The three big races are upon us and after observing some of the horses through the week, it’s time to find a winner. Two of the races are a bit tricky, but of course the Mile does look a procession, so we’ll start there.

FWD Champions Mile

With Hong Kong having such a dominant horse in Beauty Generation, this field has come up a fairly plain affair. It’s not anyones fault that no one wants to take him on, but it is a little disappointing that the field is small and light on for chances. However it is another opportunity to celebrate a Champion horse and that’s what this race is all about. I’m looking forward to seeing him accelerate away at the top of the straight.

There is some interest in picking the minor placings and I will be looking to Conte and Seasons Bloom to do that. Conte was, on the face of it a little disappointing last start, but I’d expect him to bounce back here. Seasons Bloom has had an ordinary season to date, but did catch the eye when he was rattling home in the Chairmans Trophy last start. However I’d say this was a good race to sit back and enjoy a champion.

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Numbers: 1/2/3

Chairmans Sprint Prize

Four international visitors are here to take on what is a strong home team in the Sprint. The home team did take a hit this morning with the scratching of dual Hong Kong Sprint winner, Mr Stunning, who has had some foot issues during the latter part of the week.

Australia’s Santa Ana Lane is the top rated of the visitors and comes here off a strong win in the T J Smith Stakes (G1) three weeks ago. If he brings that form here, he’s a massive chance. The other Australian is Viddora, who comes here off a fairly good run in the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. She finished 4th there, although was well beaten by the three place getters. Nac Venus from Japan is the lowest rated of the raiders and has not tasted success at G1 level as yet. Her last run in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen was disappointing, prior to that she boasted two runner up efforts this season. Enzo’s Lad is a dual winner of the G1 Telegraph Handicap over 1200m, winning both times at long odds.

This race is tricky from a pace point of view as there is no obvious leader here. Nac Venus is usually prominent and did lead all the way to score at G3 level in Sapporo last August. Little Giant has lead previously, but more by default than design and connections would prefer to sit behind the pace. The New Zealander Enzo’s Lad can also race handily, but is not expected to lead. Santa Ana Lane comes from the back and would appreciate a good pace.

Given the pace scenario it could be tricky for Santa Ana Lane, unless Nac Venus goes quickly. It’s likely to be an average pace. Beat The Clock will likely be fairly handy in the run and has a good sprint when Moreira lets him go. He’ll be hard to run down if he’s had an easy time of it. Rattan surprised last time, upsetting Mr Stunning and Beat The Clock in the Sprint Cup three weeks ago by coming from off the pace and over the top of his more fancied rivals. He has to meet his rivals at level weights here, but that win indicated he should be taken seriously at 1200m.

I’m going to put Santa Ana Lane on top, but he is under the odds at his current quote (even money). Beat The Clock is the one to beat, after that it’s difficult, but I’m looking to Rattan and Little Giant.

Numbers: 1/3/4/5

FWD QEII Cup.

Three visitors from Japan and a horse representing Great Britain, but is owned and trained by New Zealanders and to top it off Kiwi hoop James McDonald flies in to ride Eminent. Two of the Japanese have been here before, Deirdre ran 2nd to Glorious Forever in the Hong Kong Cup in December and Lys Gacieux was also second in the Vase (to Exultant). Win Bright comes here in good form, with back to back wins at G3 and G2 level at Nakayama.

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From a local point of view Exultant comes here in great form, winning his last three, two of which were at G1 level. Connections seem to have worked him out and he has matured into a strong staying type, albeit without a turn of foot.

The four year olds come out of their Derby preparation into open company, and it is always interesting to see how they fare. We haven’t seen Furore since his Derby win. Waikuku and Dark Dream competed in the same C1 race three weeks ago, which Dark Dream won and Waikuku looked a little ordinary.

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Glorious Forever, Time Warp and Pakistan Star are the proven International G1 winners representing the home team. The brothers Glorious Forever and Time Warp take sibling rivalry to a new level, with both wanting to lead races at all cost, mostly to their detriment when both are in the same race.

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So we have Time Warp and Glorious Forever going forward, with Eminent likely to roll on as well. Waikuku drew wide in the Derby and dropped back, he faces a similar scenario here. I’m not sure that Moreira will want to burn him up, however if the opportunity presents Moreira will roll forward as Time Warp and Glorious Forever could present that opportunity. Bowman gave Furore a pearler in the Derby from a wide gate and will need all his skill to get a good position from gate eight here. The pace should be genuine. This should allow the Japanese fillies to finish off from back in the field as they did in December at HKIR.

Tipping a winner here is difficult, but I’ve been really taken with Lys Gracieux during the week and she comes here off an ideal prep run, where she ran second to Danon Premium in the Kinko Sho over 2000m. I think the 4yo Derby form will be solid and Furore can finish in the money. Pakistan Star is drawn to get a good run and was good at his first start for new trainer Paul O’Sullivan. His horses improve second up usually and I’m expecting him to run well here. Eagle Way was massive behind Beauty Generation at a Mile, and will be better suited here.

Numbers are: 12/5/8/6

If you want to play any other races on the card look out for:

Race 2 Number 1 Dan Control

He’ll be short but looks really promising

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Race 5 Number 4 Pakistan Friend

Looked a bit flat first up, but I expect some improvement second up for new trainer Paul O’Sullivan

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