Hong Kong diary: Moreira moves clear in title race with Sha Tin treble

Encouraging signs are emerging as Hong Kong continues to contain the spread of the coronavirus, with new infections down to single figures in recent days as renewed safety measures take effect.

Racing continues behind closed doors at Happy Valley on Wednesday and the updates on equine and human stars have been coming thick and fast.

Joao Moreira moved four ahead of Zac Purton atop the jockeys’ table with a Sha Tin treble on Sunday that was notable for the fact that the Aussie was his closest pursuer in all three races.

French import Antoine Hamelin bounced straight out of quarantine and into the spotlight with a double on his first day and the growing global interest in Hong Kong racing was marked by a 35 per cent increase in international commingling turnover.

William Haggas: trained Knight Shield before horse was shipped to Hong KongCredit: Edward Whitaker

Haggas import could face tough task on Happy Valley debut

The problem with importing horses from top trainers such as William Haggas is that coaxing improvement from them tends to be tough.

Look back to 2009 and Collection won a Hong Kong Derby having joined John Moore from Haggas. By contrast, recent big money Somerville Lodge transfers like Rivet and Lockheed are 0-40 combined since making the switch from Newmarket.

The next cab off Haggas's Hong Kong rank is Amazing Knight - who won two from two when known as Knight Shield last summer - and the Starspangledbanner gelding has trialled well enough for new handler John Size.

He is bound to corner a fair chunk of the market with Moreira booked but a Class 3 handicap at Happy Valley (3.15) is a tough school for newcomers and that man Hamelin has a live chance on his Valley debut aboard Victory Power.

Douglas Whyte's gelding has been running consistently well at this level despite a series of high draws but he jumps from the inside barrier this time and looks primed to go close again.

Happy Valley card

Pegasus can fly for in-form Schofield

Slowly but surely, Chad Schofield is carving out a breakthrough season.

The 26-year-old is averaging a winner a meeting over the last month and now lies fifth in the jockeys' table after recording his 30th success of the season on Sunday. He has several fair chances to extend his hot streak on Wednesday and Yee Cheong Pegasus looks well worth a second look in what should be a strongly-run Larch Handicap (12.15).

This Lonrho gelding has thrived since joining the canny Tony Millard last summer and lines up for a winnable Class 4 handicap after three fine efforts at Sha Tin, the latest a clear second behind an unexposed rival three weeks ago. A 2lb rise looks more than fair and, for all that the Valley offers a different test, Yee Cheong Pegasus travels like a horse who might just relish it.

Golden Sixty: unbeaten in last seven startsCredit: Hong kong Jockey Club

Sixty team still wavering as Exultant steps out

Stick with a flawless seven-race season or twist for a clash with Hong Kong's champion middle-distance stayer.

That is the dilemma facing connections of Golden Sixty and recent messages over whether the Hong Kong Derby winner will take on Exultant in next week's QEII Cup have been mixed.

Golden Sixty's trainer Francis Lui insists "everything his fine" but adds that "I just don't want to push him," while jockey Vincent Ho galloped the Medaglia d'Oro gelding on Tuesday morning and added "we're still discussing it, there's no rush."

Meanwhile, Exultant will bid to go one better than last year in the QEII Cup on the back of a rigorous turf trial on Tuesday morning. The former Irish Guineas third seldom shines in the mornings but Purton pushed him out firmly to nose ahead of old rival Time Warp as his preparations for the £2.5m showpiece continue.

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