The 2022 Longines Hong Kong International Races will kick off on 11 December with four Group 1 events, including the Longines Hong Kong Mile featuring the Local Horse of the Year. sixty . gold won the third in a row in that race.
The Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1), usually a strong point for Hong Kong athletes, was no different this time around though Japan provided reliable competition and Singapore took a turning point. Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1), often the weakest link in the locals’ chain at 2,400 meters (about 1.5 miles), found runners from France, Germany and Ireland chasing him. won the event twice. jar of gloryfor the top prize.
And the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1) at 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles), has attracted some of Japan’s best middle-distance runners.
The event is being held under somewhat relaxed pandemic-related rules allowing for greater engagement by fans and relationships. However, strict testing requirements have resulted in some participants being forced into quarantine after testing positive upon arrival in Hong Kong and prevented two equestrian athletes from claiming their places. in the midweek competition.
Golden Sixty, 7 years old Medaglia d’Oro gelding, has won the Mile in the past two years. Coach Francis Lui said his steady star still shines even though he admits he has reached his peak and faces young forces in Sparkling California4 years old Sparkling banner gelding and explicit heirs.
In their last meeting, Golden Sixty went all out to catch up to their young rival, winning by a margin of BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile (G2). But it was Golden Sixty’s return from the summer break and he conceded 5 pounds. Innovation in balance.
The rematch was even more exciting on December 8 as the California Spangle led the pack took 2nd and the Golden Sixty in 4th and coach Francis Lui continued to praise the Golden Sixty.
“Everything is fine, happy and healthy,” Lui said. “In his races, he still seems to have his fighting heart. That’s the point. I think the California Spangle and the Japanese horses will be the biggest challenges. Racing is racing, Anything can happen.”
California Spangle galloped on Sha Tin’s dirt track three days after the race, and driver Zac Purton reported continued progress.
“California Spangle seems to have developed well and we will take the lead again,” said the top Hong Kong driver. “We haven’t beaten him (Golden Sixty) yet but we will try. And the track conditions may suit us.”
School of 10 horses for Mile also salon who finished third in last year’s run and Schnell Meister a 1st grade winner in Japan.
In the cup, the reigning champion BMW Hong Kong Derby Romance Warrior had a nice victory in local preparations to face Ireland’s global race Australian orders 2020 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile winner awarded by PDJF (G1T) and last seen finishing sixth in the same race in November at Keeneland.
The Japanese team in the Cup has Panthalassa hot winner in Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1) and runner-up in Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) in his final start; Jack D’Orwinner of seven out of 12 starts and fourth in Tenno Sho; Danon boy, runner-up in the Miles Championship (G2) in his last start; the winner of 2000 Guineas (G1) of this year’s Satsuki Sho Japan, Geoglyphsand Lei Papale 1st grade winner at home last year and sixth at Sha Tin.
Hong Kong has won seven of the last eight Sprints and looks to be settling back into things like fast growth. lucky luckymultiple groups 1 winner Wellington and last year’s winner, Field of Heaven. They will have to face Gendarme and Naran Huleg1st and 3rd place in the recent Sprinters Stakes (G1) in Nakayama.
The regular one is one of the most exciting races on the show as the 2,400 meters is rarely held in Hong Kong, opening the door for expats who see it as a “medium distance” challenge. normal. The aptly named jar of glory won the races in 2019 and 2021 and returned in search of the hat trick.
Jockey Joao Moreira said Glory Vase is training well for his comeback from a 1,000-meter comeback on December 9.
“I’m extremely happy with the job,” Moreira said. “He seems to have forgotten that he is a year older. He is still galloping as good as ever.”
Coach Aidan O’Brien brings broom who has been fighting at the highest level worldwide for many years, finishing second in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) in 2021 and sixth in last year’s renewal; Stone Age , last seen with second place in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T); and Bolshoi Ballet winner of the 2021 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) and sixth in that year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf.
bubble gift and plant represent France in the vase and mendocino fly the German flag.
The Longines International Equestrian Championship on December 7 at Happy Valley Racecourse ended in a tie to contest the top title between Silvestre de Sousa and Tom Marquand. Those two, plus Vincent Ho and Derek Leung, each won one of the four points races but no one was able to add another spot that would have broken the tie. Top local rider Zac Purton and top international names including Ryan Moore, Hollie Doyle and Jamie Kah were all eliminated in a format where a blind draw for mounts is more important than riding ability.
Scheduled participants Yuga Kawada and Mickael Barzalona withdrew late after testing positive for COVID.
