The people of Hong Kong are fortunate in that they get to celebrate New Years on two occasions, the traditional Gregorian calendar and the Lunar New Year. However the thought of stumping up twice in less than a month for a celebration did not dampen the appetite for New Years racing, with around 80,000 in attendance and another 7000 over at Happy Valley betting off track. There were no red packets in evidence today, but a New Year is a chance to hit the reset button for a struggling punter (and if that doesn’t work it can be done again in a little over four weeks time).

The reality for participants is that it is just another date in a long season, not yet half way through. While not a major feature day it certainly has more of a buzz to it than many others.

Chinese Club Challenge Cup

Raced over 1400m under handicap conditions, the race bought together a small, but competitive field. All seven had then fronted the starter on HKIR day, in either the Hong Kong Mile or the Class One 1400m. Top weighted Contentment had found some form  in the Cup and has an enviable record over seven furlongs. Joyful Trinity was third in the Cup and was equal top weight, while Blizzard who won the Class 1 in December received 12 pounds from them both.

Blizzard drew wide, as he frequently does, and was forced to settle at the rear of the small field. However upon turning Moreira hooked him out wide and once he saw clear air, the result was never in doubt. His four year old campaign was consistent running third in both the Classic Mile and Classic Cup (1800m). The the Derby was a bridge too far, where he clearly didn’t stay the trip. Since then he has always been around the mark, but does have a habit of finding trouble in his races. He’s now put two wins together in good company and is getting the confidence and respect he deserves. The addition of the ear plus for his last two starts (see images below) seems to have had a settling effect on the son of Starcraft.

Whether he’s up to G1 company at set weights, is another question entirely and he may also be one of those horses who is in that racing purgatory – 1400 metres being his best distance – neither a miler nor a true sprinter. Trainer Ricky Yiu “He showed last season that he’s pretty versatile, he ran all the way up to 2000 metres in the Derby and he’s shown his ability at 1400, a mile, 1800 – at this moment, I can’t say for sure where I’ll put him next time. We need to sit down and think about it.”

After a comfortable win in Group company his rating will creep up, limiting the options for Yiu and his syndicate.

Zac Purton Four Timer

Purton came into the day with a solid book of rides, reflected in his jockey challenge price, where he was an even money second favourite to Moreira (1.75). However racking up four wins was no doubt well beyond expectations.

Wingold, Go Beauty Go, Star Of Patch and Seasons Bloom provided the quartet. Of the four, Seasons Bloom looks the most progressive. He was a touch tardy beginning from gate two, settling just behind mid-pack. Upon straightening his two main rivals in betting, Regency Bo Bo and Beat The Clock moved to the front and looked like they would fight out the finish. However Purton drove Seasons Bloom through along the fence and he won comfortably in the end and a ratings boost into Class 2 looks inevitable. Being a 4yo, no doubt a classic campaign will be in connections thoughts. On what we saw yesterday he certainly deserves a crack at the Classic Mile next.

Treble for John Moore

Another good day at the office for the Moore stable, with three winners.

Go Beauty Go (Zac Purton), King Mortar (Sam Clipperton) and Midnight Rattler (Brett Prebble). King Mortar, a 3yo son of Street Boss looks the most progressive of the three. Go Beauty Go looks a horse who will enjoy a slightly longer trip than the 1600m, perhaps 1800-2000m.

Brett Prebble was the first winning jockey for 2017, in fact he bookended the meeting for a double, and gave a little something for the photographers! The first of them was Rock The Tree, making it his 3rd win at his 49th Hong Kong start. Back up to the bottom of Class 4 for him.

Prebble also won the final race on Midnight Rattler an honest horse, who will cop a ratings bump here that may see him find his mark. He’s the only horse by his sire Clang in Hong Kong, in fact you don’t see many of them winning at metropolitan tracks in Australia where he hails from. He certainly has his fathers colour.

I can’t help myself with this one. Apprentice Dylan Mo scored his first Hong Kong win in the Class 4 over 1000m. He wrapped it up aboard Fish N’ Chips, a horse who seems to go well fresh (who’d want their F&C any other way). You wouldn’t say he battered the opposition, but he’ll get a ratings boost and see him take his plaice back in Class 3 next time. Well done Dylan!

Now we’re done with the corny jokes, Happy Valley on Wednesday night beckons!

Thanks to the HKJC for the quotes.