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There have been so many problems and challenges this year that the HKJC deserves a special commendation for getting this to work.
The HKJC have also done well in keeping the prize money up – three of the four G1s have the top prize money in the world for their distances – and they have kept up their great charity work despite all the difficulties. They have benefited from a top technology team which has meant that betting has continued while the punters were unable to attend the races and have established a great communication team that has kept everyone informed.
While the International horses are not that great in number, they are right up there in terms of quality and will give the locals a run for their money in every race.
That all starts in the VASE, Race 4 on the card, which has a field of 7. Exultant has been Hong Kong's Horse of the Year and comes into this on the back of two seconds behind Furore who is running in the Cup. This is third up so expect a good race. Zac Purton rides for Tony Cruz and is odds-on.
We rather like the Coolmore runner Mogul – what's not to like about a 3yo Galileo out of a Danehill mare. Ryan Moore will be on board and he's 2.6 to get his second G1. It has been said that there may not be enough pace in the race – small fields can often lead to traffic problems – but this horse seems to be growing in racing smarts.
Columbus County has been set for this and could go into the multiples on 5.6 if you are playing them.
The SPRINT follows as Race 5 and has the full field of 14 for the 1200m. Classique Legend is by far the best horse in the race and my Daddy used to tell me top horses win top races. But has the move to HK plus all the changes involved put a dampener on the grey's performance? We would be prepared to gamble on class seeing him through here and he's on 2.1. The locals are very keen on the chances of another grey in Hot King Prawn. He has a bit of the bridesmaid about him but Joao Moreira will be in the irons and could get the best out of him. John Size will have him as fit as possible and he's on 3.9.
Danon Smash is by a previous winner of this race in Lord Kanaloa. He's raced in the two autumn sprint races in Japan and he won one of them and came second in the other. If he runs to his best form he could give this a big shake. Ryan Moore rides and 10.4 is value if you can get it. Our roughie here is Rattan, who has an incredibly bad starting record and an incredibly fast finishing record. If – and that's a big "if" – he could get a good start he could steal this. 27.0 and worth the risk.
The MILE has seen Hong Kong super-star Golden Sixty looking like he has the trophy already on the mantlepiece. Vincent Ho has ridden him in every start and understands the horse perfectly and will know what to do in all scenarios. The main challenger is considered to be Admire Mars who gains several lengths when he comes to Hong Kong and won this race last year but his last two runs have resulted in two thirds. His last run was acceptable and a good prep for this. Ryan Moore has the ride and he's on 5.0.
Should there be a crack in the armour of Golden Sixty we think that Order of Australia could be there to take advantage of it. He won the Breeders' Turf Mile at his last outing at a big price but he's generally been there abouts. He has been racing over longer trips until his last start but at that he seemed to really appreciate the firm surface. 10.5 could be value. And the old favourite Beauty Generation can't be left out and he's on 9.4.
The CUP has 8 runners and is over 2000m. There is often a rush for positions as the first bend comes up quickly after the start. Time Warp won this on one occasion but since then he's been turned into a pacemaker and since he's drawn in 2 that is probably what he will do. When we talk about top horses there are few more illustrious than Magical who has already got 7 G1s to her name. We think 3.0 is generous. And she is by Galileo!
Danon Premium is a 5yo by Deep Impact out of an Intikhab mare. He's just below the top level in Japan so we would not expect him to beat Magic but he should be in the frame. William Buick will ride and he's on 5.0.
Of the Japanese runners were prefer Normcore – ignore his last race when she got away from her jockey but go back one race and she won by a huge margin. She's a 5yo mare by Harbinger and is on 13.6 and Zac Purton has the ride.
Furore has been in tremendous form for the locals having beaten Exultant twice in their last two starts one of which was over this trip. He's by Pierro who was one of our favourite boys and has a live chance here and Joao Moreira will be in charge. 11/4 in the UK – will be shorter in HK.
There are two Class 2s to close the program. Race 9 is the Lord Kanaloa Handicap over 1200m with Winning Dreamer going for a 6th consecutive win. Sky Field is the main challenger on 4.1 and Duke Wai on 13.0 is one we like.
Race 10 is the Maurice Handicap over 1600m. Tourbillon Diamond impressed in his HK debut and is on 4.6. Shadow Hero will probably start favourite on 3.7 and Super Wealthy could get some place money to help Douglas Whyte and Ryan Moore become this.
