THE PETLEY REPORT: THINGS ARE HOTTING UP IN HONG KONG AS THE INTERNATIONAL RACEDAY APPROCHES

By Jack Petley | Monday, November 23, 2020

Things are hotting up in Hong Kong with International Stakes day not that far away now.

Golden Sixty showed himself ready for the rich Hong Kong Mile with a crushing win in the Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin yesterday. He has now won 10 on the trot and 13 from 14 altogether for trainer, Francis Lui. "He gets stronger with every race," said winning rider Vincent Ho. Said Lui: "At the moment he looks like a champion, but we'll see what form the international horses bring."

Furore gained his second recent win over stablemate Exultant in the Jockey Club Cup over 2000 metres with Furore now to run in the Hong Kong Cup and Exultant in the HK Vase. "I am glad they are not in the same race," said the successful trainer Tony Cruz. Exultant won the Vase in 2018 and ran third last year.

Moreira was in fine form at Sha Tin winning three on the day. He was successful on the John Size sprinter Hot King Prawn in the Jockey Club Sprint and commented, "He won with authority,“ said Moreira as Hot King Prawn heads towards the rich HK Sprint on International Day.

The Japanese 1000 Guineas winner of last year, Gran Alegria landed her third Grade 1 win in a row when successful in the Mile Championship at Hanshin in the hands of Christophe Lemaire.

That was a super ride by Lisa Allpress on the very smart filly Shezzacatch at Awapuni on the weekend and she is right back in form after her hip surgery, now having 19 wins to her credit since her return on October 25. Allpress brought the filly from the back through a narrow gap by the rails off the home bend and the filly did the rest. Raced by a syndicate, with co-trainer Guy Lowry and her breeder Tony Rider involved, the daughter of Savabeel now heads for the Eulogy Stakes and then towards the Gr1 Levin Classic. "She wasn't wound up for today so there is plenty of upside," said co-trainer, Grant Cullen.

One of the most impressive winners at NZ on the weekend was certainly the Priosir mare Levante when she came from last on the home bend in the Counties Bowl, 1100 metres, to rush past all her rivals with such ease for Sam Collett. I gather there have been some substantial offers from overseas to purchase the mare, but she is not for sale said Ancroft Stud owner Phillip Brown, who bred her and races her with a group of mates under the Sandringham Investments banner. "Money can't buy the pleasure this mare is giving us," said Brown, whose family have been on the Matamata scene for so many years with the stud established back in the 60’s.

Another impressive winner at Pukekohe was Edit, ridden by Danielle Johnson who leads the NZ Premiership. By Swiss Ace, Edit just sat off the pace and when called upon turned on a blistering finish for Johnson and trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy. Shaun Clotworthy said he will head the winner towards the Championship Final at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. And, while the young galloper is showing sprint form, on breeding he should get further as he is a grandson of the Auckland and Melbourne Cup winner, Jezabeel.