Golden Sixty's rehearsal for next month's G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile went according to plan on Sunday, Nov. 21 at Sha Tin as he brushed aside six rivals to claim the G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile.
Looking to defend his Hong Kong Mile crown at the 2021 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on Dec. 12, the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year extended his winning streak to 15 with a sublime last-to-first effort under jockey Vincent Ho.
Last defeated in July of 2019, the brilliant son of Medaglia d'Oro looked in fine fettle as he launched from his customary position to score by a length, clocking 1m 34.55s ahead of the dual G1-winning Waikuku and last season's BMW Hong Kong Derby hero Sky Darci, respectively.
Justifying 1.1 favoritism to win, Ho was pleased with his mount's first-up performance following three trials in preparation for his seasonal return today.
“He definitely wasn't at his best today and we're still building him up. After this race he should be pretty close to his top form,” Ho said. “We'll see how he pulls up and do some recovery work on him and get him ready for the Internationals.”
Sizzling late, the 6-year-old registered a slick 21.51s over the final 400m, the only horse in the contest to do so.
Today's triumph takes Golden Sixty to a record-equaling 18 career wins in Hong Kong, alongside only Beauty Generation and Silent Witness, while his sequence of 15 successive victories has him just two shy of Silent Witness' record-setting 17 in a row.
“It was a nice run, I think we both enjoyed that. It was the perfect draw on the outside with no speed in the race.
“They tried to pick up at the 600 (metre mark), bring the speed up, and that was good for us. He relaxed very well behind and just trucked through, saved some ground until the straight and he was able to cruise up easily and as usual, he did his job.
“He saw the winning post and he was sort of already 'job done' and he tried to slow down but I said 'just give me two extra strides, please',” Ho said.
Rated 131, Golden Sixty collected four mantles at last season's Champion Awards, named Horse of the Year, Champion Miler, Champion Middle-Distance Horse and Most Popular Horse.
“There were no concerns (of a slow pace harming his chances) because his sprint home as a miler can be 21-something [seconds] so in this field it was difficult for them to actually sprint with me,” Ho said.
“I knew he was going to be fresh, last season we started at 1400 (metres) and I knew the pace was going to be faster than today. First-up over 1600 (metres) when he's fresh and surely there's no pace, it's better to be slow but we know if I'm just at the back and nothing fires him up, he can relax very well and I can just wait to press the button,” Ho explained.
Trainer Francis Lui was equally as pleased with his star galloper's effort, whose victory today enhanced his all-time earnings to HK$80.633 million.
“I must say we were confident in this race but I'm happy to see him win again. This horse has got a very good fighting heart and once he relaxes he has a very good turn of foot,” Lui said.
Golden Sixty capped a G2 running double for Lui who earlier landed the BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) with Lucky Patch.
“Golden Sixty's morning trackwork has been quite impressive, he's more mature than last season. I discussed it with Vincent (Ho) and he seemed happy with the training and how he was behaving at trackwork,” Lui said.
In a race where the final time was outside the standard of Class 3 handicap horses and well over a full second slower than what typical group-level milers put up, reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) employed a galactic late turn of speed to win for the 15th straight time and for the 18th time in 19 career starts, successfully defending his title in Sunday's G2 BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin Racecourse. The 6-year-old has not tasted defeat in almost 2 1/2 years and has now drawn to within two of the legendary Silent Witness (Aus)'s record 17-race winning streak. The next hurdle is the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile in three weeks' time.
Wrangled back to last after leaving the widest berth in the field of seven, Golden Sixty, first-up since winning the G1 FWD Champions Mile in late April, fell into a good rhythm as Blake Shinn sent Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) through to lead through an opening 400 metres in :26.19 (standard :24.80), as Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) tracked from second. Positions were unchanged as Southern Legend took them into the final half-mile, having gone just :50.35 (standard :47.70) for the first 800, as Golden Sixty continued to race in a detached last.
The task at hand looked desperate midway on the turn, with the pace about to go in for the sprint home. But Vincent Ho, who always rides the gelding with supreme confidence, went for his mount in earnest at the top of the straight. He switched him to the grandstand side, was hand-ridden into the final furlong, went to Waikuku and fellow BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) at the 150 and edged clear to win cosily. Golden Sixty covered his final half-mile in a wicked :43.20, with a final 400 metres in an equally spectacular :21.59.
Golden Sixty now owns a record-equalling 18 Hong Kong wins, joining Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) and the aforementioned Silent Witness.
“He definitely wasn't at his best today and we're still building him up,” the winning rider said. “After this race he should be pretty close to his top form. We'll see how he pulls up and do some recovery work on him and get him ready for the Internationals.”
Golden Sixty had heretofore been allowed to do only the necessary in his morning trials, but had won no fewer than three of those heading into this comeback run.
“Golden Sixty's morning trackwork has been quite impressive, he's more mature than last season,” commented victorious trainer Francis Lui. “I discussed it with Vincent and he seemed happy with the training and how he was behaving at trackwork.”
Bred in Kentucky by Manganaro LLC, Gaudeamus was purchased by Newmarket International from the Lane's End consignment for $60,000 at the 2005 Keeneland September sale. Trained by Jim Bolger for his wife Jackie, Gaudeamus posted her most important victory in the 2006 G2 Debutante S. at Leopardstown. Bred to the late Pivotal (GB) to Southern Hemisphere time in 2007, Gaudeamus produced her first foal, a colt, for Bob and Rosemary Scarborough's Wood Nook Farm in the Australian winter of 2008.
Gaudeamus was purchased for A$160,000 by Josh Hutchins Bloodstock carrying the foal that would become Golden Sixty at the 2015 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. The mare's first Australian foal of note was Igitur, who went on to be third in the 2017 Listed Tasmanian Derby, and a few months later, Gaudeamus was bought back on a bid of A$75,000 in foal to Choisir at the National Broodmare Sale. That offspring, Rainbow Connection (Aus), was runner-up in the 2021 G3 Hawkesbury Guineas, and the decision to retain the mare looks sufficiently wise in retrospect.
Gaudeamus's yearling filly by Capitalist (Aus) sold to All Winners Thoroughbreds for A$425,000 at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast sale. Gaudeamus missed to Trapeze Artist (Aus) for 2020 and was bred to Wootton Bassett (GB) late last month. This is also the female family of champion Bosra Sham (Woodman), her champion full-brother Hector Protector and French Classic winner Shanghai (Procida).
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK PRIVATE WEALTH JOCKEY CLUB MILE-G2, HK$4,750,000 (£453,485/€540,386/A$842,728/US$609,666), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:34.55, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 128, g, 6, 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 K W; J-Vincent Ho C Y; HK$2,707,500. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year, Ch. Middle Distance Horse, Ch. 4yo, Ch. Miler & MG1SW-HK, 19-18-0-0, HK$80,633,100. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus) (Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $137,392; and Rainbow Connection (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), GSP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Waikuku (Ire), 123, g, 6, Harbour Watch (Ire)–London Plane (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (€33,000 Ylg '16 TISEP). O-Jocelyn Siu Yang Hin Ting; B-Shane Molan; T-John Size; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,045,000.
3–Sky Darci (NZ), 123, g, 5, Darci Brahma (NZ)–Strictly Maternal (NZ), by O'Reilly (NZ). (NZ$160,000 Ylg '18 NZBJAN). O-Jessica Kwan Mun Hang; B-M W Freeman & D G Price; T-Caspar Fownes; J-Joao Moreira; HK$546,250.
Margins: 1, 1HF, 1. Odds: 15-100, 14-1, 9-1.
Also Ran: More Than This (GB), Southern Legend (Aus), Champion's Way (Aus), Preciousship (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Lucky Patch Train Rolls On In Jockey Club Sprint…
For the second straight time at group level, Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}), bet down in the late stages, claimed the scalps of some higher-profile sprinters, punching his ticket to the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint with a mild upset in Sunday's G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint.
Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and favoured Courier Wonder (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}) eyeballed one another early on, as the in-form Jerry Chau settled the outposted Lucky Patch, winner of the Oct. 17 G2 Premier Bowl H. when last seen, about midfield and racing mostly with cover through the opening 600 metres. Traveling with his head on his chest on the back of Premier Bowl runner-up Super Wealthy (Aus) (Epaulette {Aus}) around the turn, Lucky Patch went on the attack four off the inside in upper stretch, gathered up a wayward Courier Wonder with a half-furlong to race and held sway as the hulking Naboo Attack (Aus) (Warhead {Aus}) made belated progress down the centre. Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) boxed on for third. The comebacking Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}), last year's G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize hero, raced near the back of the pack and came home seventh, beaten three lengths.
“It's my best win in Hong Kong,” said winning jockey Jerry Chau, who is a graduate of the HKJC Apprentice Jockeys' School like Vincent Ho. “We were lucky, they went fast early and I had a chance to get in and get cover. It's very exciting.”
Pedigree Notes:
Lucky Patch is one of three stakes winners, two at group level, for his sire, a son of Fastnet Rock (Aus) who stands at Westbury Stud in New Zealand. Gerry Harvey's Barramul Stud acquired Lucky Patch's dam in foal to Mossman (Aus) for A$50,000 at the 2011 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Gould is also the dam of Lucky Patch's 4-year-old full-sister Escudo (NZ), the 3-year-old filly Kattegat (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) and a yearling colt by the latter sire. She was bred back to El Roca.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK PRIVATE BANKING JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT-G2, HK$4,750,000 (£453,485/€540,386/A$842,728/US$609,666), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:07.98, gd.
1–LUCKY PATCH (NZ), 123, g, 5, by El Roca (Aus) 1st Dam: Gould (Aus), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 2nd Dam: Charming (Aus), by Sir Tristram (Ire) 3rd Dam: Captivation (Aus), by Vain (Aus)
(A$40,000 Ylg '18 MMJUN). O-Patch Syndicate; B-G Harvey; T-Francis Lui KW; J-Jerry Chau C L; HK$2,707,500. Lifetime Record: 17-7-3-3, HK$14,106,540. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Naboo Attack (Aus), 123, g, 5, Warhead (Aus)–Commanding Queen (Aus), by Commands (Aus). O-Cheung Yeuk Lee; B-Windemere Stud (Qld); T-David Hayes; J-Zac Purton; HK$1,045,000.
3–Sky Field (Aus), 123, g, 5, 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$546,250.
Margins: 3/4, HF, 1. Odds: 9-2, 71-10, 29-5.
Also Ran: Computer Patch (Aus), Courier Wonder (NZ), Stronger (Aus), Wellington (Aus), Hot King Prawn (Aus), Super Wealthy (Aus), Amazing Star (NZ). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Reliable Team All The Way In Jockey Club Cup…
The hard-knocking Reliable Team (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) was given a positive ride by HKJC Apprentice Jockeys' School grad Derek Leung, got away with obscenely slow sectionals and, unsurprisingly, had enough in the tank to cause a 16-1 upset in Sunday's G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup.
The complexion of the 10-furlong lead-up into the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup changed markedly when presumed pace player Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) missed the kick, allowing Reliable Team to bowl along through a Standardbred-like :27.47, prompting HKJC commentator Mark McNamara to point out that “the Shing Mun river is flowing faster” than the Cup field going past the 1400-metre point. It was at about that stage that Matthew Chadwick allowed Ka Ying Star, trying the 10 furlongs of this as opposed to the Mile, to stride up to be a more forward factor as the 800 metres was posted in :53.95. Niggled along into the final half-mile–the six furlong split was a nearly unbelievable 1:19.17–ReliableTeam sprinted when asked and kicked on gamely to just hold a late lunge from Ka Ying Star. Favoured Glorious Dragon (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) raced near the tail and closed off well for third, while second choice Panfield (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky) weakened to last after sitting up on whatever pace there was, though was beaten just 2 1/2 lengths.
“We were always trying to get him to lead in the race and he got a bit lucky, there was no pressure on us to go too quick,” Leung said. “So, the horse was quite relaxed and he's very fit. Step by step, we build the speed up. He responded very well and I think we were very lucky.”
Pedigree Notes:
Bought back when reserved for NZ$50,000 at the 2017 NZB Select Yearling Sale, Reliable Team improved by leaps and bounds to fetch NZ$430,000 at that year's NZB Ready To Run Sale (under-tack breeze, see below), the same event that produced Golden Sixty (NZ$300,000). Reliable Team is the 18th black-type winner and 13th group winner for Reliable Man, a son of Dalakhani (Ire) who stands alongside Lucky Patch's sire at Westbury Stud.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong BOCHK JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$4,750,000 (£453,485/€540,386/A$842,728/US$609,666), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:03.86, gd.
1–RELIABLE TEAM (NZ), 123, g, 6, by Reliable Man (GB) 1st Dam: Stella Doro (NZ), by Faltaat 2nd Dam: Lady Joelyn (NZ), by Noble Bijou 3rd Dam: Princess Camille (NZ), by Skyhawk (GB) 1ST STAKES WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. (NZ$50,000 RNA Ylg '17 NZBFEB; NZ$430,000 2yo '17 NZBRTR). O-Nova Stella Syndicate; B-Tullycrine Ltd; T-Frankie Lor F C; J-Derek Leung K C; HK$2,707,500. Lifetime Record: 28-7-3-5, HK$12,765,800. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ka Ying Star (GB), 123, g, 6, Cityscape (GB)–Casual Glance (GB), by Sinndar (Ire). O-Leung Shek Kong; B-Kingsclere Stud; T-Tony Cruz A S; J-Matthew Chadwick; HK$1,045,000.
3–Glorious Dragon (Ire), 123, g, 6, Teofilo (Ire)–Tipperary Honor (Fr), by Highest Honor (Fr). (€235,000 Ylg '16 ARQOCT). O-LWF Family Syndicate; B-Team Hogdala AB; T-Francis Lui K W; J-Zac Purton; HK$546,250.
Margins: NK, 1 1/4, NO. Odds: 16-1, 28-5, 9-10.
Also Ran: Columbus County (NZ), Russian Emperor (Ire), Savvy Nine (Fr), Panfield (Chi). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
The 2021 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races has attracted a galaxy of global and local stars with 135 world-class horses included in a glittering entry, with 57 individual Group 1 winners from nine countries or regions eyeing the lucrative four-race showcase on Dec. 12.
Now worth a mammoth HK$100 million (US$12.86 million), the four G1s on offer are the HK$30 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$24 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$20 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
While the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to create uncertainty around many international sporting events, the strength of this year's entries for the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races again reaffirms the importance of the end-of-year spectacular to horsemen from around the world with the nomination of heavyweights Golden Sixty, Gran Alegria, Verry Elleegant, Mac Swiney, Tarnawa, Loves Only You, Hot King Prawn, Danon Smash, Nature Strip, Snowfall, Love and Sealiway.
Japan heads the overseas representation with 40 of the 90 entries received from abroad, while Hong Kong has 45 contenders listed.
Hong Kong's Horse of the Year Golden Sixty headlines a fascinating list of entries. The brilliant son of Medaglia d'Oro hasn't tasted defeat in over two years and will look to defend his title in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile after blitzing last year's contest.
A strong contingent from Aidan O'Brien's all-conquering Ballydoyle has been entered with the Irish mastermind fielding 10 nominations. Featured is Mogul, last year's LONGINES Hong Kong Vase hero, while his brilliant Epsom Oaks winning duo, Love and Snowfall, could also feature. Love claimed the Classic at Epsom Downs by nine lengths in 2020, while Snowfall took it up a notch with a commanding 16-length triumph this year.
Order Of Australia, Bolshoi Ballet, Japan, Mother Earth, Broome, La Joconde and Santiago also feature for O'Brien, the most single entries of any handler for this year's flagship event as he looks to add to his three Hong Kong International Races victories.
Japan took two out of the four features last year and the 'Land of the Rising Sun' has once again reiterated their affinity for Hong Kong with a high-class list of entrants, including Danon Smash, last year's winner of the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, while Loves Only You who sealed FWD Champions Day success back in April, could return for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
Gran Alegria, a five-time G1 winner from 1200m to 1600m in Japan, is included and could make her first tilt abroad. Glory Vase, winner of the 2019 Hong Kong Vase, has thrown his hat in the ring as have Salios, Lei Papale, Indy Champ and Lauda Sion.
LONGINES Hong Kong Cup
Loves Only You and Vincent Ho charged to a brilliant win in the G1 FWD QEII Cup on FWD Champions Day and Yoshito Yahagi is after more success at Sha Tin with his two-time G1-winnning mare. Her name sits alongside that of seven from trainer Aidan O'Brien, who has Bolshoi Ballet, Japan, Love, Broome, Snowfall, La Joconde and Santiago all entered.
Joining Loves Only You from Japan could be Lei Papale, who was undefeated across her first six starts which included a tough G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) success before her third-placed effort to Chrono Genesis in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) as could Gibeon, Persian Knight and Cafe Pharoah.
Gran Alegria holds an option for the 10-furlong test, as do World Premiere, Glory Vase and Curren Bouquetd'or.
While also from Ireland is Tarnawa, H H Aga Khan IV's top-class mare holds an entry for both the Cup and the Vase. She's a three-time G1 winner who finished a close-up second in this year's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m).
France is no stranger to success in the Cup with three wins in the 10-furlong showdown thanks to Jim And Tonic (1999), Pride (2006) and Vision d'Etat (2009). This year, their assault could be spearheaded by Sealiway, winner of the British Champion Stakes earlier this month.
Trainer Chris Waller has a host entries across the board with two for the Cup, headlined by Verry Elleegant, his prolific G1 winner and last year's champion of the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m). She was crowned Australia's Racehorse of the Year (2020/21) and could bolster her resume, while Waller's other mare Hungry Heart is entered.
The home team's defence features Furore, the 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) hero, Glorious Dragon and Southern Legend, while Panfield, winner of the G1 Standard Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in May, holds an option for both the Cup and the Vase.
Channel Cat – who races in the iconic Calumet Farm silks – is entered for American handler Jack Sisterson. The six-year-old claimed the G1 Man o' War Stakes (2200m) at Belmont Park in May, this year.
LONGINES Hong Kong Mile
Golden Sixty, winner of his last 14 consecutive races, headlines the entries for the Mile and will spearhead the local brigade. Francis Lui's six-year-old will look to defend his crown in the race, while the home team's entries also includes G1 winners Southern Legend and Waikuku, while 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner Sky Darci is expected to have a crack as is Ka Ying Star and More Than This.
Leading the assault from overseas is Gran Alegria, Kazuo Fujisawa's crack mare and top-class winner over 1200m and 1600m. She claimed three consecutive G1s through 2020, kicking off her streak with a Yasuda Kinen (1600m) triumph ahead of the phenomenal Almond Eye.
A G1 winner in the United States of America, Aidan O'Brien has his Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia entered for a second crack at Hong Kong glory, while Mother Earth, winner of this year's G1 Prix Rothschild (1600m) at Deauville is entered.
Also from Ireland, Jim Bolger's crack chestnut Mac Swiney could make his way to the 'Far East' for the Mile, while also holding a nomination for the Cup too. The son of New Approach is a two-time G1 winner and he could too be joined from Ireland by Pearls Galore for Paddy Twomey and the Joseph O'Brien-trained State Of Rest, winner of the G1 W.S. Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday (23 October) and also the G1 Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (1911m).
Twice runner-up to Japan's Triple Crown-winning Contrail, Salios – an exceptional three-year-old last year in his own right – holds an entry for the Mile and the Cup. Indy Champ who campaigned to Hong Kong for a luckless seventh in this race two years ago when join equal favourite will look to return for another tilt at redemption, while Lauda Sion, Vollkommen, Grenadier Guards, Lotus Land and Schnell Meister hold options.
LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint
Champion Sprinter Hot King Prawn heads the Hong Kong nominations, along with G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) hero Wellington, last-start G2 Premier Bowl (1200m) winner Lucky Patch as well as a host of younger exceptionally gifted adversaries: Sky Field, Naboo Attack and Courier Wonder.
Bolstering the home team is Stronger, Computer Patch and Super Wealthy with one-time boom sprinter Aethero adding intrigue after lengthy stint on the sidelines.
Last year's winner, Danon Smash is entered to defend his title and win a second LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint just like his sire, Lord Kanaloa who did so in 2012 and 2013. But he might not be alone from Japan, with Pixie Knight, winner of the G1 Spinters Stakes (1200m) pitted to take his exploits abroad, while Diatonic, Curren Moe, Resistencia and Shivaji also included.
Australian speedster Nature Strip, a sharp six-time G1-winning sprinter who recently claimed The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick, is one of four entrants from Down Under, including Eduardo who finished third to Nature Strip in that race, while from Ireland trainer Adrian McGuinness has last-start G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp (1000m) winner A Case Of You entered.
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase
Aidan O'Brien has the most LONGINES Hong Kong Vase wins in history and the Irish legend will look to further enhance that record with Mogul – last year's winner of the race – leads a charge of seven other possibilities into the 12-furlong showdown.
O'Brien's hand could feature Bolshoi Ballet, Japan, Love, Snowfall, Broome, La Joconde and Santiago – all of which are also optioned for the Hong Kong Cup. While Hong Kong's leading hope is G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup winner, Panfield, who last-start returned in fine fettle with victory in the G2 Oriental Watch 60th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy over a mile. The Chilean Triple Crown winner also holds and option for the Cup.
Against O'Brien's cavalry could be no shortage of talent; last-start G1 British Champion Stakes winner Sealiway is entered for Cedric Rossi, Ebaiyra is one of two for Alain de Royer-Dupre along with Valia, while Magny Cours could represent Andre Fabre, France's iconic 24-time champion trainer. Also for France is Sweet Lady, Eudaimonia, Monty and Bubble Gift.
Frenchman Christophe Clement – who now trains in the United States – has entered Gufo, winner of the G1 Sword Dancer Stakes (2400m) at Saratoga in August this year.
Japan has had no shortage of Vase winners in recent times and their charge could be led by Glory Vase, winner of this race two years ago, while Titleholder swept into calculations with victory in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) over 3000m on Sunday. The pair could be joined by Curren Bouquetd'or, World Premiere, Satono Saltus, Meiner Virtus, Uberleben, and Authority could join him.
Great Britain has tasted significant success in the Vase and they have Away He Goes, Hukum, Spanish Mission and Pyledriver, a last-start G1 winner in the Coronation Cup over the Vase distance 2400m at Epsom Downs.
Germany's sole entry – Sisfahan – could bring exceptional Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe form lines having finished second to Arc hero, Torquator Tasso in last month's G1 Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m).
Like last year, the staging of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races will be subject to approval by the Hong Kong SAR Government.
Zac Purton has crowned a week of stellar milestones by becoming the first rider in history to partner nine Hong Kong International Races winners after Japanese mare Normcore upstaged Win Bright and Magical in the HK$28 million G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.
Purton, 37, gained the ride on the grey after Christophe Soumillon was forced to forfeit the mount after failing to secure an unconditional release from quarantine following a COVID test on Thursday.
On Wednesday at Happy Valley, Purton became only the second jockey after Douglas Whyte to ride 1,200 winners in Hong Kong.
The reigning jockey champion, Purton was jubilant after breaking the Hong Kong International Races' tie he had shared with Frenchman Gerard Mosse after Normcore outsprinted fellow Japan's Win Bright and Ireland's Magical.
“It's something I'm very proud of, it's a great achievement,” he said.
“To also now be the only jockey to win the full set of international races twice is also for myself somewhat rewarding.
“Hopefully, I can just can continue to have luck at this meeting going forward.
“It's been a great week, I'm very thankful that I get these opportunities.”
Purton was grateful to regain the ride on Normcore, whose previous G1 triumph came in the Victoria Mile when partnered by another Australian, Damian Lane, in May 2019.
“Initially we sort of confirmed the ride and then when it was announced Christophe was coming, they changed their mind. They're entitled to do that,” Purton said.
“It was what it was, I just had to accept that. Thankfully, it came back.”
Purton has been synonymous with Hong Kong International Races success with eight previous triumphs on the jurisdiction's most prestigious day.
The New South Welshman savored Vase glory with Dominant (2013) and Exultant (2018), the Mile with Ambitious Dragon (2012), Beauty Only (2016) and Beauty Generation (2018), Sprint with Aerovelocity (2014 and 2016) and the Cup with Time Warp in 2017.
Purton stalked the 2019 Cup winner Win Bright in the run before peeling widest in a riveting global contest.
Japan's three runners finished in the top four, with Danon Premium trailing Magical to the line.
“She (Normcore) had to fight for it, Win Bright gave a really sharp kick and his love for Sha Tin was starting to show through,” Purton said.
“But she was determined and inch by inch, she just kept putting herself in the frame.”
Trained by Kiyoshi Hagiwara, Normcore ran fourth to Admire Mars in last year's Hong Kong Mile.
Hagiwara has handled several topliners since taking out a trainers' licence in 1996, including Logi Universe, Le Vent Se Leve and Obruchev.
Ryan Moore said a slackening mid-race tempo wrecked Magical's chances of becoming the first horse trained by Aidan O'Brien to snare eight G1s.
“There was a lack of pace so therefore I couldn't go where I wanted to go,” Moore said.
“She ran well.”
Normcore is the first filly or mare to win a HKIR since Ed Dunlop's champion Snow Fairy took the Cup in 2010.
