Group One Classic Mile Day In Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s classic season gets under way on Sunday with the Group One Classic Mile for four-year-olds the feature event more questions than answers to it.

In four of the last five Classic Miles, there has been a hot favourite successful so it has been a race for punters but there is no horse in this year’s running without a question against some aspect of his lead-up form.

Former Australian horse Divine Calling looks the logical favourite for Tony Millard and Joao Moreira, but the gelding would be a red hot public elect had he not let his supporters down as a long odds-on favourite at his second Hong Kong start.

Divine Calling looked to have his chance that day but was beaten less than a length in a Class One, drops back to his own age and is the one to beat under level weights.

Millard has said that Divine Calling is in better shape for the race which has been his target for over a year, than he was for that defeat. Still, punters would be forgiven for being gun-shy if he is a hot favourite again.

Still, his opponents all have questions over their talent or suitability, with main danger John Moore-trained Arpinati also beaten with every chance when odds-on last start and other opponents badly weighted, looking for longer or having their first run in Hong Kong, like French Derby-fifth Gonna Run and former Coolmore inmate Anticipation.

Punters might even learn more from a Derby angle by the performance of Richard Gibson-trained Got Fly in the final race. A smart winner international day over 1,800m in Class Three, he has bypassed the Group One mile race to stay at 1,800m in the Class Two. Gibson relies on Giant Treasure in the Classic Mile even though he is very poorly weighted.

By Nathan Mody

Share this article