Letsgohorseracing - Hong Kong & Asia

Details: Published: 29 March 2010; Created: 29 March 2010

THE NATIONAL newspaper in Abu Dhabi reports today that the builders of Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, which had a spectacular grand opening over the weekend, are to invest in a US$4billion development in China.

The report suggests that ‘Meydan Phoenix City’ will be a joint venture between International Equine Group (IEG), the investment arm of Meydan Group and TAK Design Consultants, and the Chinese companies Tianjin Farm Group and Zhouji Jiye.

Details: Published: 19 March 2010; Created: 19 March 2010

CHAMPION sprinter Sacred Kingdom has made a whirlwind recovery from a life-threatening colic attack and will attempt to win his third Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint at the end of the year.

Alan Aitken reports in today's South China Morning Post that the world's joint top-rated sprinter and six-time Group One winner was struck down with a twisted bowel as he was in the process of boarding a flight to Japan in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Details: Published: 15 March 2010; Created: 15 March 2010

FOR champion trainer Caspar Fownes and nine times champion jockey Douglas Whyte the HK$16 million Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby of 2010 proved the dream come true, with both stars opening their accounts in the most prestigious race on the Hong Kong domestic racing calendar.

It was by only a head that Whyte, already a legend in Hong Kong racing, got the son of Danehill Dancer up to collar the Tony Cruz-trained Super Pistachio, but a head in racing is as big a margin as an inch in golf or a line call in any sport.

Details: Published: 12 March 2010; Created: 12 March 2010

JOCKEY Shane Dye returns to Hong Kong on Sunday to ride former Australian galloper Fair Trade in the Derby after his friendship with the owner saw him replace Brett Prebble.

Alan Aitken, writing in the South China Morning Post, wrote this piece on Dye which we reproduce with their compliments:

Details: Published: 11 March 2010; Created: 11 March 2010

HONG KONG'S stars will come under fierce pressure from overseas in the two international races on April 25 as the record number of entries for both the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup and the Champions Mile includes outstanding G1 performers from every continent.

HKJC Executive Director of Racing William A Nader, expressing his delight at the depth of the possible invasion force, commented that: “This response from horsemen from around the world reflects the continuing and developing strength of racing in Asia as well as the APQEII’s status as one of the world’s major 2000m races.

Details: Published: 02 March 2010; Created: 02 March 2010

JAPAN RICHES TOO TEMPTING FOR SACRED KINGDOM TO RESIST?

THE lure of massive prizemoney in Japan could be too tempting for the owners of champion Hong Kong sprinter, Sacred Kingdom, to resist, according to the South China Morning Post.

Leading racing writer Alan Aitken reports: ‘Like any star galloper two years on, Sacred Kingdom now has the looks of a consummate professional rather than the bold, marauding new kid in town of late 2007, when he first drew world attention.

Details: Published: 22 February 2010; Created: 22 February 2010

TRAINER Ricky Yiu Poon-fai threw out the tantalising prospect of his top sprinter Sacred Kingdom staying at home for the third leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series next month after the six-year-old champion strolled to an easy victory in the Hong Kong Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize, 1200m, at Sha Tin on Sunday beating trainer John Moore's pair of Sunny King and Happy Zero.

Owner Sin Kang-yuk indicated he would like to see the horse race in Japan next month and would soon discuss with the trainer for a final decision.

Details: Published: 17 February 2010; Created: 17 February 2010

ENGLISH trainer Sean Woods stunned an 85,000-strong Chinese New Year crowd when his British import King Dancer came from well back in the field to beat the strongly supported Super Satin and ranging favourite Beauty Flash in the Hong Kong Group 2 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial over 1800m at Sha Tin on Tuesday.

The betting turnover on the day reached a staggering HK$1,161 million, which rose by 10.4 percent when compared to the turnover in last year’s Chinese New Year raceday. A sum of HK$141 million from today’s turnover is attributed to the Government as betting duty, while another HK$54 million is shared by the Club as gross margin.

Details: Published: 02 February 2010; Created: 02 February 2010

FANS of top class international racing will be looking forward to an exciting Asian Mile Challenge (AMC) in 2010, judged on the initial nominations that include a record number of Group 1 winners for the US$11.2m series to be held between February and June.

An impressive tally of 402 nominations have been received for this year's Challenge comprising four Group 1 races in Australia, Dubai, Hong Kong and Japan and featuring some of the very best milers in training worldwide.

Details: Published: 01 February 2010; Created: 01 February 2010

HONG Kong's and the world's top sprinter Sacred Kingdom proved his class yet again when he ran out a smart winner in the Hong Kong Group 1 Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup, the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday.

However, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile winner Good Ba Ba was denied yet another hat-trick of victories in the first leg of the Triple Crown, the domestic Group 1 Stewards' Cup, when a fast-finishing third to Fellowship and Thumbs Up in this mile event.