Bristling with emotion, Luke Ferraris has jubilated in My Wish’s HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) triumph for trainer Mark Newnham at Sha Tin on Friday (31 January), prompting the young South African to reflect on Sweet Orange’s success in the same race in 2012.
Trained by Ferraris’ father David, Sweet Orange’s victory 13 seasons ago remains one of Ferraris’ most vivid memories from his childhood in Hong Kong.
The Saudi Cup, with its $20 million purse, was created, at least in a strictly sporting sense, to bring together the leading middle-distance runners from around the world. While the enterprise hasn’t failed, the race’s last four winners – Senor Buscador, Panthalassa, Emblem Road, and Mishriff – hardly rate as global superstars.
But this winter, three weeks away from the sixth Saudi Cup, the race appears to be conforming to its creators’ vision.
Three winning streaks are at risk in Friday’s Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney, Australia.
Accredited and Disneck have won their last three starts, while Willaidow has won his last two appearances. The trio are part of a field of nine in the Southern Cross Stakes, which is part of a 10-race program that includes two Group 3 races for Southern Hemisphere 2-year-olds.
First post time is 8:30 p.m. Eastern or 5:30 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Chasing his first Class 2 Chinese New Year Cup Handicap (1400m) victory, Pierre Ng is armed with two decent chances in the HK$2.84 million feature at the Chinese New Year meeting on Friday (31 January).
Apprentice jockey Britney Wong will partner Drombeg Banner, while visiting jockey Jamie Melham will ride Aurora Lady for Ng in the Chinese New Year Cup, the traditional feature of Chinese New Year Raceday.
David Hayes will chase a third victory in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on Friday (31 January) when the dual Hong Kong champion trainer unleashes Rubylot in the first leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series.
Now in his second stint in Hong Kong, Hayes first tasted success in the feature with Resfa, who triumphed for Basil Marcus in 1999 when it was named the Hong Kong Classic Trial, and struck again in 2001 when Shane Dye scored on Charming City.
The Chinese New Year Raceday is one of the biggest events of the season at Sha Tin racecourse, typically drawing a large holiday crowd, and the HK$2.84 million Chinese New Year Cup Handicap on Friday, 31 January has attracted 11 smart entrants, including Group 3-winning Healthy Happy.
After setting a new Hong Kong wins record (1,814) on Wednesday night (22 January) at Happy Valley, leading rider Zac Purton starred with a four-timer at Sha Tin on Sunday afternoon (26 January) – headlined by a Class 2 double on the 11-race programme.
Masterfully handled by Purton, Sunlight Power dominated the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Hong Kong, China Team Celebration Cup Handicap (1600m) before the Australian’s exceptional skill was on full display again atop Gorgeous Win in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Para Equestrian 1200m Handicap.
A week after they delivered promising performances in separate races at the same venue, Saltcoats and Tajanis lead a field of nine in Sunday’s $126,200 Australia Day Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Warwick Farm Racecourse in Sydney.
As of Friday, both Saltcoats and Tajanis were 2-1 in early betting, with Tajanis more likely to claim the role of favorite by post time.
