Intriguing match-up in Staunton Handicap

Three horses that ran in the Hong Kong Derby in March and one that could start in the 2020 running are part of an intriguing field in Sunday’s $249,115 Staunton Handicap at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong.

Run at a mile, the Staunton Handicap will be the Hong Kong debut of Thinkin’ Big, a two-time Group 3 winner in Australia in 2018 who is considered a long-term prospect for the Hong Kong Derby next year.

Now trained by Frankie Lor, Thinkin’ Big will have his first start on Sunday since finishing 12th of 16 in the Group 1 Victoria Derby at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, last November.

Thinkin’ Big was third in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes for Southern Hemisphere 3-year-olds last October. By High Chaparral, Thinkin’ Big won Group 3 races at Rosehill Gardens and Caulfield last September and October.

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In the Staunton Handicap, Thinkin’ Big will carry 128 pounds, four pounds less than topweight Circuit Glory, who is expected to be part of the pace. Thinkin’ Big will be ridden by former Italian champion jockey Umberto Rispoli.

Circuit Glory has won 2 of 9 starts during the current Hong Kong season, which began in September and ends in July. Circuit Glory is winless in three starts since a front-running victory by a short head in a handicap at about a mile and 50 yards at Happy Valley Racecourse in February.

The Staunton Handicap will have a maximum field of 14. The field includes Harmony Victory, Enrichment, and Gold Chest, who were eighth, 12th and 13th in the Hong Kong Derby in March.

Harmony Victory, a 4-year-old Brazilian-bred gelding, will carry 131 pounds and will be ridden by leading jockey Zac Purton for trainer Danny Shum. Harmony Victory was beaten 4 1/4 lengths at 34-1 by Furore in the Hong Kong Derby and was second by two lengths in a handicap at a mile at Sha Tin on April 28 in his only subsequent start.

Harmony Victory won two Group 1 races in Brazil in 2017 when racing under the name Cash Do Jaguarete. Horses frequently have their names changed when sent to Hong Kong.

Leading trainer John Size starts Hezthewonforus, who won a handicap at seven furlongs at Sha Tin on May 26 in his first start since July. Hezthewonforus can set the pace or race near the front and could be well placed if Circuit Glory takes an early lead.