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Two-Time Breeders’ Cup Turf Runner-Up Magical Could Make History In Dec. 13 Hong Kong Cup

Magical is among a stellar line-up of 45 horses selected for the HK$95 million (US$12.26 million) LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday, Dec. 13.

Aidan O'Brien's superstar mare is just one of 17 Group 1 winners set to compete. The globetrotting daughter of Galileo is bidding to make history by becoming O'Brien's most prolific Group 1 winner with eight top-level wins – the most of any O'Brien-trained flat horse – and she is the headliner among a brilliant contingent of 15 overseas raiders aiming at this year's HKIR.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has created uncertainty around many international racing events, the strength of the international presence in this year's entries confirms that the Sha Tin Showpiece remains high on the agenda of international horsemen.

The LONGINES HKIR is the sport's global year-end spectacular and features the HK$28 (US$3.61) million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m, about 1 1/4 miles), the HK$25 ($US3.23) million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m, about one mile), the HK$22 (US$2.84) million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m, about six furlongs), and the HK$20 ($US2.58) million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m, about 1 1/2 miles). The Cup, Mile and Sprint are the world's richest G1 races on turf over their respective distances.

Magical is one of five in a powerful cohort from O'Brien, and victory in the Hong Kong Cup would set her apart from fellow O'Brien-trained seven-time G1 winning champions Rock Of Gibraltar, Minding, Yeats and Highland Reel as the Irish handler's most prolific winner at the top level.

Also among O'Brien's Ballydoyle brigade is G1 Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia (Mile). Four-time G1-placed Lope Y Fernandez also heads for the Hong Kong Mile after a strong third in that Keeneland race, while this year's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Peaceful takes to the Cup. G1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Mogul eyes the Vase, and victory would give O'Brien a record-setting third win in the Vase following the heroics of Highland Reel (2015 and 2017).

The exciting fields for the four Group 1 features include big-name Japanese contenders: the six-strong squad from Japan includes last year's Hong Kong Cup winner Win Bright, unbeaten at Sha Tin having also claimed the 2019 FWD QEII Cup, while Admire Mars returns to defend his Hong Kong Mile crown.

Also from Japan, G1 winning sprinter Tower Of London features, as does Danon Smash, who returns for a second tilt at the Hong Kong Sprint. Last year's G1 Victoria Mile winner Normcore features in the Cup along with Danon Premium, a G1 winner as a two-year-old and runner-up to Almond Eye in last year's G1 Tenno Sho Autumn.

Singapore will have sole representation in the form of two-time SIN G1 winner Inferno in the Sprint. The talented speedster has won eight of his nine career starts, and his Lion City Cup (1200m, about six furlongs) success came in race-record time (1:08.28), a half-second outside the course record set by dual Hong Kong Sprint winner (2007 and 2009) Sacred Kingdom in the 2009 KrisFlyer International Sprint over the same distance at Kranji Racecourse.

France has two entries, spearheaded by last-start G1 QIPCO British Champion Stakes runner-up Skalleti who is entered for the Cup. A 12-time winner from 16 starts for up-and-coming trainer Jerome Reynier, the five-year-old has three G2s and two G3s to his name, including a defeat of the subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass at Deauville in August, while stablemate and 2019 Bahrain International Trophy winner Royal Julius joins him but contests the Vase.

A strong Hong Kong team is headed by Golden Sixty, whose G2 Jockey Club Mile success on Sunday (Nov. 22) made him only the fourth horse in Hong Kong racing history to win 10 consecutive races after Silent Witness, Beauty Generation and Co-Tack. Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year Exultant and dual previous Horse of the Year Beauty Generation bolster local hopes as they bid for their second and third respective wins in the Vase and the Mile, while top-level winners Waikuku and Southern Legend will also be in action.

The 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Furore will take to the Hong Kong Cup after defeating Exultant in the G2 Jockey Club Cup, while steely grey Hot King Prawn will face off with fellow grey Classique Legend, who arrives in Hong Kong rated 125 on the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings as the joint-highest rated sprinter in the world. He has joined the Caspar Fownes yard after an impressive conquest against seven individual G1 winners in the 2020 The Everest at Randwick Racecourse.

Andrew Harding, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Racing, said: “The LONGINES Hong Kong International Races is firmly established among a select handful of the world's greatest international racing occasions. To have entries of this calibre in any year would be notable but this year's standard is remarkable given the challenge of the pandemic and all its attendant travel and quarantine issues.

“We are delighted that the quality of the selected runners for this year's LONGINES Hong Kong International Races is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence and Magical's participation is particularly exciting when you think of the significant slice of history that she could create for Aidan O'Brien.

“Exultant will look to recapture his Vase title, while the old marvel Beauty Generation adds intrigue to the Mile. Add in some top-class Japanese raiders and our leading local hope Golden Sixty and everything surely points to a thrilling afternoon of sport on Dec. 13.”

The post Two-Time Breeders’ Cup Turf Runner-Up Magical Could Make History In Dec. 13 Hong Kong Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘Sixty’ Shines as Jockey Club Day Produces Formful Results

Prepping for his Group 1 debut in the Longines Hong Kong Mile in three weeks’ time, Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) confirmed his status as the top horse in Hong Kong with yet another breathtaking victory–his 13th from 14 career runs–in Sunday’s G2 Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin Racecourse. Last year’s Classic Series sweeper was simultaneously winning his 10th race on the hop, joining the likes of his contemporary Beauty Generation (NZ), Co-Tack (Aus) and Silent Witness (Aus) to take as many consecutive races. In the day’s other main events, fellow Hong Kong Derby winner Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) defeated Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) and Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}), another paternal grandson of the legendary Lonhro (Aus), returned to winning ways in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m).

Miles The Best…

Sent off the $1.15 mortal in the Jockey Club Mile, Golden Sixty landed in midfield and switched off beautifully for his jockey Vincent Ho, as Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) galloped them along at a fairly leisurely clip for the opening 800 metres. Patiently handled on the circle, Golden Sixty was produced four wide off the home corner, split Mighty Giant (NZ) (Power {GB}) to his inside and Champion’s Way (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) to his outside and flew his final quarter mile in :21.89 to score with a fair bit of authority. Ka Ying Star held for second over the 8-year-old Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}).

Ho believes Golden Sixty is still a horse on the rise–a scary proposition, to be sure.

“He felt really good and sprinted home really well,” the homegrown rider told HKJC’s Steve Moran, “The main goal was to settle him as normal and to relax him and he hit the line strongly. He will always produce a really good last quarter. I was happy with how he raced, he’s getting quieter and he knows what’s going on now.”

Though he holds an entry for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, Golden Sixty will remain at the mile for International Day Dec. 13.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
JOCKEY CLUB MILE-G2, HK$4,500,000 (£436,925/€489,493/
A$794,645/US$580,459), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:32.91, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 123, g, 5, by Medaglia d’Oro
1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846),
by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Leo’s Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew
3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg ’17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo ’17 NZBRTR).
O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld);
T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$2,565,000. Lifetime Record:
Ch. 4yo-HK, 14-13-0-0, HK$38,695,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus)
(Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $120,093. Werk Nick Rating: A+++
*Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ka Ying Star (GB), 123, g, 5, Cityscape (GB)–Casual Glance
(GB), by Sinndar (Ire). O-Leung Shek Kong; B-Kingsclere Stud;
T-Tony Cruz; J-Chad Schofield; HK$990,000.
3–Southern Legend (Aus), 128, g, 8, Not A Single Doubt (Aus)–
Donna’s Appeal (Aus), by Carnegie (Ire). (A$280,000 Ylg ’14
INGEAS). O-Boniface Ho Ka Kui; B-Corumbene Stud (NSW);
T-Caspar Fownes; J-Karis Teetan; HK$517,500.
Margins: 1HF, NK, 2. Odds: 15-100, 89-10, 17-1.
Also Ran: Mighty Giant (NZ), Champion’s Way (Aus), Harmony Victory (Brz), Simply Brilliant (GB).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

WATCH: Golden Sixty imperious in the Jockey Club Mile

Hot King Prawn Doubles Up in JC Sprint…

The likeable Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) won the 2018 G2 Jockey Club Sprint and was heavily favoured to take the next step in the International Sprint, only to fade tamely into ninth. Second to his now-retired stablemate Beat The Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) in last year’s Sprint, the 6-year-old will look to go one better next month following a tough-as-teak performance Sunday.

Ridden for at least a bit of pace by Joao Moreira, Hot King Prawn was in the firing line early but ultimately eased back to sit fourth, as Big Time Baby (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) cut out the running outside favoured Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Three deep and without the benefit of cover rounding the bend, Hot King Prawn went on the attack four off the inside at the 400m, grinded his way to the front with less than a furlong to race and gutted it out. Computer Patch stayed on from second ahead of Rattan (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), who missed the break and hit the line strongly.

“He’s six years old this season, but sometimes our good horses can be that age and still do their best,” winning conditioner John Size told HKJC’s David Morgan. “Hong Kong is a place where mature horses can have an advantage sometimes. He had one start before the Hong Kong Sprint last season because he was coming back off a colic operation, so he was a little bit disadvantaged, so this time he’s probably had a more comfortable preparation.”

Hot King Prawn faces a clash with The Everest hero and recent Hong Kong import Classique Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) in the Hong Kong Sprint.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT-G2, HK$4,500,000 (£436,925/€489,493/
A$794,645/US$580,459), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08, gd.
1–HOT KING PRAWN (AUS), 123, g, 6, by Denman (Aus)
1st Dam: De Chorus (Aus), by Unbridled’s Song
2nd Dam: Val de Grace (Aus), by Centaine (Aus)
3rd Dam: Renasans (NZ), by Ashabit (GB)
(A$90,000 Ylg ’16 INGFEB). O-Lau Sak Hong; B-Torryburn Stud
(NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$2,565,000. Lifetime
Record: MG1SP-HK, 21-11-5-2, HK$27,247,300. *1/2 to Siren’s
Fury (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), MGSW-Aus, $379,420. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating:
D+.
2–Computer Patch (Aus), 123, r, 4, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Girl
Hussler (Aus), by Hussonet. (A$800,000 Ylg ’18 INGEAS).
O-Yeung Kin Man; B-Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty
Ltd (NSW); T-Tony Cruz; J-Karis Teetan; HK$990,000.
3–Rattan (NZ), 123, g, 7, Savabeel (Aus)–Grand Princess (Aus),
by Last Tycoon (Ire). (NZ$150,000 Ylg ’15 NZBJAN). O-Wong
Ting Bor; B-M H S & S H R Davison & Mrs M P Schick; T-Richard
Gibson; J-Antoine Hamelin; HK$517,500.
Margins: 3/4, NK, NK. Odds: 29-10, 13-10, 49-1.

Also Ran: Voyage Warrior (Aus), Big Party (Aus), Fat Turtle, Stronger (Aus), Amazing Star, Wishful Thinker (Aus), Big Time Baby (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

WATCH: Hot King Prawn wins a second Jockey Club Sprint

Furore Gets Ideal Set-Up in Jockey Club Cup…

Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) became the second Hong Kong Derby winner to score on Jockey Club day, taking advantage of a perfect trip to best Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup.

The mount of Moreira, Furore landed in the box seat and was happy to monitor things from there, as the comebacking Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) was pressed through a lively early tempo by Exultant. For a handful of strides approaching the entrance to the final 600 metres, Time Warp looked as if he might be able to pinch it, with Exultant off the bridle, but Furore got underway in earnest three abreast at the furlong grounds and edged clear. Exultant was forced to go forward from his high draw, but had to do a bit of work early to clear the positively ridden Playa del Puente (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), the near-upsetter in last year’s Derby. The pace appeared to take its toll on Exultant, but to his credit, he was gaining inches on the winner at the finish and will be suited by the step up to the 2400 metres for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, which he annexed in 2018.

Columbus County (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) ran on nicely for third.

“He travelled very kind, he had the cover that we were hoping for and the pace was quite genuine and when I gave him a clear run, they started to come back and he just kept running and showing his quality,” the ‘Magic Man’ told HKJC’s Declan Schuster of the winner, who remains at the 2000 metres for the Cup.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$4,500,000 (£436,925/€489,493/
A$794,645/US$580,459), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.32, gd.
1–FURORE (NZ), 123, g, 6, by Pierro (Aus)
1st Dam: Stormy Choice (Aus), by Redoute’s Choice
2nd Dam: Shalbourne, by Nureyev
3rd Dam: Copperama (Aus), by *Comeram
(NZ$210,000 Ylg ’16 NZBJAN). O-Lee Sheung Chau; B-G S A
Bloodstock Pty Ltd; T-Tony Cruz; J-Joao Moreira;
HK$2,565,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SP-HK, G1SP-Aus,
25-8-2-4, HK$33,214,600. *1/2 to Blizzard (Aus) (Starcraft
{NZ}), Ch. Miler & SW-Sin, GSW & G1SP-HK, $2,375,496. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating:
A+++ *Triple Plus*.
2–Exultant (Ire), 128, g, 6, Teofilo (Ire)–Contrary (Ire), by Mark
of Esteem (Ire). O-Eddie Wong Ming Chak & Wong Leung Sau
Hing; B-Ballygallon Stud; T-Tony Cruz; J-Zac Purton;
HK$990,000.
3–Columbus County (NZ), 123, g, 5, Redwood (GB)–Spirit of
Sandford (NZ), by Kilimanjaro (GB). (NZ$33,000 Ylg ’17
NZBFEB). O-Mr & Mrs Hamen Fan Shi Hoo, Alex Fan Chen Yen
& Christina Fan Chen Mun; B-D W Mayers & Mrs S J Taylor;
T-Caspar Fownes; J-Vincent Ho; HK$517,500.
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 7-5, 9-10, 9-1.
Also Ran: Dances With Dragon (NZ), Ho Ho Khan (NZ), Singapore Sling (SAf), Playa del Puente (Ire), Chefano (SAf), Time Warp (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

WATCH: Furore defeats Exultant in the Jockey Club Cup

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Jockey Club Meeting Draws Hong Kong Heavies

With a few notable exceptions, Sunday’s Jockey Club programme at Sha Tin Racecourse has attracted more than two dozen of Hong Kong’s top gallopers, each of whom have an eye on the Longines Hong Kong International Races, now just over three weeks away.

Reigning Horse of the Year Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is set to face eight other rivals as he preps for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) in defence of his title in the G2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m). Winner of 11 of his 26 local appearances, including the 2018 Vase, the 6-year-old carries a five-pound penalty, yet is six pounds better at the weights with his re-opposing stablemate Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}), who bested the first-up Exultant in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse H. (1800m) Nov. 1.

Last year’s Classic Series sweeper Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) will be the long odds-on jolly to win the G2 Jockey Club Mile and take his record to 13 wins from 14 career starts. Though the 5-year-olds domestic rating has skyrocketed to 127-three clear of the veteran Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus})–Golden Sixty will enjoy one more start with a break in the weights, as he carries 123 pounds to Southern Legend’s 128 under the conditions of the race. Golden Sixty defeated Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) and Southern Legend in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy H. over Sunday’s course and distance Oct. 18. Mighty Giant (NZ) (Power {GB}) brings a five-race winning streak into the JC Mile, while Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) is being saved for a fresh run in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.

With The Everest winner Classique Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) gearing up for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint without a local prep, a field of 10 is set for the G2 Jockey Club Sprint over the same 1200-metre distance. Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}), second off an 11-month layoff last year, has the benefit of a tightener this time around, having finished a sound fourth to Wishful Thinker (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) and the progressive Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the G2 Premier Bowl H. Oct. 18. Hot King Prawn would go on to fill the same spot behind the now-retired Beat The Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) on international day. Big Time Baby (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) has five local wins on the dirt track, but proved his versatility with a runner-up effort to Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize last April and is not without a chance.

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Half-Dozen Riders to Fly European Flag in IJC

Six European-based jockeys will square off against a half-dozen Hong Kong-based riders in the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship at Hong Kong’s Happy Valley Racecourse Wednesday, Dec. 9. Carrying prizemoney of HK$800,000 (£77,666/€86,943)–with a first prize of HK$500,000–the IJC is the most lucrative jockey competition in the world.

The foreign contingent is led by the duo of Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle, aged 22 and 24, respectively, and each of whom has celebrated a breakout season in 2020. Among Marquand’s successes this season include the G1 QIPCO British Champion S. aboard Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), whom he also piloted to victories in the G1 Ranvet S. and G1 Longines Queen Elizabeth S. in Sydney. Doyle is set to become just the third female participant in the IJC, joining Chantal Sutherland and Emma-Jayne Wilson, and posted 129 victories this season, most ever for a female jockey in Britain. She earned a breakthrough Group 1 success on Champions Day, winning the G1 British Champions Sprint aboard Glen Shiel (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}).

Ryan Moore, a two-time IJC winner, and William Buick will make the trip to Hong Kong to represent, Britain, while France’s Pierre-Charles Boudot, winner of two races at this month’s Breeders’ Cup meeting at Keeneland, and perennial leading jockey Mickael Barzalona are also set to participate.

The home team, which number six this season instead of the usual four, is led by Joao Moreira and Zac Purton, the top two in the 2020/2021 jockeys’ premiership; defending IJC champion Karis Teetan; and Vincent Ho, who looks to have a pair of live mounts in the Longines Hong Kong International Races Dec. 13. The final two representatives will be announced following the Happy Valley meeting Nov. 25.

Visiting jockeys will undergo multiple COVID-19 tests prior to their arrival in Hong Kong and will go straight into their designated accommodations with strict quarantine protocols in place. They will also be under continuous medical surveillance by the Club’s Chief Medical Office–including daily COVID-19 tests and twice daily temperature checks–and on IJC night at Happy Valley, the visiting riders will occupy a separate jockeys’ rooms away from the Hong Kong-based riders.

In an effort to ensure that no rider draws a book of rides that is either too strong or too weak, the Hong Kong Jockey Club will employ a system whereby a group of handicappers will assess each of the runners before knowing the riding assignments and will render a final opinion following the IJC barrier draw Monday, Dec. 7.

The HKJC is also allocating HK$350,000 to award the trainers whose horses accumulate the most points in an effort to encourage their participation.

“The Hong Kong Jockey Club has succeeded again in putting together an outstanding cast of riders and we are looking forward to a great night of sport set against the backdrop of one of the most iconic racecourses in the world,” said Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, for the HKJC. “We are so pleased that, with strict protocols in place, the event can be a truly international occasion. The prize money increases, which make this year’s edition the richest yet, further reinforcing the prestige associated with the event.”

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