The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Last Sunday (1 October), Sha Tin staged Hong Kong’s first two Group races this season. The G3 National Day Cup Handicap (1000m) and G3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) are traditional starting points for horses headed towards the December internationals.
That looks the case again this year, even after John Moore-trained pair Dashing Fellow and Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road To Rock) caused upsets.
The National Day Cup featured most of Hong Kong’s primary LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint contenders, with the exception of G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) winner Lucky Bubbles and Hong Kong’s joint top-rated galloper Thewizardofoz, who will both resume in the G2 Premier Bowl Handicap (1200m) on 22 October.
Dashing Fellow took the prize at long odds, the 1400m handicap specialist adding a new string to his bow, but it was the run of stablemate Not Listenin’tome in second that caught the eye.
Hong Kong Derby third Beauty Generation took the Celebration Cup. The New Zealand import revelled under a light weight, was suited by give in the ground and was the beneficiary of a terrific Derek Leung front-running ride, and, despite those apparent favours, has now put himself into the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile picture, according to Moore.
Seasons Bloom is also headed that way after his runner-up finish, while third-placed Time Warp and fourth Winner’s Way will attempt to qualify in the coming weeks.
Last year’s Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Only impressed when he rattled home for fifth under 133lb, especially as the ground was not ideal. He looks right on song to defend his title. Another eye-catcher making late ground was sixth-placed Eagle Way, a leading local hope for the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase.