The world’s focus will be on the famed Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday for another stunning edition of the Hong Kong International Races.
Four Group 1 feature races that are packed with talented headline the ten-strong program, and I’ve found a selection in each below in my 2022 Hong Kong International Races Tips.
Perfetto has shown a bit off the track since his debut prep and can make a winning return at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The son of Awesome Rock finished down the order in each of his two starts during his first campaign, but he has clearly furnished, and recent jump-outs have hinted at improvement.
Hugh Bowman rides this week, and I am happy to have a small play to open the account.
The Hulk hasn’t been seen at the races since September, but he has shown ability and raced well fresh previously, and he has an experience edge over a few key rivals in this contest.
The Spirit Of Boom gelding made just one appearance at the races last time in, and kept his best work for late to only just miss.
Joao Moreira jumps into the saddle for this contest and expect the horse to be flashing late again.
Ready To Win is another galloper that closed off well at his last appearance, and I am confident that he will deliver on his name at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The Tavistock gelding needed his first two runs back this time to tune up, but his last-start effort suggested that a win is not far away.
He’s drawn to receive a lovely run this week and can deliver the Frankie Lor yard an early winner on International Raceday.
The first Group 1 feature of the meeting has attracted a typically strong field of international stayers, including the classy Stone Age for champion Irish horseman Aidan O’Brien.
The northern hemisphere three-year-old has stamped himself as one to watch with some excellent performances in several countries, and he was last seen finishing second in the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf in the United States.
O’Brien’s ability to pick races for his gallopers is second to none, and I am very confident that Stone Age will get the job done in Hong Kong under Ryan Moore.
There is a case to be made for a few of them in this year’s Hong Kong Sprint, but I am going to side with something of an Australian connection, as James McDonald pairs with the Japanese-trained Meikei Yell.
Meikei Yell has been a strong and consistent performer in some of Japan’s best sprints throughout her career, and she resumed last time for an eye-catching win in the Group 2 Sankai Sho before a luckless run in Group 1 company.
The booking of McDonald obviously enhances her claims and I think that she can upset leading local Lucky Sweynesse.
Sweet Encounter has hardly put a hoof wrong since debuting, and he looks the one to beat in Race 6 at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The Toronado gelding stamped himself as one to watch by winning each of his first two starts with something in hand, and was only just denied over 1400m here following a month between runs.
He responded with another eye-catching performance and victory over the mile last time, and the 1800m looks as though it will be perfect for him.
Champion miler Golden Mile is chasing his third win in this contest and understandably, has attracted plenty of interest in Hong Kong Mile betting.
The now seven-year-old son of Medaglia D’oro has maintained his position as one of the world’s best middle-distance horses for a few seasons now, and after ending his last prep with a smart win in the Group 1 Champions Mile, he returned with another stunning performance and victory in the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile.
This is harder, but that race is sure to have brought him right on, and I’m happy to follow him and the story!
Noteworthy inclusion, the Annabel Neasham-trained Laws Of Indices also goes around in this contest and will be steered by James McDonald. He’s an excellent galloper and my second pick, so I will also have something on him each way.
I’m siding with another Japanese raider in the Hong Kong Cup – the classy and consistent Jack D’or.
Jack D’or has notched an impressive seven wins and two minors from his eleven career starts to date, and won over 2000m at Group 2 level in a hit-and-run mission in August.
He returned with a nice effort to finish fourth, beaten a length and a half in the Tenno Sho in late October, and this is arguably a weaker race.
With improvement and under the legendary Yutaka Take, I think that this looks an ideal Group 1 target for him.
Interesting race this one, and I’m going to have a speculative play on former Aussie Bon’s A Pearla, who lines up for David Hayes for the first time.
She was unlucky not to record a Group 1 victory for Kevin Corstens during her Australian tenure, and Bon’s A Pearla was a typically consistent performer throughout her last prep, hitting the line to finish fourth in the Australasian Oaks at her last appearance.
Her trials since arriving in Hong Kong have been full of merit, and this looks a lovely launchpad for her.
Blaze Warrior only just missed when resuming and can go one better in the last at the Hong Kong International Races.
Blaze Warrior has been a good horse for the Size yard since arriving in Hong Kong, and he really couldn’t have done much more without winning when fresh.
With improvement and in a race that isn’t really any tougher, I am confident that he can make his presence felt.