After a monumental weekend celebrating Hong Kong’s current star thoroughbreds racing on the world stage, attention now turns to the next generation of talent as it converges on Sunday’s HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin.
Following Romantic Warrior’s Group 1 Saudi Cup (1800m) second in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last Saturday night, Ka Ying Rising and Voyage Bubble both dazzled with classy victories at last Sunday’s Group 1 double-header in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong Classic Cup is the second leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series, which culminates on 23 March with the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) – the city’s most desired race – which will be staged for the 148th time this year.
The HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) is the first leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, and Pierre Ng’s Johannes Brahms was a ground-covering 14th of 14 in that race on 31 January before bouncing back with a smart victory over a mile in Class 2 on 16 February ahead of seasoned duo Speed Dragon and Sunlight Power.
“The horse to his inside just kept pushing him out. We were around seven-wide on the turn and we just had no chance at all (in the Classic Mile), but he did really finish off well last start when he won. It’s a matter of experience for him – he will be even more professional with more racing in Hong Kong,” Ng said.
The Siyouni gelding has drawn barrier four with jockey Karis Teetan.
The bay – with earnings of HK$6.44 million for owner Yau Kwok Fai – won once pre-import for trainer Aidan O’Brien at Naas over 1186m before placing as a two-year-old at Group 2 level at York.
“He’s done really well with two wins in Hong Kong. He just didn’t get an ideal run in the Classic Mile but he won well the race after. It’s an extra 200 metres this time, so we have to be switching him off,” Ng said. “He pulled up well enough from last start. He looks fit, healthy and he’s been eating up well – we’re looking forward to this Sunday.”
Teetan previously won the Hong Kong Classic Cup in 2015 with Thunder Fantasy.
Hong Kong Classic Mile winner My Wish reopposes from gate nine. Packing Hermod, Rubylot, Divano, Mickley, Noisy Boy, Cap Ferrat, Californiatotality, Packing Angel, Mondial, Steps Ahead and Sky Trust also line up.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the best distance for him (Johannes Brahms) or probably half of the field, who are stepping up in trip. We’re just looking for a very good run and hopefully he’ll be competitive. It’s really good to see these types of horses in your yard. They have the potential to be a great horse next season,” Ng said.
Successful in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series previously with Golden Sixty – who swept all three legs in 2020 as the second horse to do so after Rapper Dragon (2017) – Francis Lui saddles five of the 14 runners in this weekend’s Hong Kong Classic Cup: Packing Hermod, Divano, Cap Ferrat, Packing Angel and Steps Ahead.
Second in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, Divano roared from last to just miss by a neck behind My Wish.
Fly-in jockey Tom Marquand – who has two wins this season – partners Divano, while Joao Moreira hops aboard triple winner Packing Angel, Blake Shinn pairs with Packing Hermod and Craig Williams links with Cap Ferrat. Lyle Hewitson is riding Steps Ahead.
Packing Hermod was third in the Hong Kong Classic Mile as favourite.
The Rubick gelding is a four-time winner in Hong Kong, including in Class 2 over 1400m.
Packing Angel has won his last three starts. The son of Shocking is yet to race beyond 1400m across his six-start career in Hong Kong.
Sunday’s 10-race fixture at Sha Tin kicks off at 1pm HKT with the Class 4 Fu Tai Handicap (1000m).
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