THE ENGLISH AND IRISH HORSES – CAN THEY FEATURE ON HONG KONG’S BIGGEST DAY OF RACING?

By Darren Winningham | Friday, December 6, 2019

We all know there is nothing worse than a pommy crowing about their sporting victories – well maybe there is one worse thing a Kiwi doing the same!

England may not know whether they are coming or going in their country when it comes to Brexit – but they have come to Hong Kong looking to take some prize money home this year!

The contrast between how the Japanese warm-up for the races and how the Britain and Irish prepare is quite marked. The three European runners – Anthony Van Dyck, Mount Everest and Magic Wand – barely raised a sweat at track work on Wednesday morning at Sha Tin. They worked together and did not accelerate out of second gear. They are saving their efforts for the big show on Sunday.

David Casey took the Willie Mullins-trained True Self, bound for the Vase, on a leisurely stroll on the dirt. "We just went for a couple of canters. I'm very happy with her. We might just go on the turf track tomorrow, perhaps do a half-speed," said Casey.

Aidan O’Brien is not planning on doing anything too tough with his three representatives. Anthony Van Dyck and Mount Everest will tackle the Hong Kong Vase on Sunday, while the toughest runner in Hong Kong, Magic Wand, is gunning for the Hong Kong Cup after her three mighty efforts in Melbourne.

O’Brien said: "I think they'll do a canter on the grass on Thursday morning, but they don't need much because we think they're in good shape."

Meanwhile Prince of Arran (Hong Kong Vase) – who was unlucky in the Melbourne Cup galloped solidly on the course proper again turning in some nice work without exerting too much effort.

The other two runners True Self (Hong Kong Vase) and Zaaki (Hong Kong Mile) both were impressive with tradesman like efforts on the turf course.

Seems like the English and Irish contingent have turned up with one thing in mind – VICTORY!

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