A small field has accepted, but the depth of talent suggests that the 2020 Hong Kong Cup could be one of, if not the best contest at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Magical is one of the world’s best middle-distance horses, but there is no doubt he’ll need to be at his best to justify his favouritism and beat home the likes of Furore and Danon Premium this weekend.
You can find my 2020 Hong Kong Cup tips below.
Suggested Bets
- 3 Units straight out Magical
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
His form and class is simply too good to look past, and I’ve put Magical on top of my 2020 Hong Kong Cup tips.
Out of the legendary Aidan O’Brien stable, Magical has recorded twelve wins and seven minor placings from her twenty-five career starts and has been at her brilliant best this year.
Having resumed in June to win the Group 1 Pretty Polly at The Curragh, she beats subsequent Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet in the Group 1 Gold Cup before running second behind Ghaiyyath in the Juddmonte.
Having returned to winning form in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes last time out, she arrives in Hong Kong has an absolute world beater, and Ryan Moore has travelled to ride.
The Australian racing fraternity was introduced to Danon Premium during The Championships earlier this year, and he can run a big race in the Hong Kong Cup.
The Deep Impact entire has been a model of consistency throughout his career, and has beaten some of the world’s best horses on the journey.
Having ended his 2019 preparation with consecutive second-placings behind Almond Eye in the Tenno Sho and Indy Champ in the Mile Championship, Danon Premium arrived in Australia to contest the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and finished third behind the rock-hard fit Addeybb and Verry Elleegant.
He finished fourth ion the Tenno Sho when resuming last month and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again on Sunday.
He began his racing career in Australia, but there is no doubt that Furore has found his best since touching down in Hong Kong, and he can run a big race in the Cup on Sunday.
The winner of last year’s Hong Kong Derby, Furore needed the run when he finished down the order in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy in October but simply hasn’t looked back; winning both the Group 3 Ladies’ Purse and the Group 2 J.C. Cup in the wake.
He is at peak fitness for this race, loves the 2000m and is obviously right at home under the conditions at Sha Tin.
Skaletti simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race and he looks to be the value in Hong Kong Cup betting ($7 at publish).
The French gelding was virtually unstoppable in 2019 and won seven races in succession, including three in black type company.
Has hast missed placing in five starts back from a spell this time and won both the Group 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron and the Group 2 Qatar Prix Dollar before finishing second behind Addeybb in the Group 1 Champion Stakes last time out.
He is another horse that appears to be suited by the conditions right down to the ground and he can fight out the finish of the Hong Kong Cup.