CAN HONG KONG TRAINED HORSES CLAIM ANOTHER CLEAN SWEEP IN THE INTERNATIONAL GROUP 1'S?

By Darren Winningham | Sunday, December 1, 2024

You will remember in 2018, and that Hong Kong trained horses dominated the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin.

They claimed the HK$93 million prize money that was on offer back then. They nearly achieved this feat again in 2023, however, the French trained Junko upset the party by taking out the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (Group 1).

In 2024 we race on LONGINES HKIR day for a massive record-breaking HK$126 million.

It would be an historic effort to claim all four feature races again on the program.

Will the international runners be cast aside this year and sent packing without any major share the massive prize money on offer?

Let’s take a look at my early preview for the feature races on Sunday.
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THE LONGINES HONG KONG VASE – (HK$24 million prize money)

The first leg of a clean sweep for Hong Kong horses – this is the most difficult one for them in my opinion.

The locals do not have a great record in this race. Japan, Great Britain and France have a superb record here – they have combined to win nine of the last ten editions of this race. The last local win was in 2018 by Exultant trained by Tony Cruz and ridden by Zac Purton.

Aidan O’Brien-trained Luxembourg went very close to winning the LONGINES 2023 Hong Kong Cup going down by just a short head to Romantic Warrior. He is a proven Group 1 winner (winning four Group 1 races) and has won at this distance. Ryan Moore will ride and he will be looking to post a win and become the highest winning jockey of this race and in doing so will see O’Brien claim the same honour. They would then have combined for four victories in this race – no other combination has achieved this. Their wins include Mogul (2020), Highland Reel (2017 & 2015).

The two French trained horses are not without some hope here. Iresine is trained by M Velon and will be ridden by J-P Gauvin. Andre Fabre, who has won this race three times including last year with Junko brings a developing stayer Marquisat to Hong Kong looking for his maiden Group 1 victory.

The Japanese are best represented by the three-year-old filly who has a barnstorming finish. Stellenbosch who will be ridden by Joao Moreira. She has had only seven career starts and three runs at Group 1 level – has won a Group 1 race and finished in the placings in the other two starts. She could cause a major upset.

The Hong Kong contingent is best represented by the John Size trained Ensued. James McDonald will ride. He is only a lightly raced four-year-old who will race midfield and be strong to the line late as there appears some good tempo in the race this year. He was beaten around 4 lengths last time out in the Group 2 event won by Romantic Warrior.

I will support the Hong Kong runner here – but Luxembourg and Stellenbosch look promising chances.

Strike one to HONG KONG!
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THE LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT – (HK$26 million prize money)

The new Hong Kong sprint sensation is the David Hayes trained Ka Ying Rising. Zac Purton will ride and is looking to break another Hong Kong record and win this race for the fourth time – no other jockey has completed this. He is currently tied with Australian Brett Prebble for this honour.

His last start victory over the 1200 metres at Sha Tin at Group 2 level saw this emerging sprinter break the long standing seventeen-year track record held by Sacred Kingdom – posting an unbelievable time of 1:07.43.

He does need to win his maiden Group 1 and in doing so will give David Hayes his first victory on LONGINES HKIR day.

You must just get behind the Aussies here!

Strike 2 for the locals!
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THE LONGINES HONG KONG MILE – (HK$36 million prize money)

No Golden Sixty in 2024 to anchor this leg for Hong Kong racing – so will a new local champion miler be identified?

Can Vincent Ho post another win in this feature race with the Pierre Ng trained Galaxy Patch?

He resumed with a impressive win over the mile and then was sent out a short priced favourite last start when defeated by Voyage Bubble. I think that you can forgive that run as he was caught wide and had no luck in a race that was run at a good tempo. Hopefully he draws a barrier here for this feature race and Ho is able to get him some cover.

The other Hong Kong runner that is in contention is the last start winner Voyage Bubble trained by Ricky Yiu and who will be ridden by James McDonald. He ran second to Golden Sixty in this race last year at huge odds. Since then he resumed with a close second and then a win at Group 2 level over the mile. He looks to be an improving type.

Japan is well represented with Soul Rush with Joao Moreira to ride. Has had 16 starts over the mile posting seven wins and five placings. He posted his maiden Group 1 win at his last start over the mile at Kyoto. He will love the firm track and will be storming home late.

Antino – Australia’s representative is a genuine threat. He will probably race midfield and will appreciate a strong speed in the race. Blake Shinn will have to peel out wide in the straight, however, in saying that, the Sha Tin straight is long and gives every runner his or her chance to claim victory.

Strike three to HONG KONG!
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THE LONGINES HONG KONG CUP – (HK$40 million prize money)

The last leg of the clean sweep for Hong Kong horses – this looks one of their better chances. Last year the new Hong Kong global champion Romantic Warrior was too good, winning this race last year for the second consecutive year with Australian jockey James McDonald in the saddle - trained by Danny Shum.

This team is looking to win the race for a third consecutive year – no horse, no jockey and no trainer have ever completed this in the history of the race.

He just looks too good for them for mine this year – and without any misfortune in the running should win.

That is strike 4 and the clean sweep for Hong Kong Racing.

I will let you know after Sunday’s races – but if they do it again in 2024 the international contingent needs to lift their game!

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