The Japanese were missing from Sydney’s version of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes but the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday threatens to be overrun by them.
Lovely Day worked strongly on Thursday morning to cement Japan’s joint top-rated horse as the worthy favourite, although there are good arguments for up-and-coming Satono Crown and Nuovo Record, second to runaway A Shin Hikari in the Hong Kong Cup in December.
Key to the Japanese prospects in many eyes is that they have not just the best horses but Hong Kong’s two top jockeys as well, with Joao Moreira on Lovely Day and Zac Purton on Satono Crown, while Yutaka Take rides Nuovo Record.
It seems most experts see the Japanese three-sided block as too tough for the local Hong Kong horses, many of them past their peak or, like Derby winner Werther, with more to prove yet at this kind of standard. The QE II was once a graveyard for Derby winners, which has changed in the last ten years, but only when the Derby winner was truly outstanding – Vengeance Of Rain, Ambitious Dragon and Designs On Rome all won the double.
Maybe the threat to the Japanese comes from Coolmore’s Highland Reel with Ryan Moore up, Sheik Hamdan’s Ertijaal – although he was poorly treated at the barrier draw – or Rising Romance as a dark horse.
Or maybe the weather is the big worry for Japan. There are heavy storms predicted for Sunday during the meeting and connections of the Japanese runners have all indicated they would prefer to race on firm ground as they do mostly at home.
Many in Hong Kong would like to see the QE II Cup (and it’s Group Three support, the Queen Mother Memorial Cup over 2,400m this weekend) joined up again with the two internationals the following week to make a second meeting to mirror the December day, and there are official moves in that direction.
Australia’s Buffering was the star worker this week, his hit-out on Tuesday morning strong, fast and fluent, but he was really the only visitor really out to run times.
One of the side stories this week has been the “Rising Romance-Buffering” love story. Reports are that the two are inseparable after meeting in the quarantine barn and their handlers are reporting that it has helped both of them to thrive.
By Nathan Mody
