Champions Day like no other as Moore bids to claim final big-race spoils

Like so many events in a coronavirus-affected world, Hong Kong's premier spring meeting – Champions Day at Sha Tin – has a different ambience in 2020.

Most years, the meeting acts as a natural progression from Dubai World Cup night, a starting point for Europeans as the Flat season begins, a stepping stone to the world for the Japanese, a layover for Royal Ascot-bound Australians and a final hurrah for Hong Kong's top thoroughbreds as the end of their season approaches.

This year, the three Group 1 races on the card – the QEII Cup (1m2f), the Champions Mile and the Chairman's Sprint Prize (6f) – will be contested solely by local runners.

In one sense, it makes Champions Day unremarkable. The international competition creates an aura around the December and April meetings, even though all of Hong Kong's Pattern races are now open to visitors.

But this year's Champions Day shapes as a fitting celebration to one of the true legends of Hong Kong racing at what is his final "international" meeting before his departure from the local ranks.

Trainer John Moore turned 70 last month, reaching a mandatory retirement point under Hong Kong Jockey Club rules. Most trainers must retire at 65; a rule was introduced just as Moore approached that age, stating that trainers in the top five in number of winners or on earnings at the end of each season could have their licence extended until 70.

Moore, who has been training out of Sha Tin since 1985 after taking over the stable of his legendary father George, asked for another extension, but the Club confirmed he will be forced to retire. Instead, Moore will return to his native Australia, where he will form a training partnership with his brother Gary in Sydney.

Moore, a seven-time champion trainer, has established a reputation as Hong Kong's big-race handler over the past 15 years, filling a void left by the retirement of the late Ivan Allan and the departure of David Hayes. His top horses have included Viva Pataca, Military Attack, Designs On Rome, Able Friend, Sterling City, Werther and Rapper Dragon, while his all-time career earnings are approaching HK$2 billion (approximately £200 million).

On Hong Kong racing's Mount Rushmore, Moore would be guaranteed one of four spots, as would fellow trainers Tony Cruz and Douglas Whyte. The fourth is debatable.

For Cruz and Whyte, who also send out runners in Sunday's features, their exploits in the saddle earned them a berth. Cruz has had a tremendous training career over the past 25 years to cement his position, while Whyte, a 13-time champion rider, is in his first season as a trainer.

Moore is different. An amateur rider who once managed a treble at Happy Valley, he was – in his words – a "pretty unremarkable jockey". Given his father and brother rode winners of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, on Saint Crespin and Gold River respectively, his achievements in the saddle pale in comparison.

Moore's position comes solely from his training achievements, which have been extensive.

This day, in its many iterations, has been kind to him before. He boasts eight Champions Miles, five QEII Cups and four Chairman's Sprint Prizes to his name.

The Australian's representation this year is light but powerful. His stable star Beauty Generation will look to become the first horse to win the Champions Mile three times, new kids on the block Aethero and Thanks Forever aim for a first Group 1 win in the Chairman's Sprint Prize, while Eagle Way lines up in the QEII Cup.

Beauty Generation and Aethero, in particular, shape as leading contenders, although both are at different stages of their career.

Beauty Generation is the old-stager, the two-time Horse of the Year, a champion who has shown glimpses of vulnerability and chinks in his armour this season.

Credit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Aethero is the young upstart, the temperamental but incredibly talented speedster who looms as Hong Kong's next big thing. Like a hormonal teenager, the three-year-old is experiencing growing pains as he still comes to terms with what the racing caper is all about, but the world is his oyster once he figures it out.

With the eyes of the world on Hong Kong on Sunday, Moore can once again dominate on the biggest stage with victories in the Champions Mile and the Chairman's Sprint Prize.

On his Hong Kong curtain call, expect a show like no other.

Read more

Moore eyes record-breaking Champions Mile hat-trick with Beauty Generation

Tony Cruz: Hong Kong's hometown hero continues to shine at the age of 63

Jim McGrath with three top tips for Sha Tin's Champions Day card on Sunday

Placepot and Swinger advice for Sunday's cracking card at Sha Tin

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