This event has undergone several changes in the past.
But few more than this year with no overseas runners being allowed in, although they have finally been able to get the 200+ horses that were stuck in Conghua back to their Sha Tin stables.
The other good-ish news is that owners of horses engaged today "and companions" as well as "visiting members" are to be allowed in although they will have to have a prior booking. They will however be rewarded by three races that will show off the best horses in local racing.
Race 6 is The Chairman's Sprint Prize G1 over 1200m with 11 runners. Wellington is the top sprinter in Hong Kong at present and currently is on evens despite a wide draw. Sky Field won the Sprint in December because he was able to avoid the tragic pile-up. Blake Shinn, who has announced that he will return to Australia at the end of the season, will be on board and Alexis Badel is on Wellington. Then there's the improving Sight Success whose price has halved overnight and is now on 6.6 with Sky Field on 6.2. John Size has booked Zac Purton for the ride.
Race 8 is the Champion's Mile with 8 starters although all the attention is on just two of them – Golden Sixty and California Spangle. Golden Sixty is going for his 21st win in 24 starts and his misses were not entirely the fault of the horse. He's drawn in gate 2 with rival California Spangle in 5 so he will have to go forward which isn't his ideal. California Spangle is the new kid on the block and his price has also halved overnight from 7.3 to 3.8, which is more realistic. The best of the rest could be Champions Way on 29.0 for John Size and Antoine Hamelin.
Race 9 is the QE II Cup which is over the 2000m, with 11 runners. It's a tricky start as the first turn comes very soon after the start. Romantic Warrior won the Derby and it is a rare double to win the Derby and the QE II Cup although they are the same distance. Karis Teetan knows his horse well and will be sure to give him a patient ride. They are on 3.0. Russian Emperor is marginally ahead on 2.5 for Douglas Whyte and Blake Shinn who has also won over this trip but that was on yielding ground, a rarity in Hong Kong.
We think Tourbillon Diamon on 18.0 is worthy of a bit of the e/w and/or a spot in the multiples and the other interesting runner is Savvy Nine on 8.9. who can throw in a very good run from time to time.
