Take Your Pick in the Sprint

In a renewal of the G1 Hong Kong Sprint that has several winning chances, at least one thing is for certain–they don’t have to worry about Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) for the first time in three years. 

With no such monsters around, a case can be made for at least half of today’s 14 entrants. Lucky Nine (Ire) 
(Dubawi {Ire}) took the race the last time the Japanese runner did not, and even at age seven, appears to be rounding into the form it will take to join Falvelon (Aus), Silent Witness (Aus), Sacred Kingdom (Aus) and the aforementioned as repeat winners.

After successfully defending his title in the G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint last May, trainer Caspar Fownes gave the gelding plenty of time and programmed a single prep run in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint. But things didn’t go at all according to script three Sundays ago. A horse who has often been plagued by gate issues, Lucky Nine jumped well and was in contention, but struck traffic in the lane and fell all the way back to last of 14. That he was able to re-rally into fifth to Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) was full of merit and a clean passage could land him on the wire this afternoon. 

“Obviously, on paper it’s a very competitive race,” Fownes reasoned. “There’s not much between the sprinters, but there never is here in Hong Kong. You always hope you’ll get out in clear running and he’ll get his chance. I’m sure he’ll be close because he’s very well.” 

Though there were no straws in his path, it was no easy race for Peniaphobia in the Jockey Club Sprint, as he was never closer than three or four wide the trip, but still came home well to best Smart Volatility (Aus) (Danewin {Aus}) andFlagship Shine (Aus) (Tale of the Cat). 

“If he can sit just off the pace, fourth or fifth, I’ll be happy,” said Peniaphobia’s trainer Tony Cruz, who orchestrated the career of Silent Witness. “He’s got a great chance. He’s the youngest horse in the race, but he’s up to it. He hasn’t got the early speed any more so I’ll be happy if there’s pace on.” 

Sterling City (Aus) (Nadeem {Aus}), who led home a Hong Kong 1-2 ahead of U.S. Grade I winner Rich Tapestry (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March, was never allowed to let down in the Jockey Club Sprint, literally unable to extend at any juncture. He too can factor without as much trouble. 

Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) has overcome an injury scare this week and will take his place in the gate this afternoon. He is expected to be one of the chief speeds in the race and can be dangerous from the front if he doesn’t receive too much pressure from Singapore’s Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City), who drew out wide. The latter came into the Jockey Club Sprint perfect in six starts at home, but reportedly did not handle the right-turning track and was absent any other excuse in 13th. 

So competitive is this running that Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), closest to Lord Kanaloa last year; and the talented and accomplished Gordon Lord Byron (Ire) (Byron {GB}) were north of 30-1 in early wagering.