Hometown hero Vincent Ho can bask in Golden moment at Sha Tin

This is an FWD Hong Kong Champions Day that local hero Vincent Ho might have dreamed about. Not only does he attempt a 17th win on superstar Golden Sixty in the Champions Mile on Sunday, he also partners Japanese filly Loves Only You in the QEII Cup.

It is a pity that because of Covid restrictions only 6,000 are expected at Sha Tin, for Ho has a huge following who would surely have produced a celebratory roar of approval for any win delivered by the homegrown talent.

The HKJC has worked miracles to keep racing going in difficult times, with the International Races and Jockeys’ Challenge proceeding uninterrupted in December, although this Champions Day has been affected.

Richard Gibson flies the flag for Britain in Chairman's Sprint with Wellington

The Japanese, staunch supporters of this meeting, bring the only foreign challengers this year, as early interest shown from European stables evaporated as the pandemic there reached crisis levels. Kohei Matsuyama is the only visiting jockey to have flown in for the day.

But the quality of the Japanese contingent ensures this Champions Day remains relevant in the context of providing an international gauge to the elite who occupy the upper rungs in the world rankings.

Golden Sixty was only 6lb below top-rated Ghaiyyath in the 2020 world rankings compiled by a panel of international handicappers. His performance will be monitored closely.

7.50am Sha Tin Sunday

Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Group 1) | 6f (turf) | Sky

It is impossible to oppose Danon Smash after seeing this classy Japanese visitor win the Hong Kong Sprint in December, overcoming a wide draw (14 of 14), which many considered impossible against such a strong field.

Ryan Moore’s tactical flair won that day, but no such demands should be made this time on Joao Moreira, who gave nothing but positive reports after partnering his new mount in track work this week.

Takayuki Yasuda raised a few eyebrows when he declared Danon Smash the equal of his sire Lord Kanaloa, who he also trained.

Danon Smash, favourite for the Chairman's Sprint Prize on FWD Champions Day at Sha TinCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Lord Kanaloa was responsible for two of the best performances seen at the Hong Kong International Races when landing back-to-back wins in the Hong Kong Sprint. He went on to become an outstanding stallion, notably as the sire of champion Almond Eye.

Usually, the Hong Kong sprinting ranks are particularly strong but not at present. Hot King Prawn sits this one out, while the future for Classique Legend, the much-discussed winner of The Everest, lies back in Australia following a fleeting and frustrating stint in Hong Kong.

Richard Gibson’s Wellington looked a potential world-beater when working up through the ranks but he turned in a stinker last time, for which no excuse has been found. Possibly a wide draw may have contributed to his poor fifth to Amazing Star in the Group 2 Sprint Cup, and if so, those remaining loyal will be happier with gate three this time.

Amazing Star had always shown promise in easier races but he was totally unexpected when getting up at 178-1 at Sha Tin earlier this month. Stronger is another who has been showing potential. Others to consider for minor placings behind Danon Smash are Beauty Applause and Sky Field.

Recommendations
1 Danon Smash
6 Wellington
12 Beauty Applause

8.55am Sha Tin Sunday
FWD Champions Mile (Group 1) | 1m (turf) | Sky

Vincent Ho might well be asking what could possibly go wrong as Golden Sixty lines up against a group of well-exposed opponents he could eat for breakfast at his peak.

With only six runners, a race such as this can often become a tactical battle, but even here, luck is on Ho’s side as Golden Sixty has drawn stall five, which means the jockey has plenty of options.

He has already shown he is not afraid of staying wide to keep out of trouble. His constant worry is getting boxed in on the rails but that seems most unlikely here.

Joao Moreira regards Golden Sixty as unbeatable if he brings his A-game. The hopes of all rivals will be that the champion has an off-day.

Trainer Francis Lui and the owners of the gelding should be applauded for reverting to the Mile with Golden Sixty who, although twice successful over 1m2f, is definitely more potent over 1m. It is a sensible call for a racehorse who possesses a devastating turn of foot, the stamp of a world-class performer.

Southern Legend won this last year, defeating the long-reigning champion Beauty Generation, who was just on the decline. The Caspar Fownes-trained stalwart has been second on his last four starts but that is no disgrace at the highest level.

Moreira will hope for a genuine pace as he partners More Than This, Golden Sixty’s stablemate, for the first time. He says he has every confidence his mount will be staying on strongly, happy he can come with a long run on this former Richard Fahey-trained gelding.

Recommendations
1 Golden Sixty
2 Southern Legend
5 More Than This

FWD QEII Cup (Group 1) | 1m2f (turf) | Sky

With Japan supplying four of the seven runners declared for this time-honoured race – inaugurated in 1975 and run in the presence of HM The Queen under lights at Happy Valley – the visitors should, by rights, be controlling the race.

Kiseki is a noted front-runner, whose connections have praised Hong Kong stalls handlers for their sympathetic treatment of their sometimes anxious horse, so if on his best behaviour, he could dictate.

The only obstacle in his path is Time Warp and Joao Moreira, who also will want to do the same. With either scenario, the pace should be decent, which will play into the hands of Zac Purton and Exultant. The pair are attempting back-to-back wins in the QEII and Exultant was also second in the 2019 edition.

Exultant and Zac Purton land the 2020 FWD QEII CupCredit: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Exultant caught the eye with an excellent effort in a recent barrier trial at Sha Tin, so expect him to run a big race, especially now that stablemate Furore has dropped out through injury.

Glory Vase has been inspected by HKJC vets following reports of lameness, while highly rated Daring Tact, winner of the Japanese Fillies’ Triple Crown, will be partnered by regular rider Kohei Matsuyama, who could be at a disadvantage riding Sha Tin for the first time, especially starting from the inside gate at the tricky 2,000m start.

Vincent Ho has been called up for 2019 Japanese Oaks winner Loves Only You, who showed her class with a fighting third behind Mishriff in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on her last start.

Loves Only You is trained by flamboyant Yoshito Yahagi, who failed to win in Hong Kong with world-class Lys Gracieux, who then went on to win a Cox Plate in Australia. Yahagi is keen to get his name on the QEII roll of honour and this is a fine chance to do so.

Recommendations
7 Loves Only You
2 Exultant
6 Daring Tact

Betting on Hong Kong racing and the World Pool

Hong Kong is the home of the world’s largest tote pool which continues to grow rapidly thanks to commingling partners around the world betting into it.

It means British and Irish punters can bet into the pool knowing there is huge liquidity so prices are less likely to fluctuate, while there will never be a problem getting bets on.

Next week, the World Pool will be in operation for 2,000 Guineas day at Newmarket which is another example of the world coming together to grow tote betting.

More about that later but first up we have FWD Champions Day at Sha Tin on Sunday morning which is live on Sky Sports Racing.

Sadly there are no European representatives this year but with a strong contingent from Japan taking on the locals, including superstar Golden Sixty, it promises to be a thrilling meeting.

Hong Kong tote bets can be placed in Coral and Ladbrokes betting shops as well as online with the Tote, Coral, Ladbrokes and many others.

In addition to the normal win and place bets, the Quinella – the most popular bet in Hong Kong – is the equivalent of a reverse forecast or exacta.

The Quinella Place – known in Britain as the Swinger – lands if the punter finds two out of the first three horses home in any order.

There are also ‘exotic’ bets available for British and Irish punters such as the Tierce (Trifecta in the UK – 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the correct order) and Trio (Combination Trifecta – 1st, 2nd and 3rd in any order) which can result in huge dividends.

The Tote will also run one of its most popular bets, the Placepot, on tomorrow’s card.

Although the Placepot is not a Hong Kong pool, the competitive nature of racing in the territory often results in big payouts for a small outlay.

As in the UK and Ireland, punters need to find a horse to finish placed in the first three in all six of the specified races.

If there are seven runners or fewer only the first two horses home count but it’s worth remembering the maximum field size in Hong Kong is 14.

That then brings us on to next week’s 2,000 Guineas day World Pool at Newmarket, the first World Pool event in the UK this year.

First launched at Royal Ascot in 2019, the World Pool has grown significantly since then with a total of £137 million bet into the pool at Royal Ascot in 2020, a growth of 49 per cent year-on-year.

With more bets from different countries coming into the World Pool it ensures even greater liquidity, stability of odds and the opportunity for huge payouts through exotic bets – not to mention the ability to place decent-sized bets without being restricted.

The bet types in operation for Newmarket will be win, place, Quinella, Quinella Place and Trifecta, so there are plenty of options to get involved in whether betting at Sha Tin on Sunday or Newmarket next Saturday.

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