Stars Come Out for Longines HKIR Trials

[Wandering Eyes]

Despite the ongoing social unrest in the region, Sunday’s Jockey Club meeting at Sha Tin will see each of the locally based winners of each of last year’s Longines Hong Kong International Races back in action prepping for this year’s renewal three weeks down the line.

Two-time reigning Horse of the Year and dual G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile hero Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) has something of a chip on his shoulder in Sunday’s G2 Jockey Club Mile, having tasted defeat for the first time in 18 months when only third to Rise High (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and the re-opposing Waikuku (Ire) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy H. Oct. 20. In fairness, the 7-year-old carried the weight of the grandstand and was asked to concede 14 pounds to the progressive winner on that occasion in a race that was not run to suit. Trainer John Moore fully expects a reversal of fortunes Sunday afternoon at set weights with penalties.

“We’re going into the race with very high hopes that he’ll be winning, especially given the fact that he won’t be carrying a massive weight this time: he’ll only be giving them five pounds,” Moore told the HKJC’s David Morgan following his final pre-race gallop Thursday morning. “The way he just worked–we were really pleased with that gallop. The feedback from his work rider, he was very positive and said the horse was very full of himself.”

In contrast to the Mile, which has attracted only seven gallopers, the G2 Jockey Club Sprint will feature a full field. Despite the presence of defending champion Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) and two-time G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint champ Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus})–each of whom make their seasonal debuts Sunday–the eyes of most every racegoer will be on Aethero (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}).

Set to carry a feathery 113 pounds as a Southern Hemisphere-bred 3-year-old, the strapping chestnut (1246 pounds) suffered the first loss of his career when a first-up third as the $1.50 favourite Oct. 1, he redeemed himself 11 days later to break the 1000-metre track record previously held by champion Sacred Kingdom (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}). With Zac Purton unable to make the light weight, Karis Teetan keeps the saddle warm Sunday.

In addition to the aforementioned Mr Stunning (Hugh Bowman) and Hot King Prawn (Grant van Niekerk), trainer John Size also saddles the admirably consistent Beat the Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}), the talented D B Pin (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), Ivictory (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) and the up-and-coming Full of Beauty (Aus) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).

With Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) likely awaiting at least some of them Dec. 8, a field of nine goes postward in the G2 Jockey Club Cup over the 2000 metres. Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is the marquee name and will be using the Cup as a springboard to a defense of his title in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m) in early December. The 5-year-old will be expected to have come on from his third to Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) and 2017 G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup hero Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse H. (1800m) a fortnight ago. The latter’s full-brother Glorious Forever (GB) has Silvestre de Sousa back in the irons as they try to recreate the magic that saw them wire the field in last year’s Hong Kong Cup.

Rise High goes here as a prep for either the Cup or the Vase on international day and is a win candidate, while the field also includes defending winner Eagle Way (Aus) (More Than Ready) and reigning Hong Kong Derby hero Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}), with Hugh Bowman back in the saddle.

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