Romance Warrior and California Spangle take part in their season-long opponent’s rubber match in the historic Hong Kong Derby on March 19 at Sha Tin Racecourse at Sha Tin Racecourse with post placement and precautions The pandemic clarifies the problem.
The Derby, dating from 1873 and limited to 4-year-olds, is always a high point of the Hong Kong racing season. The Derby win resonated with local owners, coaches and fans, even with the famous Hong Kong Jockey Club squad in the international 1st place race. The owner coveted the trophy for bragging rights. And the list of past winners is filled with names that have gone to glory.
Sadly, this year’s renewal will take place in front of an empty stand as the fifth wave of the pandemic keeps Hong Kong under tight quarantine procedures. Not even the owner of the runner will be present.
It’s a pity because the race promises a lot of attraction.
Romance Warrior, a Welcome gelding, won the first leg of the series, the Hong Kong Classic Mile, chasing the California Spangle, Starsangledbanner gelding, will eventually win 1/2 the length and remain undefeated after five starts.
When the grass series moved to 1,800 meters (about 1/8 mile) in the Hong Kong Classics Cup, the luck of the draw went to the Romance Warrior and track athlete Karis Teetan. Draw 13 out of 14, Teetan spent the first half of the race looking over his shoulder, desperate to find his way towards the tracks. Unlucky with that, he was forced to take the overland route and was only able to finish fourth when the freestyle California Spangle came back and won.
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Fortune came before the Derby when the California Spangle painted gate 10 with the Two-Stage Romantic Warrior on his inside. Faced with the challenge of going 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 mile), with potentially no positional advantage, cyclist Zac Purton doubts whether the California Spangle is up to the task.
“I don’t think the number 10 is a big barrier for us,” Purton said. “Unfortunately, we have some speed runners drawn inside of us who are sure to try and keep their place. But our horse had a racing pattern. stable, so we have to use our pace and hope we can get past too many of his exploits.
“If he can succeed, it will be a monumental performance.”
The problem is complicated by the short distance to the first turn in the 2,000 meter configuration at Sha Tin.
“It could turn out badly for us,” Purton said. “It was a horrible draw for us. But it is what it is.”
Teetan was much happier with the draw.
“I’m confident he’ll get the ride,” Teetan said. “If we can jump well and put him in a good position, I think he will run the distance with no problem and I think this time he will show us a nice forefoot. mine.”
Of course, there’s a lot of potential discomfort. Coach Caspar Fownes offers two schools in this renewal—Senor Toba and Rocket Spade. Senor Toba drew a 3, which since 2000 has produced four wins, two seconds and two thirds.
“We’ll always look at the stats if they’re in our favor, and if they’re not, we’ll try to change them,” Fownes said.
And track and field athlete Joao Moreira explained the benefits of that post.
“From gate three, you really have the benefit of being where you want to be. You can either press in and get a little closer or if you still want to let your horse find its own rhythm, you’ll still find yourself there. in front Most of the horses are jumping from the outer gate,” Moreira said.
Also coming back to try again is Turin Redsun and Money Catcher– second and third place finishers from the Hong Kong Classic Cup.
Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges noted something odd: Michael Kinane on behalf of the Club acquired Romantic Warrior for sale internationally. Kinane also rode Che Sara Sara to victory in the Derby, in 1996, when it ran over 1,800 metres.
Looking forward to the race, Engelbrecht-Bresges reflects, “I have no doubt the race will live up to its merits even if, sadly, we are unable to satisfy our customers, members and owners your precious possession because the pandemic situation is worsening.”
