The big news in Hong Kong this week was the issuing of invitations to the international race meeting on December 13 and the announcement on Wednesday didn’t let down anyone who was expecting the standard to be right up to the usual level.
More than 30 visitors, 10 horses rated 120 or higher makes a strong meeting and even Hong Kong’s Able Friend, the second highest-rated active horse in world racing, won’t have it easy as he meets Maurice, the champion miler of Japan, in the Hong Kong Mile that looks the highlight clash of the day.
Dermot Weld brings Free Eagle – also in the top handful in the world – to meet Military Attack and Designs On Rome in the Cup and there is a strong Japanese contingent there too.
The Vase winner of 2014 Flintshire returns after another excellent year in the western hemisphere but that race looks even stronger this time with horses like Trip To Paris, Ito, Cirrus des Aigles and in a remarkable story, Dariyan, a son of Daryakana, who beat Cirrus des Aigles in his first visit to Hong Kong. The Sprint losing Chautauqua was certainly a blow but Japan‘s Straight Girl was unlucky behind Aerovelocity last year and leads a solid group from that country looking to carry on Lord Kanaloa’s good work
After Group racing last weekend, things are more low key this Sunday and the Class One Chevalier Cup takes pride of place technically but there will be just as much interest in whether John Size-trained The Wizardofoz can polish up the image which was tarnished slightly by his first defeat when resuming for the season. He is touted by many as the Derby winner this season even this far out so he will need to lift his game to maintain that reputation.
It’s a Moreira-free meeting while the Brazilian serves a suspension and arch-rival Zac Purton has picked up many of the Magic Man’s rides in Double Point, exciting sprinter Fabulous One, last season’s beaten Derby favourite returning, Redkirk Warrior, and the very honest Celestial Smile.
By Nathan Mody
