By Alan Carasso
Given the current political upheaval in Hong Kong, there would have been much consternation among the higher-ups at the Hong Kong Jockey Club that this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races could suffer in terms of its attempts to recruit from beyond its borders. When the selected runners for the four-race 'Turf World Championships' at Sha Tin Dec. 8 were revealed Wednesday evening at Happy Valley, nearly half of the 50 horses that will take part will fly into Hong Kong from abroad, a fact the HKJC is more than happy to crow about.
“The Longines Hong Kong International Races is firmly established among a select handful of the world's greatest international racing occasions,” remarked Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, for the Club. “We are delighted that the quality of the selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races is in keeping with our long-held commitment to deliver sporting excellence.”
The G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) has drawn a field befitting one of the world's richest races at the distance and has lured reigning Japanese Horse of the Year Almond Eye (Jpn). A daughter of the electric dual Hong Kong Sprint winner Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), the 4-year-old is set to be one of 11 raiders from the island nation and is joined in the field by Win Bright (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), upset winner of this year's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over the course and distance.
Japan's chances in what has become an open-looking G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile include Indy Champ (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), who defeated Almond Eye into third in the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June before winning last weekend's G1 Mile Championship; and Persian Knight (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), fifth to Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) from a disastrous draw 12 months back. The globetrotting Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), second to Glorious Forever (GB) (Archipenko) as the $2.80 (9-5) favourite in last year's Cup, swerves Almond Eye and she will take on the likes of defending champion Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m). G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and the supplemented Lucky Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) also take in the Vase.
As mentioned in the European news section of Thursday's paper, Ballydoyle has done its part in propping up this year's HKIR, with G1 Irish Champion S. and British Champion S. Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) set for one final run in what could be a Cup for the ages. Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who earned a richly deserved first Group 1 in the Mackinnon S. at Flemington last time, could be involved in an historic finish in the Cup, a race won by the fairer sex on three previous occasions (Snow Fairy, 2010; Pride, 2006; Alexander Goldun, 2004). Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a could-have-been-better third last time in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf, becomes the first winner of the G1 Investec Derby to contest the HKIR.
An intended starter in this week's G1 Japan Cup, Prince of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) makes the trip to Hong Kong for the Vase for second year in a row off a promoted second in the G1 Melbourne Cup Nov. 5. The lone Australian-based entrant in this year's HKIR is In Her Time (Aus) (Time Thief {Aus}), winner of the 2019 G1 Lightning S. over Flemington's straight five furlongs and a latest third in the G1 Darley Sprint Classic going 1200m.
Among other European-based invitees are G1 Preis von Europa winner Aspetar (Fr) (Al Kazeem {GB}); the Pia Brandt-trained Called to the Bar (Ire) (Henrythenavigator), twice a Group winner this year at staying trips and campaigned in partnership with the Pride ownership; and the Aga Khan's Jockey Club Oaks Invitational winner and French multiple group-placed Edisa (Kitten's Joy).
Hong Kong horses made history in 2018, winning each of the four international races. In addition to the aforementioned Beauty Generation, Glorious Forever and Exultant, Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) shoots for an unprecedented third victory in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. No 3-year-old has every emerged with the Sprint trophy, but Aethero (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) will likely be favoured to snap that streak this year. A winner of six-from-seven, he treated the region's best short-trackers, including place-getters Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) and Beat the Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}), to a two-length beating in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint Nov. 17.
Rise High (Fr) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) is spoken of in the highest regard by trainer Caspar Fownes and validated that confidence with a streak-snapping defeat of Beauty Generation in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy H. over an insufficient mile in October. He faces a tall task against Almond Eye and company in the Cup. In one notable development among the locals, Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}), third in last year's Mile, stretches out to the 2400m for the first time in his career for the Vase.
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