Another HKIR week has finally arrived. I’m so looking forward photographing some quality horseflesh over the next few days. There are a large number of visitors here and hopefully I’ll get to publish images of them all this week, along with as many of the locals as possible. It was a quiet start this morning, with no turf gallops and most horses barely getting above a canter.
Persian Knight
Persian Knight won G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto in 2017 and was beaten a head in the same contest earlier this month. The Mile seems his best trip, although he does boast a 2nd in the Osaka High to Suave Richard earlier in the season. He gets back in the field, so that will be a challenge for him, as running down Beauty Generation is no easy task.
As with most horses, he had a quiet morning on the dirt track. Work rider Hiroyuki Uemura said: “He has not lost weight travelling to Hong Kong, which is good. All has gone well so far and he is becoming familiar with the new surroundings.”
Latrobe
Australian owned, but trained in Ireland by Joseph O’Brien, Latrobe represents the same trainer/ownership combination that won the 2017 Melbourne Cup with Rekindling.
Latrobe won the Irish Derby this year, beating fellow Vase contender Rostropovich. Like Rostropovich he travelled to Melbourne for the Cup, but connections decided against a run there. He did contest the McKinnon Stakes (2000m), where he was a close 2nd to Trap For Fools. On his way back to Ireland he makes a stop here for the Vase.
He cantered two laps of the all-weather track under regular work rider Martin Doran. Mark Power, assistant trainer to Joseph O’Brien, said of Latrobe: “He took the journey from Melbourne like a pro and has lost very little weight. It just took him a couple of days to settle in, but he seems in great shape now.”
Comin’ Through
Some ridiculous quarantine restrictions imposed in Australia mean that horses trained there find it very difficult to come to Hong Kong. They have to spend 180 days in another country, before being allowed back into Australia. However the connections of Coming’ Through have not been deterred, making the trip to Hong Kong to contest the Mile. He is off to Dubai after Hong Kong, so can serve his 180 days there.
A G1 winner at 2000m, he also has a 2nd placing in a G1 Doncaster Handicap at a Mile. His spring preparation in Australia has not seen him in great form.
Trainer Chris Waller said: “The horse is good. He travelled well and he’s settled in well and very much taken it all in his stride. He’s stabled on his own which is always a challenge with horses but he has a mirror in there so at least he can look at himself.
“Look, he’s a good horse who’s just lost a little bit of form. Earlier in the year, he did run second in the Doncaster Mile at the distance and won the Doomben Cup.
“We’ve kept him really fresh and you won’t see him gallop here. I want him bouncing out of his skin for this race. He’s a good fresh horse, in fact his fresh record is fantastic including winning at his first run this season; so, were hopeful but obviously it’s a strong race and we’re taking on Beauty Generation. I’ve followed him closely and he (Beauty Generation) is in great form and going to be very hard to beat.”
Mozu Ascot
The son of Frankel has progressed into top miler this spring, peaking in G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo in June and he had no luck in his latest run in G1 Mile Championship. He’s not raced on anything other than firm ground and generally is ridden off the speed.
He cantered one lap around the all-weather track. Assistant Trainer Toshimine Tamai: “He travelled like a professional, no problems. He is settling in and eating well.”
Vivlos
I’m so glad connections have bought this mare here, I’ve am a big fan of hers. An underrated winner of the Dubai Turf in 2017 she went back to defend the title this year and was beaten by Banbatl, who has since campaigned well in Australia. This is likely to be her swan song and hopefully she puts in a good showing.
Assistant trainer Shinji Yasuda: “This is her third time travelling abroad, so she is pretty used to it. She is doing well and has been in a good mood since arriving here.”
Deirdre
Deidre is seven-time winner, who landed G1 Shuka Sho in 2017. She then went on to be third in G1 Dubai Turf in March and is unbeaten in two races since, latterly a 1800m G2 in October. She joins compatriots Staphanos and Sungrazer in the Cup. On her latest win, she is a very real chance in this.
After cantering an easy lap of the dirt work rider Yuta Komiyama said: “She has travelled overseas before, when she went to Dubai this March, so she flew in here without any problems. She was startled a bit with the new surroundings here when she worked on the track, but she is in great condition.”
Lim’s Cruiser
This classy sprinter from Singapore was successful in G1 Lion City Cup at Kranji in May. He had a break after that and returned recently with an emphatic victory in a conditions race at on the 20th November.
Trainer Stephen Gray said: “He’s settled in well. He was a bit hot yesterday but is much more settled this morning. The trip was only eight hours from box to stables here so we’ve been able to easily keep his routine.
“We’re honoured and proud to be here. It’s good for the stable and staff and my family and good for Singapore. It’s always been my ambition to have one good enough to bring here. I’ve been 18 years in Singapore trying to get one and he’s probably the best sprinter in Singapore since Rocket Man. We’ve set him for the race after only having the three runs this year. He should have won first-up back in April and he has won his two since.
“Some cut in the ground would help him. He’s a sit quiet and run home horse who also loves a good speed. He’s been well tried over further as you do in Singapore and most of Asia with the three and four-year-old series of races but he’s done very well confined to sprinting. Maybe that strength will enable him to sit back and finish off here. To be realistic it’s a strong race but we’re not here just to eat the noodles.”
Thanks to the team from the HKJC for quotes from connections!