In the seventh instalment of The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Road to the Derby series, we dial in on what history suggests might happen from here after Little Paradise’s stunning HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) success at Sha Tin on Sunday (1 February).
By Declan Schuster
Regal Gem (116lb) tops the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge on 42 points, and trainer Frankie Lor is eyeing overall success when the galloper lines up in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Blue Pool Handicap (1200m) on Wednesday night (4 February) at Happy Valley.
Lor said: “I’m trying to win the Million Challenge with him. Sometimes he has had difficult draws, so it hasn’t been easy this season. We’re leading by six points, and at this moment, we can’t say who will win – it’s still very close.”
Paul Lally
R1 8-2-1-7
R2 1-4-2-7
R3 8-3-2-1
R4 1-5-3-7
R5 4-3-10-5
R6 11-3-6-7
R7 8-5-9-2
R8 6-8-2-7
R9 3-6-5-9
Best Bet R5 N4 Forza Toro
Longshot R4 N1 Young Bravo
Play R7 QQP 5-8-9
Tom Wood
R1: 2-8-1-3
R2: 1-4-7-2
R3: 8-3-2-4
R4: 4-3-1-6
R5: 10-4-6-8
R6: 11-3-4-5
R7: 12-8-5-6
R8: 6-2-8-7
R9: 9-5-4-6
BEST: R2 N1 FATAL BLOW (WIN)
VALUE: R9 N9 WIN BEAUTY VIVA (EW)
PLAY: R9 QQP 4,5,9
By Leo Schlink
Emphatically dispelling stamina doubts, Little Paradise surged to a devastating victory in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (1 February) to underline imposing credentials for the remainder of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
By Paul Ryding
It’s a peculiarity of Hong Kong racing: two classy four-year-old imports, both with highly credible overseas form, each bred to get the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) distance and Privately Purchased (PP) with the Four-Year-old Classic Series in mind. Yet one takes flight, the other remains grounded.
Ahead of the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (1 February), the contrasting fortunes of Sagacious Life and Shanwah during their brief time in the city could hardly be starker.
By Paul Ryding
The advantage lies with championship leader Mark Newnham as the Four-Year-Old Classic Series gets underway with Sunday’s (1 February) HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin.
The Australian handler, who currently holds a narrow one-win lead at the top of the trainers’ standings, goes into the weekend’s feature with four of the 14 runners prepared in his yard.
By Declan Schuster
Maxime Guyon captured Hong Kong racing’s ultimate glory when he won the 2011 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) aboard former champion Ambitious Dragon, and this Sunday (1 February) at Sha Tin, the elite French rider takes his shot at landing the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) aboard Top Dragon for trainer Chris So.
By Declan Schuster
Amazing Kid (130lb) has found his rhythm, and jockey Andrea Atzeni is optimistic the John Size-trained speedster can complete a hat-trick of wins in Wednesday night’s (28 January) first section of the Class 4 Lockhart Handicap (1200m) at Happy Valley.
During his familiar mid-season surge, Size has returned eight wins in January after slotting six in December. He trails the championship-leading Mark Newnham by 13 wins with 20 for the campaign as he chases a record-extending 14th training title.
