HKIR 2016: A Postscript

Having slept a grand total of about 20 hours and having worked literally at all hours of the day and night, the 15-plus hours I spent on United flight 180 Monday were among the fastest 15 hours I've spent anywhere. When I awoke after lunch, I would estimate we were approaching the Aleutian Islands, meaning, in essence, that I'd slept through the night on East Coast time. This left me reasonably well positioned to segue seamlessly back into home life and for the most part, that has happened. Still playing a bit of catch up, but all in all, have recovered well.

I thought I'd avail myself of the opportunity to recap last Sunday's races (I will try my level best to be concise) and share some other ideas of a broader and more general nature.

First of all, my hat is off, as always, to the team at the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The Hong Kong International Races have become a must-see event on the annual racing calendar, attracting horses from all over the globe. Pat Cummings has led a charge to 'spread the word'–about the HKIR and about the HKJC and has masterfully deployed social media resources to accomplish the goal. It's a mad success, as one look at any one of the worldwide social media team's timeline or tweets would attest. It was great to meet or in some situations reacquaint myself with that team.

Let's get to the races. Like many others, I didn't see Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) being beaten in the Vase and Longines World's Best Jockey Ryan Moore did all he could to get the colt home first. As it happened, a mid-race move from Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) upped the tempo just enough through those sixth and seventh furlongs to take enough of the starch out of the prohibitive favourite. Japan hadn't won the 2400m event since Stay Gold (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) fully 15 years prior, but Satono Crown (Jpn) (Marju {Ire}) proved the slightly superior stayer under a superbly judged ride from Joao Moreira. With the win, the 'Magic Man' joins Gerald Mosse as the only riders to win all four of the internationals.

I told Waikato Stud Marketing Manager Ange Bridson on one of the rides back to Wanchai during the week that I thought Aerovelocity (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) lacked the killer instinct he once had and, to be fair, even his connections were something short of convinced he could mix it at this level anymore. To their delight, we were all wrong (Ange was thrilled to be on hand to watch the son of Waikato sire Pins play the role of hero), as he became the first 8-year-old to take out the Hong Kong Sprint over an unlucky Lucky Bubbles (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}). Defending champ Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) held on for much longer than I thought he might, though the early pace of the race was not taxing (to be exact it was 0.35 outside of standard at :23.90). But full marks to Aerovelocity, and one wonders how strong and how deep the Hong Kong challenge may be for a race like the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, given that the new six-furlong distance may open the race to a few more horses. Time will tell.

One very refreshing element of Hong Kong racing is that horsemen will not hesitate to shed doubt on a horse or to shoot-straight where it comes to race-fitness or the like. For example, Zac Purton admitted to the press that he was something less than convinced of Aerovelocity's chances. Trainer John Moore minced no words about Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), especially after Hong Kong's version of Big Red drew next to the river for the Hong Kong Mile. After recovering from a tendon issue in Australia into the summer, he suffered a freak accident once back at Sha Tin and was second-up in the Mile. Moore admitted freely that this was not ideal, that the post only added to his concerns, and so it unfolded. Though he peeled out wide, he didn't let down with his trademark acceleration and finished midfield behind the in-form Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). The situation with Able Friend was not unlike the Moore-trained Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in 2015, who was a short horse when fourth in the Hong Kong Cup. I would caution those who want to consign Able Friend to yesterday's news to think again. He's got the next month to prepare for the G1 Stewards' Cup–all things equal–he looked the part physically during the week and to be third-up in that race could make all the difference.

To this observer, Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn})'s victory in the Cup and the manner in which it was accomplished was the best performance in the day's richest race since Falbrav (Ire) (Fairy King) swatted away Rakti (GB) (Polish Precedent) back in 2003. To miss the break, allow defending champ A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to do his thing (albeit after getting loose in the paddock of all things), then steamroll past in the stretch was just phenomenal. Maurice has done what he's had to do and is now off to stud, ostensibly, though ownership hasn't announced that formally since Sunday's race. How good would Maurice look in the G1 Dubai Turf? Hmm.

One footnote to the Cup is the handling of the gate crew and the HKJC vet team of Secret Weapon (GB) (Choisir {Aus}). It came to light in the stewards' report post-race that jockey Zac Purton didn't like the noise his horse was making. An adjustment of the girth and loosening of the tongue tie did the trick, Purton confirmed there were no further noises. Secret Weapon was trotted up in front of the vets, was allowed to start and picked up second money.

Speaking of Purton, it was a big day for him with two winners as well as the Japanese, who left town with two of the four trophies. Japan was represented by a record 13 runners. Some 100,000 racegoers took in the action, either live on track or via simulcast at Happy Valley. HKJC officials later acknowledged that those numbers were likely inflated by fans moving in and out and maybe in again to claim one of the souvenir hats that was being given away. Turnover for the 10-race program conducted under fair skies and mild temperatures was HK$1.518 billion, or just over US$195 million. Spectacular any which way you dissect it.

While the HKIR were a rousing success by any metric, racing in Hong Kong might be described at something of a crossroads. The Sprint division has been historically strong and was good enough to retain the trophy last weekend, but there is no standout at the moment. If Able Friend has indeed abdicated the throne, the same can be said for the local milers. Beauty Only has been a very solid horse from 1400-1600m for the last two years or so, but neither is he a goliath. Perhaps of most concern is the local middle-distance horses. Gone, apparently, are the days of Viva Pataca (GB), Vengeance of Rain (NZ), California Memory and Akeed Mofeed (GB). Despite a first-up win this year, Designs on Rome looks to have lost a step or two. The old veteran Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) was retired this week at eight and a horse like Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) is also not getting any younger. The future of the division looks to lie in the hands of Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), last year's Hong Kong Derby and G1 QE II hero, who was forced to miss this year's HKIR, but will be back for the second half of the season and, with any luck, next year's HKIR. Secret Weapon also figures to remain at or near the top into the springtime.

For us devotees of racing in the region, there will be much to follow over the next three months as we move into the 4-year-old series. Though he was upstaged again Sunday, 'TDN Rising Star' Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal) still has the right to grow up a bit and can make some noise, as could Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss), already rated a lofty 114 and whose race last Sunday was anything but an abject failure. Like Werther in 2015, Eagle Way (Aus) (More Than Ready) took out the Class 2 over 1600 metres in the Sunday nightcap while making his Hong Kong debut and having his first run since winning the G1 Queensland Derby last June. He will only improve for added distance–exactly how much more is the question. Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}), who ran second in the G1 Rosehill Guineas last term when raced as Montaigne (NZ) and G1 New Zealand Derby third Raghu (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) have yet to start in Hong Kong, but trialled second and third down the straight this past week. There are others currently on the outside looking in from a ratings standpoint, such as Dinozzo (Ire) (Lilbourne Lad {Ire}), a last-start winner over 1800m at Happy Valley. He looks set to run at a light weight in a Class 2 over 2000m Dec. 27 as he tries to improve his Derby prospects. And though he is not a Classics candidate, Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) bears watching. The bay took his record to four wins from six starts with a front-running win in Class 2 Sunday over 1200m. His final time of 1:09.16 compared favorably with that of Aerovelocity in the Sprint (1:08.80).

Another HKIR–the 'greatest show on turf'–is in the books for another season, but the Hong Kong racing season is really just getting going. I'd like to offer my personal thanks for your readership over the course of last week and to Barry Weisbord and Sue Finley for once again giving me the opportunity to spend the week in Hong Kong. Happy holidays to one and all.