to score, as Glory Vase closed off nicely for second. Daring Tact found clear racing room in upper stretch, but was not good enough on the day and finished third, while Kiseki made belated progress into fourth.
Loves Only You is the first Hong Kong winner for colourful trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who won the 2016 G1 Dubai Turf with Loves Only You's full-brother Real Steel (Jpn) and the 2019 G1 Ladbrokes Cox Plate in Australia with Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). The latter was beaten a neck by Exultant in the 2018 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase and was third to compatriot Win Bright (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in this race during her Horse of the Year campaign in 2019.
Loves Only You is the sixth Japanese-based winner of the QE II (Eishin Preston, 2002, 2003; Rulership {Jpn}, 2012; Neorealism {Jpn}), 2017; and Win Bright). She is the second female to win the race, joining Team Valor's Irridescence (SAf) (Caesour), who scored in 2006.
Pedigree Notes:
Loves Only You's dam was offered in foal to Danehill Dancer (Ire) as an unraced 3-year-old at the 2009 Keeneland November Sale, but nevertheless fetched $900,000, and with good reason.
Loves Only Me is a daughter of Monevassia, a full-sister to Kingmambo and to Miesque's Son, whose multiple champion and MG1SW Rumplestiltskin (Ire) (Danehill) is the dam of G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks winner Tapestry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and her GSW full-brother John F Kennedy (Ire).
Third dam Miesque requires no introduction. Nine times a champion in England, France and the U.S., the homebred was victorious no fewer than 10 times in Group 1 and Grade I company, including the English and French 1000 Guineas in 1987, and the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois and GI Breeders' Cup Mile in 1987 and 1988, for which she received consecutive Eclipse Awards. Monevassia's half-sister Second Happiness (Storm Cat) is the dam of Study of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who carried the Flaxman silks to victory in the 2018 G1 Prix du Jockey Club.
The cross of Deep Impact over Storm Cat mares has produced 50 winners from 65 runners (71 foals), of which 11 have succeeded in stakes company (16% SWs to runners), including G1SW's A Shin Hikari (Jpn), Kizuna (Jpn), Satono Aladdin (Jpn), Lachesis (Jpn) and Ayusan (Jpn). Beauty Parlour (Jpn), herself a Pouliches winner, is out of a mare by Storm Cat's son Giant's Causeway.
Since producing her in utero foal, Loves Only Me had a standing date with Deep Impact, accounting for three million-dollar winners. She missed to the late sire in 2018, but is represented by a 2-year-old full-brother to Loves Only You and Real Steel from Deep Impact's final crop. Her yearling is a colt by Duramente (Jpn) and she was most recently covered by Heart's Cry (Jpn).
WATCH: Loves Only You leads a Japanese sweep of the QE II Cup
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong FWD QE II CUP-G1, HK$25,000,000 (£2,321,128/€2,663,169/A$4,159,000/US$3,221,793), Sha Tin, 4-25, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:01.22, gd.
1–LOVES ONLY YOU (JPN), 122, m, 5, by Deep Impact (Jpn) 1st Dam: Loves Only Me, by Storm Cat 2nd Dam: Monevassia, by Mr. Prospector 3rd Dam: Miesque, by Nureyev
(¥160,000,000 Ylg '17 JRHAJUL). O-DMM Dream Club Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Vincent Ho; HK$14,250,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Jpn, G1SP-UAE, 13-6-1-3, HK$40,536,420. *Full to Langley (Jpn), SP-Jpn, $1,173,360; Real Steel (Jpn), Hwt. Older Horse-UAE at 7-9.5f, G1SW-UAE, MGSW & MG1SP-Jpn, $7,508,769; Prodigal Son (Jpn), SW & MGSP-Jpn, $1,564,219. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Glory Vase (Jpn), 126, h, 6, 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-Karis Teetan; HK$5,500,000.
3–Daring Tact (Jpn), 122, f, 4, Epiphaneia (Jpn)–Daring Bird (Jpn), by King Kamehameha (Jpn). (RNA fl '17 JRHAJUL; ¥12,000,000 Ylg '18 JRHAJUL). O-Normandy Thoroughbred Racing Co Ltd; B-Hasegawa Bokujo; T-Haruki Sugiyama; J-Kohei Matsuyama; HK$2,500,000.
Margins: 3/4, HF, 1HF. Odds: 24-5, 37-10, 3-2.
Also Ran: Kiseki (Jpn), Exultant (Ire), Glorious Dragon (Ire), Time Warp (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Fourteen For 'Sixty'…
After toying with the idea of a start in the QE II Cup, the connections of Golden Sixty sensibly settled on the G1 FWD Champions Mile, where he started a $1.20 (1-5) mortal. In the end, he scraped in just ahead of stablemate More Than This (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) to take his career record to 17 wins from 18 runs, the last 14 in succession.
Golden Sixty and More Than this settled as the trailing duo in a race that drew just six entries, as Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) upsetter Healthy Happy (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) showed the way from Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) through moderate early sectionals. Golden Sixty raced keenly down the back as is his wont–mouth agape–and was clearly last to make the bend after 800 metres in :47.69. Vincent Ho decided he could no longer hold the heavy favourite at the 600 metres, allowing Golden Sixty to sweep around rivals to make a line of four turning for home. The way he asserted a furlong and a half out had whipped those aforementioned fans into a frenzy, but Golden Sixty–who can idle once in front–began to lay in, even under a right-handed whip from Ho. More Than This, meanwhile, was hitting his best stride and was cutting back the margin, only to have the winning post come a fraction too soon. The runner-up's owner also campaigns Playa del Puente (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), who nearly beat Golden Sixty at 289-1 in the Derby.
“They were a bit slow, and when I pulled out at the 600-metre mark, he was already alongside them, then when I hit the straight he just went for it,” Ho told the HKJC notes team. “He has never been chased and we learnt today that he still can fight when something chases him, not just when he is doing the chasing, which is good.”
Winning trainer Francis Lui added: “He's a very good horse–I was a little bit worried, but Golden Sixty is that kind of horse, when he passes the other horses he thinks his job is done but then when he saw another runner coming he turned it on again.”
Now seven-from-seven this term, Golden Sixty is a candidate for a break, but an historic sweep of the Triple Crown and a bonus loom if he were to add the G1 Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup (2400m) to previous victories in the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m) and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) in a month's time. It would mark his first start past 10 furlongs.
“Depends, I will see how the horse recovers and then decide, because the Triple Crown is still under consideration,” Lui said. “I don't think the distance is a worry, he's that kind of horse who will fight no matter what, it just depends on how he recovers.”
WATCH: Golden Sixty makes it 14 straight in the Champions Mile
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong FWD CHAMPIONS MILE-G1, HK$20,000,000 (£1,856,903/€2,130,535/A$3,327,200/US$2,577,434), Sha Tin, 4-25, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.45, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 126, g, 5, 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; T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$11,400,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 4yo-HK, 18-17-0-0, HK$77,925,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $132,352. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–More Than This (GB), 126, g, 5, Dutch Art (GB)–Striving (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (40,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Huang Kai Wen; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd; T-Francis Lui; J-Joao Moreira; HK$4,400,000.
3–Southern Legend (Aus), 126, g, 8, Not A Single Doubt (Aus)–Donna's Appeal (Aus), by Carnegie (Ire). (A$280,000 Ylg '14 INGEAS). O-Boniface Ho Ka Kui; B-Corumbene Stud; T-Caspar Fownes; J-Karis Teetan; HK$2,000,000.
Margins: HD, 3HF, HF. Odds: 1-5, 81-10, 38-5.
Also Ran: Healthy Happy (Aus), Ka Ying Star (GB), Mighty Giant (NZ). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
All Too Easy For Wellington in the Chairman's…
For some time, Hong Kong has been looking for its next superstar sprinter, and with Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) on the shelf and with time having been called on the local stint of The Everest winner Classique Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), those entered for Sunday's G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize had a chance to stake their claims. Despite a hot $2.20 (6-5) favourite in the form of G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Wellington (Aus), a son of Black Caviar (Aus)'s half-brother All Too Hard (Aus), rose to the challenge to lead home a 4-year-old sweep. Danon Smash, subsequent winner of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, never looked likely, finishing four lengths' sixth.
Settled midfield and one off the fence as Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) set a sedate tempo for the opening 400 metres, Wellington traveled sweetly outside of the rail-skimming Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) and about a length ahead of a niggled-at Danon Smash as the real running was about to begin. Eased to the outside of Voyage Warrior (Aus) (Declaration of War) at the quarter-mile marker, Wellington launched his rally down the centre of the course, grabbed a game Computer Patch with 50 metres to race and pulled clear. Sky Field was another nose back in third.
“He had a perfect trip,” said winning jockey Alexis Badel. “The horse was much more relaxed than last time. Honestly, the draw last time was a bit difficult and the ground was faster as well, so it was difficult for me to relax the horse without giving ground.
“Today, I had the perfect race, just close to the pace and more relaxed and when I put a little bit of pressure on my horse, he responded very well. To me, he's a top-class horse and he just proved it today,” Badel added.
Winner of three-from-four during his first preparation last season, Wellington romped over 1000 metres with 133 pounds on his back in Class 3 in December and defeated Computer Patch in Class 1 Mar. 13. He was most recently fifth to 178-1 Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) from a high draw in the G2 Sprint Cup Apr. 5.
Pedigree Notes:
Wellington is the 20th black-type winner, 14th at group level, and the fourth top-level winner for Vinery Australia's All Too Hard. For More Than Ready, who shuttles from WinStar Farm in the U.S. to Vinery for Southern Hemisphere stud duties, his daughters have now produced 108 stakes winners, 50 at the graded or group level and now 13 Grade I/Group 1 winners worldwide.
Wellington's dam, Group 3-placed in Australia, is a daughter of Danoise, who was acquired by breeder Kia Ora Stud for 240,000gns at the 2006 Tattersalls December Mares sale. His third dam, the German stakes-placed Solo de Lune was responsible for Irish highweight L'Ancresse (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), second in the 2003 G1 Darley Irish Oaks and a neck second to Islington (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) in that year's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita. L'Ancresse's son Master of Reality (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was a winner at Group 3 level in Ireland and a longshot third to Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the 2019 G1 Ascot Gold Cup.
Solo de Lune's daughter Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) was victorious in the Irish Oaks and runner-up in the G1 Investec Oaks and has gone on to be a high-quality producer, having accounted for G3 Chester Vase winner and Derby runner-up US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), MGSW Nelson (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and three other full stakes winners. Solo de Lune also bred G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Cerulean Sky (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), the dam of GSW & G1SP champion stayer Honolulu (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).
The 10-year-old Mihiri is the dam of a yearling filly by Star Witness (Aus) that fetched A$85,000 from Tricolours Racing and Syndications at the Inglis Classic Sale this past February and was bred back to All Too Hard last September.
WATCH: Wellington romps in the Chairman's Sprint Prize
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong CHAIRMAN'S SPRINT PRIZE-G1, HK$18,000,000 (£1,671,238/€1,917,592/A$2,994,224/US$2,319,704), Sha Tin, 4-25, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.64, gd.
1–WELLINGTON (AUS), 126, g, 4, by All Too Hard (Aus) 1st Dam: Mihiri (Aus) (GSP-Aus, $123,433), by More Than Ready 2nd Dam: Danoise (GB), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Solo de Lune (Ire), by Law Society 1ST STAKES WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (A$70,000 Ylg '18 MMGCYS). O-Mr & Mrs Michael Chen Wing On & Jeffrey Cheng Man Cheong; B-Kia Ora Stud Pty Ltd, David Paradise, Steve McCann (NSW); T-Richard Gibson; J-Alexis Badel; HK$10,260,000. Lifetime Record: 10-7-1-0, HK$18,424,690. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Computer Patch (Aus), 126, r, 4, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Girl Hussler (Aus), by Hussonet. (A$800,000 Ylg '18 INGEAS). O-Yeung Kin Man; B-Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd (NSW); T-Tony Cruz; J-Matthew Chadwick; HK$3,960,000.
3–Sky Field (Aus), 126, g, 4, 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$1,800,000.
Margins: 1HF, NO, 3/4. Odds: 29-10, 18-1, 11-1.
Also Ran: Voyage Warrior (Aus), Wishful Thinker (Aus), Danon Smash (Jpn), Stronger (Aus), Rattan (NZ), Big Party (Aus), Fat Turtle (Aus), Jolly Banner (Aus), Beauty Applause (Aus), Amazing Star (NZ). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Japanese-based gallopers have left their mark on FWD Champions Day at Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse, and as many as five raiders from the nearby island nation will attempt to continue that trend this weekend in front of as many as 6,000 racegoers as COVID restrictions ease in the region.
The day's richest event at HK$25 million is the G1 FWD QE II Cup (2000mT), in which Japan owns four of the seven entries with a cloud hanging over the participation of 2019 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase hero Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Reigning Filly Triple Crown winner and champion 3-year-old filly Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) looms the one to beat, even as she suffered a shock defeat as the $1.40 (2-5) favourite in the G2 Kinko Sho in her lone outing this season Mar. 14. Her stiffest challenge could come from Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), like Daring Tact winner of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) at home and exiting a tough third to Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410mT) at Meydan Mar. 27. Kiseki (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), whose sire took out this event in 2012, won the 2017 G1 Kikuka Sho (3000mT) and could be a pace factor, while Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) defends his title as one of three Hong Kong entries. Japanese runners have won the QE II five times since 2002 and twice in its last four runnings.
Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), who won the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint at longshot odds before adding last month's G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200mT), is clearly the one to beat from gate five in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, a race won just once by a foreign entry (Chautauqua {Aus}, 2016). It can be said that trainer Takayuki Yasuda, who also conditioned Danon Smash's two-time Hong Kong Sprint-winning sire, holds the 6-year-old in fairly high regard.
“Last December I honestly thought Danon Smash was not equal to the level of Lord Kanaloa at that stage, but after winning that race, he improved a lot,” Yasuda said. “I think Danon Smash has reached the same point as Lord Kanaloa now.”
With top sprinter Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) on the shelf, the locals have a chance to sort themselves out in the pecking order. Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) had won six of eight, but was no better than fifth to 178-1 Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) in the G2 Sprint Cup Apr. 5. Stronger (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) has just a single win in Class 2 to his credit this season, but was runner-up to Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) in a Class 1 at Happy Valley two back and missed by a short-head in the Sprint Cup last time.
Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) will be a long odds-on selection in the G1 FWD Champions Mile, a victory in which would take his current winning streak to 14. Only five others are signed on, including last year's winner Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), but Golden Sixty is likely to stay out of trouble and his late turn of foot should get the job done.
“I'm happy. I just had an easy gallop over six furlongs on him this morning and everything is good,” his regular rider Vincent Ho said. “There are no any concerns over him in any way. He feels very good.”
The last-start winner of the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup over 10 furlongs, Golden Sixty was for a time under consideration for the QE II, but lands in his sweet spot for this.
