A great deal of attention this week in Hong Kong racing was on the Asian Racing Conference, which finished on Thursday after discussion of a wide range of topics in the sport and business of racing.
Drugs, integrity, reaching the customer and, finally, the future of racing in China – a presentation which showed that prospect is not going to be any time in the very near future – were all part of the conference.
But with the conference over, Hong Kong’s international racing schedule for this season over and only one more Group One left, all the focus now is going to be on backing a winner and on the interesting races for the jockeys’ and trainers’ championships.
Zac Purton’s treble at Happy Valley put him 13 clear of suspended Joao Moreira with another 17 meetings to run, and the Australian gets two more ‘free hits’ while the Brazilian is out. Moreira could resume riding with the title out of even his grasp, although Purton still doesn’t command the strings of hot favourites that are lined up for Moreira, and Douglas Whyte previously.
Saturday is a case in point with Purton – rides in all ten races but some will be at lengthy odds, and his highest hopes will be for Heco Rider and the Benno Yung-trained World City and My Little Friend. Meanwhile a relative newcomer like Tommy Berry, with fewer rides, looks to have better chances, particularly through his connection to the stable of John Moore, who legs him up on Grand Harbour, What You Dream and Kabayan.
Hugh Bowman is yet to make an impact but has been presented with a chance by John Size on Tarzan I Am and has decent rides for Tony Millard in Ovett and Medic Kingdom.
By Nathan Mody
