Some big races at Sha Tin over the weekend leading up to International Day on December 13^th. The best of the Hong Kong brigade got to put in their final preparation runs before the big day. Three Group 2 races over 2000m, 1600m and 1200m are run under a set weights and penalties arrangement that sees recent Group 1 winners carry a five pound ‘penalty’. This often favours the up and coming types or those without recent runs on the board, and today was no exception, with two of the three winners benefitting from the allowance.

First up was the Longines Jockey Club Cup over 2000m. Helene Happy Star, started favourite, presumably because punters thought he’d take a front running role and would be as hard to run down as he was in The Queen Mother Memorial Cup back in May (on a yielding track). For me he was a false favourite. As the race panned out he settled back in mid-pack.

The race settled down and Khaya took up the speed, with the other Helene (Super Star) tracking him. Both Blazing Speed and Military Attack took nice positions just off the lead.

As they turned for home Blazing Speed hit the front for a time, but Zac Purton eased Military Attack into a challenging position and he started to make ground on Blazing Speed. It turned out to be a great battle in the run home, but eventually the five pound allowance began to take affect and Military Attack found his way into the lead and over the line first.

Beauty Only settled well back in the run, but came home strongly to finish third under Gerald Mosse, easing any queries about his ability to get the 2000m trip. Dominant also finished his race off well, and will go into the Vase in form.

Going forward to International day, the connections of Blazing Speed would be very happy to meet the place getters at level weights.