Hong Kong: Small but mighty Running Glory tries to scale Class 2 company

Running Glory is one of the smaller horses in Hong Kong but that doesn’t stop him from winning prolifically. Running Glory began this Hong Kong season, and his career, finishing 11th in a Class 4 handicap on Nov. 21. He since has won four of six starts while his Hong Kong rating has risen from 52 to 81, and Running Glory tries the Class 2 handicap level for the first time in the featured third race on Sunday at Sha Tin.

A New Zealand-bred 4-year-old trained by John Size, Running Glory weighed in for this contest at 985 pounds, making him the lightest horse in the 10 races Sunday at Sha Tin. Only one other participant on the card tipped the scales at under 1,000 pounds and Running Glory is nearly 200 pounds lighter than the heftiest horse in race 3, The Rock.

The little fellow, however, is very handy and determined. Since he got fully fit and figured out racing, Running Glory, a horse with zero early speed, has won twice over 1,400 meters, once at the 1,600-meter trip he tries Sunday, and, most recently, in a one-turn, 1,800-meter contest. Running Glory comes willingly through traffic and has shown determination and the ability to sustain a rally – at least facing Class 3 and Class 4 competition. He faced only six foes in the Sunday feature and carries just 119 pounds, 10 fewer than top-rated Beluga. His regular rider, Joao Moreira, is suspended and Alexis Badel takes the mount.

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The Rock had a productive 2020-21 Hong Kong campaign, but this season has been a struggle for the gelding. Trainer Caspar Fownes has tinkered with equipment, tried The Rock on dirt and at Happy Valley, but so far to no avail. The Rock might be able to make a clear lead Sunday but has lacked spark throughout his season.

C P Brave raced for the first time in blinkers in his most recent start, and whether because of the equipment change or other factors, he stuck closer to the lead than had been the case in previous races. He also got a jockey change to Ruan Maia when beaten a nose at this class level and distance, and C P Brave could fall into a favorable trip Sunday.

Golden Sixty not going anywhere

Golden Sixty, Hong Kong’s best horse, won’t travel to Japan for the Yasuda Kinen next month, his connections announced earlier this week. Golden Sixty had been considered for the trip after a sharp win in the Group 1 Champions Mile. Instead, Golden Sixty will be put away for the season with an eye toward winning his third Hong Kong Mile in December.