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.

The post Hong Kong International Races ‘A Celebration of Champions’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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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.”

Stretch those legs GOLDEN SIXTY!

See firsthand the care @Vincenthocy gives his Hong Kong champion before heading out to work… @HKJC_Racing | #HKIR pic.twitter.com/s9vtNHHjfV

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) December 9, 2022

Japan Can Cap Magical Season at Sha Tin

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.

What a stunning photoby @ashbrennanphoto of our mouse #kosi
We absolutely love this https://t.co/d59HLWJ5mB

— (@meagherracingsg) December 9, 2022

Vase Sets The Table

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 | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/SNpPsUUnfL

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 8, 2022

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Globetrotting sensation Highland Reel (Ire) won the Hong Kong Vase in 2015 and 2017 before Mogul (GB) bolstered O'Brien's record in the race when landing the Group 1 contest in 2020.

Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who tasted high level success on the international circuit in 2020 by taking out the Breeders' Cup Mile, will be O'Brien's sole representative in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup.

Stone Age was last seen running a fine second in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, a race in which stablemate Broome could only manage a sixth-placed finish, but O'Brien has provided an upbeat bulletin on both horses ahead of Sunday's contest.

He said, “We were delighted with Stone Age at the Breeders' Cup, he ran a very good race and had progressed from his previous run at Ascot. 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 the Breeders' Cup, we thought the track, trip and ground should all suit him fine, we're all looking forward to it.”

Asked if Stone Age could stay in training next year, O'Brien added, “We think and hope he will. Obviously we think he's progressing and he definitely could progress again from three to four.”

Broome will be having his first taste of racing at Sha Tin on Sunday but O'Brien says he thinks the battle-hardened 6-year-old is up to the challenge.

He said, “We were very happy with his run in America, he was a bit slow away, got back a little bit and finished off very well. We had it in our heads that we might go to the 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.”

O'Brien will bid to land the Hong Kong Cup for the first time with Order Of Australia, who he says is capable of being effective over the 10-furlong trip.

“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. 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 [10 furlongs] will be fine.”

He added, “Obviously you need horses that don't mind travel, have experience and are still in good shape. It's a fantastic meeting, we speak to a lot of people who will tell you it's a great day. We always like to be involved and are delighted to be invited, especially for very competitive, high-class racing.”

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In the history of the HKIR, only one horse–Good Ba Ba (Lear Fan)–has managed to score three victories at the meeting. More history could be made this year when two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) and Japan's Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) shoot for their third victories in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile and G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, respectively.

Golden Sixty should be a warm favourite to complete the feat, having defeated California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile on his seasonal debut Nov. 20. Japan, which is set to be represented by 14 runners across the races, has won the Mile on four occasions and fields a team of three, led by last year's third Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Group 1 winner Schnell Meister (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The current connections of dual Group 1 winner Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) have also accepted, but her participation hinges on the results of the upcoming Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions, for which she holds an entry.

HK$30 million G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) selected runners:

Golden Sixty
California Spangle
Salios
Schnell Meister
Waikuku
Beauty Joy

Cont'd. pic.twitter.com/c8gFjNr2QO

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 23, 2022

Glory Vase could face as many as 10 while looking to add to his wins here in 2019 and again last year, but he is not the highest-rated in the event. Broome (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), one of three invitees from Aidan O'Brien, is two pounds clear of Glory Vase and Germany's G1 Grosser Preis von Baden hero Mendocino (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) on 118. Ballydoyle could also send out Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and recent GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Joao Moreira has already picked up two HKIR rides for Japan and could climb back aboard Glory Vase in what could be his final rides at Sha Tin, after officially forfeiting his licence Wednesday.

HK$22 million G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) selected runners:

Broome
Bubble Gift
Glory Vase
Mendocino
Botanik
Senor Toba
Panfield
Butterfield
Bolshoi Ballet
Win Marilyn
Stone Age

#グローリーヴェイズ #競馬 | #HKIR | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/2CqGFOzidL

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 23, 2022

Hong Kong's champion sprinter Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) tops a full field of 14 in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, but his participation is in some doubt after pulling up lame behind Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) in last weekend's G2 Jockey Club Sprint. One of Moreira's rides comes aboard Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), runner-up in last year's tragedy-marred Sprint, while G1 Sprinters' S. hero Gendarme (Kitten's Joy) also jets in. Lim's Kosciuszko (Aus) (Kermadec {NZ}) is Singapore's second highest-rated galloper and earns a spot in the field over three locally based runners.

HK$24 million G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) selected runners:

Wellington
Sky Field
Gendarme
Lucky Patch
Lucky Sweynesse
Super Wealthy
Naran Huleg
Stronger

Cont'd. pic.twitter.com/LLdvtZ7IC7

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 23, 2022

The G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup looms the race of the day, as the once-beaten Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) takes on a classy bunch over the 2000 metres. Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) dead-heated with Lord North (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in this year's G1 Dubai Turf and most recently set a searching gallop in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) before yielding late. Prior to that effort, the 5-year-old was reeled in by Jack d'Or (Jpn)–a son of 2016 Cup winner Maurice (Jpn)–in the G2 Sapporo Kinen. Japan is also represented by Classic winner Geoglyph (Drefong) and Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), sixth here last year and also a confirmed Moreira ride. Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}), best known for his 73-1 upset in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, lands here where he will try a grassy 10 furlongs for just the third time in his 23-race career. The 5-year-old was fourth in the 2020 G1 Irish Derby going 2400 metres.

HK$34 million G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) selected runners:

Panthalassa
Romantic Warrior
Jack d'Or
Order Of Australia
Russian Emperor
Danon The Kid

Cont'd. pic.twitter.com/ktWcVunxSw

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) November 23, 2022

Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “Once more, we are delighted that the quality of selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence and this is highlighted with strong groups from Japan and Europe headed for Hong Kong to compete against Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior and more.”

Worth a combined HK$110 million (£11.7m/€13.6m), the Longines Hong Kong International Races will take place in front of an expected crowd of better than 30,000 fans Sunday, Dec. 11 at Sha Tin Racecourse.

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“I think it will come too soon and there's no way I'm putting pressure on him at any stage,” the conditioner told At The Races's Luke Harvey. “He's swimming every day and doing loads of it and he's in the swimming pool with a high current and he goes through it like he's a jet plane. But I don't want to come back and go straight into having to gallop, gallop, and if I'm going to America for Breeders' Cup, I need to be 100% fit. It's coming quickly.”

Winner of the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot as a 3-year-old, Pyledriver earned a maiden Group 1 success in last year's G1 Coronation Cup on Derby weekend and closed the season with a runner-up effort in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase. A close fourth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic this past March, he was beaten into second in defence of his Coronation Cup before defying odds of 18-1 at Ascot last time.

A trip to the Far East appears in the offing once more for Pyledriver, all things equal.

“Our options have always been Breeders' Cup, Japan Cup or Hong Kong,” Muir said. “The Japan Cup may well come right, and if so, we'll nominate him for the Japan Cup, and if we get there we get there. If not, we've got Hong Kong, if not, we have to wait for the Sheema Classic.”

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“Everything's on the table,” Muir said. “He's definitely going to have a winter campaign and it's going to end up at the Sheema Classic before he comes home to have a little bit of a break. Let's keep our fingers crossed, we all know sport is a cruel thing at times but he loved it [on Sunday]. He's taken it in his stride.

“If it does happen to be the Saudi Cup [next] that will give him a couple of months. He's got plenty of time to freshen up for it so he should be spot on, then the Sheema Classic would be the big target after that. He'll come back and have a little break before we get him ready for the King George or the Juddmonte, one of those two, before the Arc.”

Pyledriver was beaten only by the defending winner Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who also won the race two years ago, in the Vase.

“My initial thought when they turned for home was that the French filly [Ebaiyra, third] was travelling very strongly, and then I saw her come off the bridle,” said Muir. “We were in a very difficult spot to see clearly what was happening. Obviously we were in their country with Covid [restrictions] and we were given areas that we were allowed in. I didn't see the other horse coming down the outside and inside the final furlong I thought 'we've done it!' Then the horse came over the top and your first thought is 'ah sugar, we just got beat!' But then you're so, so proud.”

Raced by the La Pyle partnership, Pyledriver won the G1 Coronation Cup in June but was forced to miss the rest of the summer with a setback. He returned a winner in Lingfield's Listed Churchill S. on Nov. 13 prior to his Hong Kong sojourn.

“We were absolutely delighted and very proud, we have been from the day at Salisbury [his debut] because he never, ever lets you down,” Muir said.

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On a day when Golden Sixty charged into Hong Kong racing history with a record 19th win in the jurisdiction with a triumphant defense of his LONGINES Hong Kong Mile crown, Mr. Engelbrecht-Bresges pointed to Hong Kong's ability to compete with racing super-powers with much larger horse populations.

“Hong Kong has a horse population of 1,350 horses and we hold our own against the best in the world, we compete successfully against countries with a horse population of 8,000 or 14,000,” Mr. Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “It is something Hong Kong can be very proud of.

“Golden Sixty is an incredible horse and he again showed today what a phenomenal horse he is. Francis Lui and Vincent Ho have done an incredible job and now he has bettered the record he shared with Beauty Generation and Silent Witness.”

Golden Sixty eclipsed world-class opposition to provide Hong Kong with pride and joy, Mr. Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

Caspar Fownes and Blake Shinn combined with Sky Field to win the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, while Japan struck twice through Glory Vase (LONGINES Hong Kong Vase) and Loves Only You (LONGINES Hong Kong Cup).

The pair had previously prevailed at the HKIR.

“Today is a day which had tremendous sporting success and this is something everybody in the Club should be proud of,” Mr. Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “There are people you do not see who make a big commitment to the Club and to this event.

“I am extremely grateful for their contributions and I commend them for their dedication.

“I also thank the Government for trusting us to stage LONGINES HKIR in such trying circumstances. The closed-loop racing bubble has worked extremely well.

“As wonderful as the racing was today, we also had the unfortunate and tragic circumstances in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, where there was an accident. Our thoughts are with the injured jockeys and we wish Zac Purton, Lyle Hewitson, and Yuichi Fukunaga a speedy recovery. Nobody likes to see these accidents and the owners of the horses involved are also in our thoughts.”

“If this incident did not happen, it would probably have been one of the greatest achievements of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, to pull something like this off. Sometimes you have setbacks and you have to overcome challenges, which we have always proven to do.

“My thanks go to all the trainers and jockeys, especially from overseas, who have gone through tremendous sacrifices. I want to apologize to the owners because when your horse runs you want to see it but they still supported us, which shows that we have that trust. For us, it is extremely important that we stage this event because, if we had not staged it, you lose your spot in the world scene. We are extremely proud that we have achieved this but there is definitely sadness which over-runs everything.”

Turnover for the meeting was a record HK$1.728 billion.

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It was a repeat of their 2019 success but achieved in different style as Moreira registered his seventh Hong Kong International win and his third in the Vase having also been successful on the Japanese-trained Satono Crown in 2016.

Glory Vase unleashed a withering burst from second last turning for home, in contrast to the handier stalking passage he enjoyed in 2019, to deny fairytale results for the trainers of the placegetters. Briton William Muir with his Hong Kong debut runner in second-placed Pyledriver and Frenchman Alain de Royer-Dupre – twice a HKIR winner – who prepared third place Ebaiyra, who'll be his final Hong Kong runner as the trainer retires at the end of the year.

Local challenger Reliable Team led, as expected, but was exposed early to significant pressure from Stay Foolish, the one other Japanese-trained runner, with Martin Dwyer – who won the Vase in 2004 – ensuring that Pyledriver enjoyed the slipstream run behind the pacemakers and the Muir-trained stayer looked the likely winner on straightening but could not hold out the indefatigable Glory Vase.

Dwyer was delighted with the performance of his mount but conceded, which was apparent for all to see, that the winner was simply too good.

“Really pleased, good run but I think the winner is very good,” Dwyer said.

Moreira, meanwhile, was understandably upbeat about the winner whom he described as his “best chance” in the International Races in the preamble to the meeting.

“No doubts about it, I did enjoy it so much,” Moreira said, “this win and everything in my life is to the honor of Jesus Christ, who has been in my life always and today has been a very good example.

“I felt Him with me and everything went as I expected. I had a smooth run, going to the fence and saving ground. I just made sure I got into the clear and I know he's a very strong horse at the finish and there was not a fight.

“He has proven to be the best horse today.”

Christophe Soumillon, who rode minor placegetter Ebaiyra, said the French filly performed creditably. “She ran well, she was a bit keen in the first part of the race. When we came to the last turn, I thought she would probably fight for the win but the last 200 (meters), she got tired.”

Last year's winner Mogul conceded meekly in the home straight after being poised to challenge coming to the home turn and jockey Ryan Moore said he was “disappointing”.

Glory Vase won by one length from Pyledriver with Ebaiyra a further two and a half lengths back in third. Glory Vase was competing in Hong Kong for the second time this year having finished second to Loves Only You in the G1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) in April.

Hong Kong racing continues this Wednesday, December 15, at Happy Valley.

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The Longines Hong Kong International Races meeting Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse has had much to overcome over the last few years. In 2019, massive social unrest–including a cluster at the Chinese University of Hong Kong a stone's throw from the track–left some doubt as to whether the event would go forward at all. At the end of the day, not only did it proceed, but it was supported to the tune of record turnover of HK$1.71 billion.

Twelve months ago, in the midst of a pandemic that was wreaking worldwide havoc, the Hong Kong Jockey Club established a travel bubble, allowing participants to travel to Hong Kong and to attend to their horses as normal while having their movement otherwise severely restricted. The show went on–albeit in front of an empty grandstand–and was an unmitigated success by any metric. Despite the discovery of a new COVID variant now making its way around, the fans–upwards of 18,000 of them after a bit more than 6,000 patrons saw Zac Purton take out Wednesday's Longines International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley–will return to Sha Tin Sunday afternoon for a day of top international racing, with horses from England, France, Ireland and Japan taking on the locals for record prizemoney of HK$100 million (£9.7 million/€11.3 million/A$17.9 million/US$12.8 million).

The winners of three of last year's HKIR return to the New Territories in search of a second crown. Mogul (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will attempt to become the fourth individual winner of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) for Team Ballydoyle and Aidan O'Brien, who sent out the globetrotting Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to score in 2015 and 2017. A clear three-length winner over Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) last year, the bay has been fractionally disappointing this term, his best effort being a third in the G1 Prix Ganay in early May. A tailed-off sixth behind the re-opposing Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) in the G1 Cornation Cup at Epsom in June, Mogul was most recently sixth in a soft-turf renewal of the G3 Prix de Reux at Deauville

“A few things haven't gone quite right for him through the summer, so he's been lightly raced,” jockey Ryan Moore told the HKJC's Steve Moran. “His work's been good at home and he looks great. We know he likes Sha Tin and he likes quick ground. I believe Aidan's very happy with him, so we're hoping that he can step back in the right direction.”

Pyledriver reminds one of the aforementioned Exultant, a staying type that is able to race handy, then finish off his races strongly. He was a beaten horse in the Coronation Cup in his second start this preparation, only to claw his way back underneath favoured Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Sidelined off that effort, the blaze-faced bay resumed in the Listed Churchill S. over the Lingfield all-weather while on trial for this race Nov. 13 and made an early move to the front before sticking on bravely to score by a half-length.

“It was a blow that Pyledriver missed the summer with a muscle problem, but sometimes things happen for a reason and maybe the best is yet to come,” jockey Martin Dwyer, who won the 2004 Vase with Phoenix Reach (Ire) (Alhaarth {Ire}), told HKJC writer Graham Cunningham.

Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is also in search of a second Vase, having been ridden to perfection by Joao Moreira two years ago. Only lightly raced for a 6-year-old with 16 starts under his belt, the handsome dark bay was a running-on second to compatriot Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 FWD QE II Cup (2000m) in April and has one start since, a third in the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers S. Sept. 26 in which he first made a run from near the tail to be up with the leaders while wide on the final bend and fought on to finish third. He's got the 'Magic Man' back in the irons, hasn't had to travel as far as his chief rivals and should be in the finish.

Pyledriver is a specimen! Here he is in all of his glory. @AtTheRaces #HKIR pic.twitter.com/IRZ6NnrN5f

— Declan Schuster (@SchusterDeclan) December 10, 2021

Champion S. Form on Display in the Cup…

Sunday's richest race is the 2000-metre G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, its HK$30 million pot making it the richest race in the world at the graded/group level on turf over the distance (the Mile and the Sprint can boast the same).

No European shipper has managed a victory in the Cup since Moore rode Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab) for Ed Dunlop in 2010. She was coincidentally the last 3-year-old to defeat her elders in the race, and a trio of raiders from that age group will start as outsiders Sunday. Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) and Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) made their respective last appearances in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot Oct. 16, with the former charging home into second while 1 1/2 lengths clear of a slightly hampered Mac Swiney in third. Dubai Honour earned his way into Champions Day by virtue of fast-finishing scores in the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville and the G2 Prix Dollar at a very soggy ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend Oct. 2. The faster underfoot conditions are of concern to his trainer.

“My fear, and I think it's [jockey] Tom [Marquand]'s fear, is the ground,” William Haggas told the HKJC's Darryl Timms. “Although he ran on and won at Newmarket on fast ground in July, he has run his best three races on soft ground. I never thought he had to have soft ground, but it's maybe that he does.”

Mac Swiney hails from the Jim Bolger yard, successful in 2004 with 3-year-old filly Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}), who was ridden to victory by the colt's jockey Kevin Manning.

Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), this year's GI Belmont Derby hero, rounds out the 3-year-old trio and exits a sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, but would need a giant step forward here.

Japan's Loves Only You is already a winner over Sunday's course and distance, having scooped the aforementioned QE II Cup in style this past April. Previously third in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, she was second to top Japanese 3-year-old filly Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen ahead of her history-making success in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar last month and did the bulk of her training at the Southern California track. She looms the one to beat, while Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who defeated recent G1 Japan Cup hero Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Osaka Hai in easy ground she quite enjoyed in April, will have her backers and should be handy to the pace.

Panfield (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky), whose Hong Kong Group 1 success came in last year's Champions & Chater Cup over an additional 400 metres, attacked the line when third in the 2021 BMW Hong Kong Derby going this trip and was the surprise winner first-up of the G3 Sha Tin Trophy H. over a mile Oct. 17. He can be forgiven for his seventh-place effort in a falsely run G2 Jockey Club Cup Nov. 21 and can factor on his best.

She came out last and had the track to herself… Loves Only You #ラヴズオンリーユー lengthens under her work rider. @netkeiba #競馬 | #HKIR #HKracing pic.twitter.com/VJtjbLVmzY

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 7, 2021

Golden Sixty Looking To Double Up in Mile…

With a successful defence of his title in Sunday' G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) would surpass two legends of the Hong Kong turf–Silent Witness (Aus) and Beauty Generation (NZ)–as the winningest horse in Hong Kong history with 19 victories. The Francis Lui trainee would also be taking his current winning streak to 16, which would take him to within one of Silent Witness's 17 on the bounce, a sequence that included the Hong Kong Sprint in 2003 and 2004. Golden Sixty swerved the early-season handicap group races, in which he'd have carried top weight, in favour of a single prep and he did what he had to do in the Nov. 21 G2 Jockey Club Mile, laying off a very slow pace before rattling off wicked closing sectionals, as is his custom.

“We are very happy with him, he came out of that first run very well–in that race over the first 800 [metres] the pace was very slow, that gave the other horses a little trouble, but Golden Sixty, he just has a very good turn of foot now–he knows where the finish is,” trainer Francis Lui told HKJC's Declan Schuster.

The Mile trophy has gone back to Japan twice in the last six runnings (Maurice {Jpn}, 2015; Admire Mars {Jpn}), 2019) and that country fields four of the 11 runners in Sunday's renewal. Of those, two are winners of the G1 Yasuda Kinen–Danon Kingly (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was a bit fortunate to best Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Tokyo feature this past June and who was runner-up in the G2 Mainichi Okan Oct. 10; and Indy Champ (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), who took the 2019 Yasuda Kinen, was seventh to Admire Mars in this two years ago and was a close fourth to Gran Alegria in the G1 Mile Championship Nov. 21. Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), a Group 1 winner at two, has form through Contrail and was a tugging sixth in the Mile Championship, while Vin de Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) will be the least-fancied of the quartet.

Longshot players might have a look at Excellent Proposal (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile last season and desperately unlucky not to win a Class 1 handicap prep over track and trip a fortnight ago.

Reigning G1 1000 Guineas heroine Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) added the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville over the summer, but would need to go to a new level to factor here.

Beast mode!

Golden Sixty stretches out this morning ahead of Sunday's (12 Dec) G1 @LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. @Vincenthocy | #HKIR #HKracing pic.twitter.com/zOltQJQw1w

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 10, 2021

Several Chances in the Sprint…

Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) overcame a horror draw in stall 14 to post a 21-1 upset in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, but it may be his fellow raiders that prove toughest to beat as he swansongs Sunday afternoon.

Pixie Knight (Jpn) is a son of Horse of the Year Maurice (Jpn), who sandwiched a victory in the 2016 G1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin between International Races glory in the Mile in 2015 and the Cup to close out his career in 2016. A Group 3 winner over a mile at the beginning of this year, Pixie Knight failed to land a blow in two subsequent appearances at the distance, including a 12th in the G1 NHK Mile Cup in May. He has been a different proposition altogether since returning to sprint trips, missing by a neck to Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) in the G2 Centaur S. Sept. 12 before reversing form with a decisive, albeit perfect-trip victory in the G1 Sprinters' S. at Nakayama Oct. 3. Danon Smash used a runner-up effort in the same event as a stepping-stone to his score here 12 months ago. No 3-year-old has ever won the Sprint.

Winner of the G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies over the mile in 2019, Resistencia is another to have blossomed at shorter trips. Also second to Danon Smash in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen last March, the Carrot Farm runner is versatile in her running style, but seems best suited as an on-pace runner.

Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) might prove most appealing to value shoppers. Victorious in the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize last April, he missed an October prep and raced first-up in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint Nov. 21, appearing to run out of condition at the 200 metres before finishing seventh to the progressive Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}). He is primed to go a much better race second off the layoff.

The hulking Naboo Attack (Aus) (Warhead {Aus}), Hong Kong's biggest horse at 1366 pounds, ran home nicely to snatch second money in the Jockey Club Sprint, but loses leading rider Zac Purton to Lucky Patch, while Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}), twice a beaten favourite in this race, makes his fourth appearance in it for one last shot at glory at age seven.

Schooling time!

Danon Smash #ダノンスマッシュ guides Pixie Knight #ピクシーナイト around the Parade Ring. @netkeiba #競馬 | #HKIR #HKracing pic.twitter.com/Zf4zfLHKqh

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 10, 2021

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Mogul, a 4-year-old son of Galileo, has not won in four starts since last year's Hong Kong success. However, that victory was his third from as many runs right-handed at 2400 metres on good ground and jockey Moore believes his 2021 performances can be excused.

“He's had a quiet year,” Moore said. “He started in Dubai and ran respectably and (then) ran a good race in Paris in the Prix Ganay (G1, 2100m) before the ground was very soft at Epsom for the Coronation and he didn't like it and it was the same again when he went back to Deauville.

“A few things haven't gone quite right for him through the summer, so he's been lightly raced. His work's been good at home and he looks great. We know he likes Sha Tin and he likes quick ground. I believe Aidan's very happy with him, so we're hoping that he can step back in the right direction.

“He showed a couple of times last year he's very talented. He's a handsome horse with a great pedigree and I still have faith that he can get back on track. Aidan would like to have put a run in him but that didn't happen but we think he's in good shape. I suppose Mogul would look our best chance on paper.”

Moore and O'Brien, of course, combined with the most recent multiple Vase winner Highland Reel who scored in 2015, was second in 2016 and won again in 2017 immediately before his retirement to stud.

Zoffany filly Mother Earth, a dual Group 1 winner in 2021, represents the stable in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) and Moore says she can be forgiven a last-start Breeders' Cup Mile failure and be competitive in what he describes as a “very strong” edition of the Group 1.

“She's a wonderful filly. She's strong and she's been very busy, on the go all year and late on as a two-year-old as well,” Moore said. “The race in Del Mar (G1 Breeders' Cup Mile), she drew in the middle and didn't get away that quickly, the pace was steady and it was impossible to make up ground in that very short straight there.

“She's been consistent all year. The race on Sunday is very strong with Golden Sixty and a live Japanese contingent. It's going to be tough for her but she's got a nice draw, gets a nice weight pull and she usually runs a good race. I think Sha Tin will suit and she'll enjoy the quick ground.” Moore said.

Bolshoi Ballet returns to 2000 meters (1 1/4 miles), after two failures at 2400 metres, in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and the drop in trip may be key to his prospects, according to the jockey.

“He won a Grade 1 in America at ten (furlongs) and his two wins at the start of the year were over the ten furlongs (2000 metres). He's obviously very happy at that distance. I had high hopes for him and (while) he hasn't run bad races lately I would like to have seen a little bit more from him.

“The quick ground will be in his favor and I don't think Sha Tin will be any problem. The two Japanese fillies (Lei Papale and Loves Only You) bring a high level of form and will be tough to beat but he (Bolshoi Ballet) is a nice type of horse and I still believe there's a good horse in there. He's a Group 1 winner and hopefully can run a respectable race,” Moore said.

Recently crowned LONGINES World's Best Jockey, Moore also picks up the ride on Hot King Prawn for trainer John Size in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m, six furlongs).

“He's very consistent horse and obviously a Group 1 winner around Sha Tin. He's got a nice draw. Pixie Knight might be a level above but I'm very much looking forward to riding him (Hot King Prawn). He's had his prep race and hopefully will come forward. He's in there with a definite chance,” Moore said.

The post O’Brien-Trained Mogul Returns To Defend His Title In Sunday’s Hong Kong Vase appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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