Record total prize-money and incentives of HK$1.62 billion, approximately £158.6 million, will be offered across the 2022/23 season, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Wednesday. Overall purses will be bolstered by a record single-season increase of 11.5% (HK$167.2 million) and there are also increases in prize-money across middle-distance races and a new bonus system.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chief executive officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “The last two and a half years have been among the most challenging times in Hong Kong racing history. Despite this, we have been able to continue racing and we would like to thank everybody in the industry for working together to make it happen.
“With various kinds of COVID-19 measures including overseas travel restrictions, it has made it difficult for owners and trainers to go to the sales to source horses for two racing seasons. Furthermore, we are facing an increased competition to source good horses due to prize-money increases around the world, especially Australia which is the main source of our bloodstock. The popularity of overseas racing syndicates, which are less willing to sell horses as well as highly competitive power from Gulf countries also makes the issue harder.
“We recognise all of these factors, but firmly believe that the impacts of this will be short-term. We have seen Hong Kong emerge as one of the world leaders in racing both in terms of its quality and its international recognition. We have also successfully pioneered large scale international commingling, and now the World Pool. We firmly believe that Hong Kong racing will have room for further growth and we are fully committed to making the necessary investments to achieve this, both through major plans for significant capital investments in our racecourses and training facilities in Sha Tin and Conghua, as well as in a prize-money pool that rewards owners who invest in high-quality horses.”
Hong Kong now hosts the world's richest Group 1 turf races at 1200m, 1600m, and 2000m. In addition, the four Group 1 features at the Longines Hong Kong International Races will offer total prize-money of HK$110 million, approximately £10.7 million, an increase of HK$10 million on 2021. The three races that received prize-money increases are as follows:
The G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) purse will increase to HK$34 million (+13.3%).
The G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) purse rises to HK$30 million (+15.4%).
The G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) will be worth HK$22 million (+10%), and is now the sixth-richest Group 1 2400m event in the world.
“The Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) have been widely recognised as the Turf World Championships and the HK$110 million total prize-money also highlights the Club's commitment to attracting and rewarding the world's best,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges.
Other notable Group 1 races are the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m), with a purse of HK$12 million, the HK$20-million Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) on FWD Champions Day, and the HK$24-million Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m). The latter pair are the richest and second-richest 1200-metre turf races in the world. In addition, the purses for Hong Kong's Group 2 and Group 3 races have been boosted to HK$5 million (+5.3%)) and HK$3.9 million (+5.4%), respectively.
Making the final appearance of her illustrious career, Japan's Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) displayed the same refuse-to-lose attitude that carried her to a history-making success in last month's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, at HK$30 million the richest of the four events that make up the 'Turf World Championships'–the Longines Hong Kong International Races.
Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), one of three Japanese winners in 2019, took home a second G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, defeating a game G1 Coronation Cup hero Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), while Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) proved too tough for the 16th consecutive time and for the 19th time in 20 starts, successfully defending his title in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile. A horrific spill stripped much of the lustre off the running of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, won by 21-1 Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), but the greater concern was for the two horses–Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) and Naboo Attack (Aus) (Warhead {Aus})–who suffered catastrophic injuries, and three riders who were taken to nearby Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment.
Given the green light by the HKSAR government to conduct the meeting in a racing 'bubble', the Hong Kong Jockey Club welcomed 18,600 fans to the races Sunday afternoon. Total turnover for the afternoon was HK$1.728 billion, a new record.
“Today is a day which had tremendous sporting success and this is something everybody in the Club should be proud of,” said HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “There are people you do not see who make a big commitment to the Club and to this event.
“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.”
All You Need Is 'Loves'…
A spectacular career and truly marvelous season came to a thrilling conclusion in the Longines Hong Kong Cup, as Japan's Loves Only You jumped out of the ground in the final 100 metres and outslugged her heavily backed compatriot Hishi Iguazu (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) to score narrowly. It was a second straight Cup success for a Japanese-bred female, following on from Normcore (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), who swan-songed in the same event last December.
Straight into a forward position from her low draw, Loves Only You settled in about fifth, as Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) rolled up deep to set the pace from G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}). Holding her spot one off the fence and racing in the slipstream of Bolshoi Ballet into the final three furlongs, Loves Only You kicked, but found herself in tight between the pacesetters at the 300-metres, as Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) got first run and shot to the lead after covering Loves Only You on the turn. Hishi Iguazu was winding up down the centre and it looked desperate for the bonny mare, but, same as she did at Del Mar, she took one more determined deep breath and sliced through dramatically for the win.
“She jumped well. The pace was a bit slow but then she relaxed and I was able to find a good position,” said winning rider Yuga Kawada, whose mount in the Sprint, Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) hurdled the stricken Amazing Star. “She's given me two big presents and is the best female horse I've ever ridden. I hope she will be a good mother.”
The 2019 G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner, Loves Only You was campaigned ambitiously in 2021, winning the G2 Kyoto Kinen in February ahead of a very game third to Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Victorious in the G1 FWD QE II Cup over this course and distance the following month, she was runner-up to fan-favourite Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune) in the G2 Sapporo Kinen at home ahead of her landmark score at the Breeders' Cup meeting.
The unraced Loves Only Me was acquired by Katsumi Yoshida for $900,000 in foal to Danehill Dancer (Ire) at the 2009 Keeneland November Sale and came with plenty of pedigree appeal, as her dam Monevassia was a full-sister to dual GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Miesque (Nureyev)'s son Kingmambo and had produced champion and future Broodmare of the Year Rumplestiltskin (Ire) (Danehill)–subsequently the dam of G1SW Tapestry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and GSW John F Kennedy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). In addition to Kingmambo, Miesque was also responsible for G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane heroine East of the Moon (Private Account); GSW Mingun (A.P. Indy); GSW/MG1SP Miesque's Son (Mr. Prospector), sire of 2006 Breeders' Cup Mile hero Miesque's Approval.
Loves Only Me is the dam of seven winners from eight to race, all bar the in-utero foal by Deep Impact, and with Sunday's win, has progeny earnings of nearly $20 million. The cross of the late Shadai inmate over Storm Cat and Storm Cat-line dams has been sensationally productive, accounting for nearly 20% of the stallion's 53 worldwide Grade I/Group 1 winners, including recent G1 Yasuda Kinen hero Danon Kingly (Jpn), Hong Kong Cup-winning sire A Shin Hikari (Jpn), Satono Aladdin (Jpn) and French 1000 Guineas heroine Beauty Parlour (Jpn), among others.
Loves Only Me has also been a commercial success at the JRHA Select Sales. Loves Only You fetched ¥160 million ($1,404,800) as a yearling at the 2017 sale, while a Heart's Cry (Jpn) half-brother to Loves Only You made ¥280 million ($2,537,293) as a foal at this year's Sale. Loves Only Me is also represented by a yearling colt by Duramente (Jpn), who passed away this past September.
WATCH: Loves Only You goes out with a bang
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG CUP-G1, HK$30,000,000 (£2,913,356/€3,394,810/A$5,268,927/US$3,847,229), 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:00.66, gd.
1–LOVES ONLY YOU (JPN), 122, m, 5, by Deep Impact (Jpn) 1st Dam: Loves Only Me, by Storm Cat 2nd Dam: Monevassia, by Mr. Prospector 3rd Dam: Miesque, by Nureyev
(¥160,000,000 Ylg '17 JRHAJUL). O-DMM Dream Club Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Yoshito Yahagi; J-Yuga Kawada; HK$17,100,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Jpn, GISW-US, G1SP-UAE, 16-8-2-3, HK$67,678,050. Full to Real Steel (Jpn), Hwt. Older Horse-UAE at 7-9.5f, G1SW-UAE, MGSW & MG1SP-Jpn, $7,508,769; Prodigal Son (Jpn), SW & MGSP-Jpn, $1,564,219; and Langley (Jpn), SP, $1,173,360. Werk Nick Rating: B+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Hishi Iguazu (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–La Liz (Arg), by Bernstein. (¥97,000,000 Wlg '16 JRHAJUL). O-Masahide Abe; B-Northern Racing; T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Joao Moreira; HK$6,600,000.
3–Russian Emperor (Ire), 126, g, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Atlantic Jewel (Aus), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O-Mike Cheung Shun Ching; B-Coolmore, Lauri Macri & Partners; T-Douglas Whyte; J-Blake Shinn; HK$3,000,000.
Margins: SHD, 3/4, NK. Odds: 8-5, 24-5, 23-1.
Also Ran: Dubai Honour (GB), Tourbillon Diamond (Aus), Lei Papale (Jpn), Berlin Tango (GB), Glorious Dragon (Ire), Bolshoi Ballet (Ire), Ka Ying Star (GB), Panfield (Chi), Mac Swiney (Ire). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Hong Kong History For Golden Sixty…
Twelve months after Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) made the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile his 11th straight victory, the reigning Horse of the Year was at his brilliant best in defending his title Sunday under a sublime ride from his constant mate Vincent Ho.
A horse that is happy to sacrifice ground loss for a unimpeded run when push comes to shove, Golden Sixty's task Sunday was a bit 'tricky' in the words of Ho, owing mostly to the fact that the 6-year-old had drawn gate two, and also because there did not appear to be an abundance of speed signed on. Golden Sixty has been known to overrace when the pace doesn't suit, but he settled kindly enough, a touch keenly in midfield in the early stages of Sunday's Mile, as Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) speared through at the rail to take up the running from longshot Lucky Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}).
Slipped a bit of rein at the 1000-metres, Golden Sixty tip-toed into an above-average handy position for him, about five lengths from the speed, readying himself for the sprint when the cue was given.
Tracking Lucky Express into the stretch, Golden Sixty was jerked back to the inside nearing the quarter pole, came off Salios's heels with a furlong and a half to race and proved comfortably best. More Than This (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), who nearly defeated the champ in last year's G1 Champions' Mile, rattled home for second ahead of Salios in third. Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) attacked the line nicely to be fourth.
With the victory, Golden Sixty surpasses two-time Mile hero Beauty Generation (NZ) and Silent Witness (Aus) as the winningest horse in Hong Kong history with 19. He is all but certain to supplant the former as the richest horse in Hong Kong history–he is now within just HK$10 million–and has Silent Witness's 17-race winning streak in the crosshairs.
“I knew he was at his best, gate two was a little bit tricky, I didn't want to be stuck on the inside, but eventually the race panned out well and the pace was genuine,” Ho said. “It was much better today because the pace was on, he actually relaxed very well and as a 6-year-old he's more mature, so it's even better.”
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) in October. This is also the female family of champion Bosra Sham (Woodman), her champion full-brother Hector Protector and French Classic winner Shanghai (Procida).
WATCH: Sweet Sixteen for Sixty
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG MILE-G1, HK$26,000,000 (£2,524,877/€2,942,208/A$4,653,070/US$3,334,265), 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:33.86, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 126, 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$14,820,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year, Ch. Miler & Ch. Middle Distance Horse-HK, 20-19-0-0, HK$95,453,100. *1/2 to Rainbow Connection (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}), GSP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–More Than This (GB), 126, g, 5, Dutch Art (GB)–Striving (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (40,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Huang Kai Wen; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd; T-Danny Shum C S; J-Derek Leung K C; HK$5,720,000.
3–Salios (Jpn), 126, c, 4, Heart's Cry (Jpn)–Salomina (Ger), by Lomitas (GB). O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Racing; T-Noriyuki Hori; J-Damian Lane; HK$2,600,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, NK, HF. Odds: 3-10, 43-1, 13-1.
Also Ran: Mother Earth (Ire), Indy Champ (Jpn), Vin de Garde (Jpn), Waikuku (Ire), Danon Kingly (Jpn), Sky Darci (NZ), Excellent Proposal (Aus), Lucky Express (Aus). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
Shinn Shines, But Heavy-Hearted Following Sprint…
A little more than two years after riding his first winner in Hong Kong in September 2019, well-traveled Australian jockey Blake Shinn partnered with the Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus})–the horse that late last season provided him with his first victory at Group level in the jurisdiction–to take out an injury-marred and ultimately sombre renewal of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint.
Shinn, who won the 2008 G1 Melbourne Cup with Viewed (Aus) (Scenic {Ire}) for the legendary Bart Cummings, settled Sky Field last but two in the Sprint field, as Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) showed the way from Courier Wonder (NZ) (Sacred Falls {NZ}), with Amazing Star (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) tracking three deep.
There was a dramatic and tragic turn of events as the field neared the final corner, as Amazing Star went wrong, casting Lyle Hewitson heavily to the turf, and favoured Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}) with Zac Purton fell right in his wake. The massive Naboo Attack (Aus) (Warhead {Aus}) (Karis Teetan) was also brought down, as was Japan's Pixie Knight (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) (Yuichi Fukunaga). Sadly, the injuries to Amazing Star and Naboo Attack proved fatal, while Lucky Patch emerged apparently unscathed. Netkeiba reported that Pixie Knight has a left fore knee fracture and a sprain in the right hind. Teetan was passed fit to ride the remainder of the card, but Hewitson, Purton and Fukunaga were taken to Prince of Wales Hospital not far from Sha Tin.
“The three jockeys are all in a stable condition and they were conscious when they were transported to hospital. Zac and Lyle are in ICU, they're conscious and their vitals are all stable,” Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding told South China Morning Post.
Down inside, Sky Field avoided the pile-up, raced past a wandering Courier Wonder at the sixteenth marker and was home first, as Resistencia (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), bothered by the winner in upper stretch, charged at him late.
“I have mixed emotions for winning this race today,” Shinn said. “Obviously, the first emotion is that my feelings are with the fallen jockeys and horses out there. It's gut-wrenching for any rider to see a horse go down. What's happened today, it's a real bitter-sweet win and in a way it's a hard win to take in the circumstances. All credit to Caspar Fownes, he's given me the opportunity to ride this lovely animal over the previous season and this season.”
Pedigree Notes…
Sky Field is the second top-level scorer and one of 12 black-type winners overall for Deep Field, the sire of 14 Hong Kong winners overall. The chestnut is one of five winners from six to race from his dam, a winning daughter of Mer du Sud, whose son The Duke (Aus) (Danehill) won the 2006 Hong Kong Mile after placing in the event the two years prior. Mer du Sud is also the granddam of GSW/G1SP Keen Array (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}) and SW & G1SP Chambord (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}). Laravissante is the dam of the 3-year-old filly Jolie Christine (Aus) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) and a yearling filly by Pariah (Aus). Her foal of 2021, a full-sister to Sky Field, unfortunately passed away and she was given the current breeding season off.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT-G1, HK$24,000,000 (£2,330,656/€2,716,884/A$4,295,672/US$3,077,850), 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08.66, gd.
1–SKY FIELD (AUS), 126, g, 5, by Deep Field 1st Dam: Laravissante (NZ), by O'Reilly (NZ) 2nd Dam: Mer du Sud (Ire), by Bluebird 3rd Dam: Make Plans, by Go Marching 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (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$13,680,000. Lifetime Record: 18-6-2-5, HK$25,577,700. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Resistencia (Jpn), 122, f, 4, Daiwa Major (Jpn)–Malacostumbrada (Arg), by Lizard Island. O-Carrot Farm Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Takeshi Matsushita; J-Christophe Soumillon; HK$5,280,000.
3–Courier Wonder (NZ), 126, g, 4, Sacred Falls (NZ)–Fabulist (NZ), by Savabeel (Aus). (NZ$150,000 Ylg '19 NZBJAN). O-Mr & Mrs Chadwick Mok Cham Hung; B-Waikato Stud Ltd; T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$2,400,000.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, HF. Odds: 21-1, 13-1, 7-2.
Also Ran: Hot King Prawn (Aus), Stronger (Aus), Computer Patch (Aus), Wellington (Aus), Danon Smash (Jpn). DNF: Pixie Knight (Jpn), Lucky Patch (NZ), Naboo Attack (Aus), Amazing Star (NZ). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
More Vase 'Glory' For Japan, Moreira…
For the third time in the last six years, jockey Joao Moreira teamed up with a shipper from Japan to scoop the first of the day's four Group 1s, the Longines Hong Kong Vase, in this case with the same horse he guided to victory two years back, Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). European raider Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) made a bold bid in upper stretch, but couldn't quite see it out, while Aga Khan homebred Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) turned in a cracking effort to be third.
Glory Vase stepped away neatly and eased down onto the fence while tossing his head about, as Reliable Team (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) lobbed them along with mild pressure from Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) with a circuit to travel. Settled on the back of defending champion Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) rounding the first bend at the 1600 metres, Glory Vase switched off well as the speed remained even up front. Unhurried into the final half-mile, Glory Vase was set alight by Moreira off the home corner and had Pyledriver to catch after the latter claimed the front-runners in upper stretch. Pyledriver pinched what appeared to be a commanding advantage with a bit more than a furlong to gallop, but Glory Vase had the better late kick and raced away to a popular score.
“I had a smooth run, going to the fence and saving ground,” said Moreira. “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.”
Of the valiant runner-up, Martin Dwyer said: “Really pleased, good run but I think the winner is very good.”
Only lightly raced, with now 17 starts nearing the end of his 6-year-old campaign, Glory Vase made his seasonal debut in the 2000-metre G2 Kinko Sho Mar. 14, finishing a close fourth before traveling back to Hong Kong to round out a Japanese exacta behind Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the FWD QE II Cup the following month. He would have taken plenty of benefit from his lone run since, a third in the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers S. Sept. 26 in which he made multiple moves and ran right through the line.
Glory Vase has a twice-raced 3-year-old half-sister named Ohagi (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) and his yearling half-brother by Heart's Cry (Jpn)–already named Ezo Daimon (Jpn)–sold to Susumu Fujita for ¥165 million (about $1,496,804) at this year's JRHA Select Sale. Mejiro Tsubone foaled another colt by Heart's Cry this year and was most recently bred to the late Duramente (Jpn).
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong LONGINES HONG KONG VASE-G1, HK$20,000,000 (£1,942,213/€2,263,237/A$3,579,727/US$2,564,875), 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:27.07, gd.
1–GLORY VASE (JPN), 126, h, 6, by Deep Impact (Jpn) 1st Dam: Mejiro Tsubone (Jpn), by Swept Overboard 2nd Dam: Mejiro Rubato (Jpn), by Mejiro Ryan (Jpn) 3rd Dam: Mejiro Ramonu (Jpn), by Mogami (Fr)
(¥52,000,000 Ylg '16 JRHAJUL). O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Lake Villa Farm; T-Tomohito Ozeki; J-Joao Moreira; HK$11,400,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Jpn, 17-6-4-1, HK$50,300,700. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Pyledriver (GB), 126, c, 4, Harbour Watch (Ire)–La Pyle (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire). (10,000gns RNA Wlg '17 TATDEF). O-La Pyle Partnership; B-Knox & Wells Limited & R Devlin; T-William Muir & Chris Grassick; J-Martin Dwyer; HK$4,400,000.
3–Ebaiyra, 122, f, 4, Distorted Humor–Ebiyza (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire). O-S A Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan Stud SC; T-Alain de Royer-Dupre; J-Christophe Soumillon; HK$2,000,000.
Margins: 1, 2HF, 3. Odds: 9-10, 7-2, 12-1.
Also Ran: Columbus County (NZ), Stay Foolish (Jpn), Mogul (Ire), Butterfield (Brz), Reliable Team (NZ). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A total of 43 horses representing Hong Kong, England, Ireland, France and Japan were entered for Sunday's HK$100 million Longines Hong Kong International Meeting at Sha Tin Racecourse, and the luck of the barrier draw–held Thursday morning in the parade ride at the track–was much in favour of the horses that are anticipated to be at the head of the markets in the four events.
For a horse like reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro), who likes to get back and then put his rivals to the sword with a devastating finish, the barrier draw is something of a non-issue. Having drawn seven last year en route to a facile success, his chances were done no harm whatsoever when owner Stanley Chan selected gate two for Sunday's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.
“Barrier two is OK–we'll just relax him and wait for the straight, and then we can just let him go,” trainer Francis Lui told the HKJC's Declan Schuster. “He is all ready and we're hoping that luck will come to my team and my owner–and to me too.”
Similarly, with the gates positioned towards the top of the Sha Tin straight for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) and with a long run into the first turn, post positions–especially in a compact field–also become less relevant. Defending champion Mogul (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will have no excuses from gate two, one to the outside of one of the likely pacesetters Reliable Team (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), while G1 Coral Coronation Cup hero Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) begins outside that pair in stall three.
Japan's record-making Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Lei Papale (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) figure to be strong in the market for the day's richest event, the HK$30 million G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m). Having drawn four and three, respectively, neither should have much difficulty securing a trip that suits their running styles. The form of the G1 QIPCO Champion S. is represented by Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}, gate seven), beaten 3/4 of a length in back of Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) and 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) in third. The latter was assigned post position two, while local hope Panfield (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky) has pole position coming off a disappointing effort in the G2 Jockey Club Cup three weeks ago.
“It's a lovely draw, it gives you options and we're certainly very happy with it, there's a lot worse draws than that–I couldn't be happier,” trainer Tony Millard said of last year's G1 Champions & Chater Cup hero, also a multiple Group 1 winner in his native Chile. “He's been good since that last run, frankly speaking that last run, it was one of those races that you want to forget and we're just looking forward.”
Pixie Knight (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) could go favoured in a wide-open renewal of the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, and will break from post position eight to try to make it two in a row for Japan. Defending champion Danon Smash (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) doesn't appear to be in the same sort of form and will leave gate 10 after winning from the riverside draw in 14 last year. Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}) has a chance to go a good race second-up, having finished seventh to Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}) in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint Nov. 21, but he will have to work out a trip of his own from stall 11.
“In the Sprint you want some draw assistance and we didn't get the draw assistance, but last year's winner was drawn 14 and if [Wellington] is good enough, that's where he comes from,” trainer Richard Gibson told the HKJC's Leo Schlink. “I think he's sharper than he was [last time] and he trialled really well the other day, so he's in good shape.”
from his handler. 
