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Afros
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Posted: 12 Dec 2021 at 8:49pm |
That fall in the sprint was sickening to watch live!
Also good to see Russian Emperor run well in the Cup, just for a moment in the strait it looked like he may pinch it!
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Gay3
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Posted: 13 Dec 2021 at 10:51am |
Apparently Amazing Star 'went amiss' causing the carnage https://racing.hkjc.com/racing/information/English/Reports/RaceReportFull.aspx
Race:5 (247) THE LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT (Sec1) Group One 1200 m HOT KING PRAWN shifted out at the start and bumped COMPUTER PATCH. COURIER WONDER shifted out at the start and hampered NABOO ATTACK. PIXIE KNIGHT began only fairly and then was steadied in the early stages to obtain cover. STRONGER began awkwardly. From a wide barrier, WELLINGTON was also steadied and shifted across behind runners in the early stages. In the early stages, AMAZING STAR travelled wide and without cover. Passing the 1000 Metres, RESISTENCIA raced tight between STRONGER and LUCKY PATCH. In this incident, RESISTENCIA bumped the hindquarters of STRONGER. After the 900 Metres, DANON SMASH was left racing wide and without cover. After being crossed by AMAZING STAR (L Hewitson) near the 800 Metres, LUCKY PATCH commenced to travel keenly and was awkwardly placed behind that horse for some distance approaching and passing the 700 Metres. Whilst the Stewards accepted that LUCKY PATCH was traveling keenly at this time when being crossed by AMAZING STAR, nonetheless L Hewitson will be advised to ensure that he provides proper clearance when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Approaching the 600 Metres, LUCKY PATCH shifted out away from the heels of AMAZING STAR and bumped DANON SMASH. Near the 550 Metres, AMAZING STAR went amiss and fell, resulting in L Hewitson being dislodged. LUCKY PATCH, which was following, was unable to avoid AMAZING STAR and also fell, resulting in Z Purton being dislodged. NABOO ATTACK was unable to avoid LUCKY PATCH and also fell, causing K Teetan to be dislodged. PIXIE KNIGHT, which was following NABOO ATTACK, was unable to avoid the fallen AMAZING STAR, resulting in Y Fukunaga being dislodged. DANON SMASH was severely checked in this incident and was eased down. STRONGER, which was racing to the inside of LUCKY PATCH. was severely checked. When STRONGER was severely checked, RESISTENCIA was badly hampered, shifted in and inconvenienced SKY FIELD as that horse was shifting to the outside of HOT KING PRAWN. WELLINGTON was also badly hampered in consequence. A veterinary inspection of AMAZING STAR immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained injuries to both front legs. A veterinary inspection of NABOO ATTACK immediately following the race found that horse to have sustained an injury to the right front leg. A veterinary inspection of PIXIE KNIGHT immediately following the race found that horse to be lame in its left front leg and an endoscopic examination also showed a substantial amount of blood in the horse's trachea. A veterinary inspection of DANON SMASH and LUCKY PATCH immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. K Teetan was subsequently examined by the Chief Medical Officer and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements. Before finalising this matter, the Stewards will interview L Hewitson and Z Purton who were unable to be interviewed at the track due to being transported to hospital. At the entrance to the Straight, RESISTENCIA was bumped by SKY FIELD which improved into tight running between that horse and HOT KING PRAWN which shifted out. Approaching the 300 Metres, COMPUTER PATCH raced tight inside COURIER WONDER which got its head on the side and lay in. Approaching the 200 Metres, SKY FIELD was shifted out away from the heels of COURIER WONDER (J Moreira) which shifted out abruptly. As the Stewards were satisfied that J Moreira had reacted in a timely manner in correcting COURIER WONDER, no further action was taken. B Shinn (SKY FIELD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that over the concluding stages he permitted his mount to shift in under pressure, resulting in COURIER WONDER being unnecessarily hampered when crowded for room inside SKY FIELD and having to be steadied away from the heels of that horse passing the winning post. In the circumstances, B Shinn was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on Sunday, 9 January 2022 and to expire on Monday, 17 January 2022 on which day he may resume race riding (3 Hong Kong racedays). LUCKY PATCH, SKY FIELD and RESISTENCIA were sent for sampling. Samples were also taken from AMAZING STAR and NABOO ATTACK.
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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!
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TJMitchell
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Posted: 13 Dec 2021 at 7:35pm |
Purdy (ribs, nose) and Lyle (hip, small brain bleed) out of ICU. Fukunaga (collarbone) waiting on a flight home.
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Time is a flat circle
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goldey
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Posted: 14 Dec 2021 at 11:27am |
Thanks for the update TJ.
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TJMitchell
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Posted: 21 Feb 2022 at 5:15pm |
Hong Kong Derby winner Sky Darci had to be humanely euthanised after shattering his left-hind joint at the 800m mark of the Hong Kong Gold Cup.
Saw him break down but didn't realise he had to be put down.
Man, HK has lost a few in a very short space of time.
Edited by Gay3 - 21 Feb 2022 at 5:23pm
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TJMitchell
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Posted: 21 Feb 2022 at 7:17pm |
Thanks gay
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TJMitchell
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Posted: 07 Apr 2022 at 8:46pm |
The Jockeys' Championship is closer than ever!
Zac Purton - 98 Joao Moreira - 98
I would call that...neck and neck
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TJMitchell
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Posted: 24 Apr 2022 at 9:19pm |
Owners of Golden Sixty have accepted an offer from the JRA to run in the Yasuda Kinen in Japan
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djebel
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Posted: 24 Apr 2022 at 9:22pm |
Greats stuff.
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reductio ad absurdum
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Gay3
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Posted: 02 Aug 2022 at 1:28pm |
South Australian Derby winner Jungle Magnate has landed in Hong Kong to begin his new career with Tony Cruz. Jungle
Magnate was purchased by Patrick Kwo, who owned Beauty Generation, with
bloodstock agent George Moore brokering the deal and telling Racing.com in June he would be set for next year’s Hong Kong Derby. Jungle
Magnate, a $75,000 son of Tarzino, won four of his nine starts in
Australia in the care of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr. The
flight consisted of 19 horses from Australia which also included two
new acquisitions for David Hayes in Queensland Derby starter Satirical
Glory and an unraced son of Astern named Thunderchief, who had trialed
under the Lindsay Park banner back home. Former
Lloyd Williams-owned import Grid, who was subsequently sold to clients
of Smiley Chan this year, has also landed in Hong Kong to be trained by
Benno Yung. A five-length debut win at
odds of $1.22 was enough to get the deal done for connections of the
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Legend Of The Fall who won at
Bairnsdale in May and joins the Pierre Ng stable. Western
Australian stakes winner Left the Building also arrived with one-time
VRC hopeful Samarkand and Kilmore maiden winner Tipungwuti. Renowned
traders Price Bloodstock also exported three unraced geldings who had
been in the care of Alan and Jason Williams and Patrick Payne.
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TJMitchell
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Posted: 02 Aug 2022 at 1:32pm |
Grid is a strange one
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Gay3
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Posted: 22 Aug 2022 at 3:10pm |
A Group 2 placegetter and another "genuine Group horse" were two of
the latest Aussie gallopers to head to Hong Kong to continue their
racing careers. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Can’t
Go Wong finished second in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes back in
March before a down the track performance in the Group 1 Australian
Derby. The four-year-old son of Per Incanto has joined the Frankie Lor stable. Another
high-profile galloper on the latest shipment is Peter and Paul
Snowden’s former handy sprinter Calgary Stampede, who joins Benno Yung’s
team. The Snitzel three-year-old gelding finished second in the
Inglis Nursery and the Listed Oxlade Stakes in Brisbane during the
winter carnival. The
third high-profile export was the Gerald Ryan and Sterling
Alexiou-trained Sinba which has gone to Hong Kong to be prepared for
next year’s Hong Kong Derby in March. Sinba has been transferred for champion Kiwi trainer Jamie Richards. “The
original plan was for his to stay here until the end of the spring in
his four-year-old season but there was a change with the arrival
conditions for the Hong Kong Derby, so he had to go early than we’d
hoped,” Gerald Ryan said. “He’s a lovely horse, a horse we never saw the best of here. “He’s a genuine Group horse and he should appreciate getting firm tracks in Hong Kong.” Undefeated
Tavistock gelding Another Rally, formerly trained by Patrick Payne, was
another on the shipment and heads to Tony Cruz.
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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!
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Gay3
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Posted: 30 Aug 2022 at 6:34pm |
Impressive maiden winner Tattenham has quickly been snapped up by Hong
Kong buyers and will continue his career there for new trainer Pierre
Ng.Prepared in Victoria by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young,
Tattenham came from last to storm over the top of his rivals and win a
maiden at Cranbourne by three lengths last month at just his second race
start. He will now be conditioned by Ng, who is about to embark
on his first season as a trainer in Hong Kong and previously worked for
the likes of David Hayes, David Payne, Chris Waller and Mick Price as
part of his training apprenticeship, while in more recent times, he's
served as the assistant to Francis Lui, the trainer of champion miler
Golden Sixty.
Fellow lightly raced galloper Alcedo has also made the trip to Hong Kong to join top trainer Frankie Lor's stable. Alcedo
was trained by Leon and Troy Corstens, who he had one start for, an eye
catching second placing in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes at Flemington. Others on the flight to Hong Kong last week include Queensland
galloper Majestic Colour, a winner of his past four starts, as well as a
pair of staying types, Caulfield winner Elzamee and WA Derby runner up
Pale Rider. Overall, 13 horses were on the plane from Australia to
Hong Kong last week, six of them previously raced horses and seven who
haven't yet raced.
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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!
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Gay3
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Posted: 16 Sep 2022 at 6:38pm |
Nick Ryan’s unbeaten galloper Mr News has been sold to Hong Kong and is set to join the stable of Douglas Whyte.
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Gay3
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Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 3:40pm |
What a shame
Ready To Run Inglis 2022
The sale grossed more than $15.5 million, with 20 of the 28
highest-priced lots purchased to race in either Hong Kong or Singapore.
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Carioca
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Posted: 12 Oct 2022 at 3:54pm |
Wonder how many John and young George bought , he couldn't fire a shot here .
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Gay3
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Posted: 23 Oct 2022 at 3:33pm |
Former Tony and Calvin McEvoy trained three-year-old Twin Stars
headlines the latest group of Australian horses that arrived in Hong
Kong earlier this week. The Zoustar colt won the Magic Millions
Two-Year-Old Classic at Murray Bridge in March before going on to claim
the G3 South Australian Sires’ Produce Stakes at Morphetville during the
Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival. Twin Stars will now be trained in Hong Kong by local conditioner Benno Yung. Nick Ryan's unbeaten galloper Mr
News and The Problem With, who won twice under the training of Mick
Price and Michael Kent (Jnr), also were on the flight to Hong Kong that
arrived in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Two of Chris
Waller’s former gallopers, Chain and Podium, will continue their careers
in the Asian racing hub, as will Nishikado, who was owned by Price
Bloodstock and won both of his starts in South Australia. Overall, 25 Australian horses made up the latest planeload of horses to Hong Kong, including 19 unraced gallopers.
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Wisdom has been chasing me but I've always outrun it!
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TJMitchell
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Posted: 24 Nov 2022 at 8:48am |
Joao Moreira has handed in his Hong Kong licence and is planning a global farewell tour beginning at Sha Tin next month.
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Grey Affair
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Posted: 11 Dec 2022 at 5:23pm |
The G1 Hong Kong Vase over 2400m has been won by Win Marilyn (5m Screen Hero x Cosmo Cielo, by Fusaichi Pegasus) defeating Botanik & Glory Vase.
The winner is trained in Japan & ridden by Damian Lane. Last start, she ran 2nd in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Cup in Japan. Her dam, Cosmo Cielo, was bred in Australia & related to stakeswinners here.
The Kong Kong Sprint coming up next. The market dominated by Lucky Sweynesse & Wellington.
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Second Chance
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Posted: 11 Dec 2022 at 5:39pm |
Thanks GA. Damian is just thriving in Japan, and now in HK.
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Grey Affair
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Posted: 11 Dec 2022 at 5:48pm |
Just trying to work out what is going on with Gendarme. Surely he should he one of the favourites but there are huge odds available about him in some places.
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Grey Affair
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Posted: 11 Dec 2022 at 5:55pm |
Wellington wins the G1 Hong Kong Sprint from Sight Success & Sky Field.
I've heard excellent judges suggest he is the best sprinter in the world!
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Second Chance
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Posted: 11 Dec 2022 at 6:07pm |
Who's to argue, though the place-getters appear somewhat talented 2nd graders at the higher level which begs the question.
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Grey Affair
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Posted: 11 Dec 2022 at 7:09pm |
The G1 Hong Kong Mile has been won by California Spangle (4g Starspangledbanner x Pearlitas Passion, by High Chaparral) defeating Golden Sixty (who had won this race twice before) & Laws Of Indices. Ridden by Zac Purton.
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djebel
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Posted: 11 Dec 2022 at 7:27pm |
Zac not at all impressed with Hughie.
Golden Sixty would still have his career winning streak intact if he was ridden by Purton or someone of that ilk.
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reductio ad absurdum
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Grey Affair
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Posted: 11 Dec 2022 at 7:49pm |
The G1 Hong Kong Cup over 2000m has been won easily by Romantic Warrior (4g Acclamation x Folk Melody, by Street Cry) defeating Danon The Kid & Money Catcher. Ridden by James McDonald.
He takes his record to 9 wins from 10 starts!
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TJMitchell
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Posted: 11 Dec 2022 at 7:50pm |
That was IMPRESSIVE
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Gay3
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Posted: 20 Dec 2022 at 1:33pm |
Derby placegetter moves to HK
This year’s Queensland Derby runner-up Paternal will continue
his racing career in Hong Kong, after arriving in the Asian city on
Monday night. Paternal, formerly trained by Chris
Waller, registered wins at Newcastle and Goulburn, before he was
narrowly in both the G3 Rough Habit Plate (2143m) and the G1 Queensland
Derby (2400m). Brisbane’s premier staying race for
three-year old’s has been used as a steppingstone to Hong Kong success
previously with the likes of Werther (second in 2015), Eagle Way (first
in 2016) and more recently, Senor Toba (second in 2021) all going on to
win at Group level in Hong Kong. Paternal will be trained in Hong Kong by Francis Lui, who also puts the polish on champion miler Golden Sixty. The
son of Savabeel is one of three ex-Waller horses who arrived in Hong
Kong last night, along with Hameron and Northern Beaches. The
planeload of Australian horses also featured 2021 Skyline Stakes winner
O’President, stakes level performer Capital Tower and Desert Star, a
Moe 1117-metre maiden winner who was runner-up to Elkington Road at
Flemington at his final Victorian start. Overall, 24
Australian horses were on the latest shipment to Hong Kong, eight of
those tried horses with a further sixteen unraced horses.
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djebel
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Posted: 20 Dec 2022 at 1:45pm |
The funniest thing about this particular signature is that by the
time you realise it doesn't say anything, it's too late to stop reading
it.
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reductio ad absurdum
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djebel
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Posted: 18 Jan 2023 at 12:02pm |
HONG KONG'S PARITY PROBLEM
Hong Kong racing’s stable numbers cap should work like a salary cap in a sports league.
One of the outstanding characteristics of the jurisdiction is the diversity of its handicap racing: it is typical to see a full field of 14 horses raced by 14 different owners and prepared by 14 different trainers. |
It
is a refreshing sight for a punter, especially compared with other
major jurisdictions like Australia, where smaller fields can be
dominated by multiple runners from stables so big they have multi-state
operations and a corporate structure.
In Hong Kong the
diversity has allowed dynamic, competitive racing and, critically, the
perception of fairness in an environment where wagering is paramount and
integrity is a priority to ensure customer confidence.
The 14
runners/owners/trainers dynamic is under threat by changes to the Jockey
Club licencing rules that include an increase in the amount of horses a
trainer can have in his stable, plus new permit rules that allow Hong
Kong’s richest owners to flex their numbers advantage even more.
When the HKJC
began expanding its training operations and opened the Conghua Training
Centre on the mainland in August 2018, nine trainers were given a head
start on their rivals. Not only were the “Conghua nine” given first use
of the world class facilities, but they were given ten extra horses
above the previous stable limit of 60.
It was part of a
trend that has helped the pointy end of the premiership at the expense
of the rest, and put the squeeze on those already struggling at the
bottom.
First came five year extensions for the higher-performers – the so-called ‘John Moore Rule’
– then after Moore was out in 2020, as much as ten extra years was on
offer for anybody else who could meet the new, and much more convoluted,
requirements. John Size will be a beneficiary beyond 70, and Francis
Lui and Ricky Yiu were granted extensions past 65.
At the bottom of
the premiership, those not meeting minimum benchmarks had always been on
a ‘three strikes-and-you’re-out’ deal, but now trainers low on the
ladder are on an even more slippery slope. At the start of 2020-21 it
was announced that not only would trainers need to get to 18 wins to
avoid a dreaded ‘strike’, only two wins from Class 5 – the bottom grade
of racing – can count towards that total.
This has put
trainers already struggling in an even tougher spot: typically the
trainers more likely to be already on career death row are those who
will have more Class 5-qualified runners.
Michael Chang is
walking the plank this season, he has two strikes, and 16 of his 30
raced horses are eligible for Class 5. He has four wins, none of which
were in Class 5, but it would seem almost a mathematical impossibility
for him to meet the minimum win criteria.
Some would suggest that is why there are minimum benchmarks: to weed out underperforming trainers and bring in fresh blood.
In theory that
works, but the system should also ensure some sort of parity so that
larger stables do not become all-powerful and dominate numbers-wise, and
that those struggling can conceivably climb back to contention. There
are doubts whether or not the current situation allows it.
The expansion to
70, and head-start given to some of the stables, has meant that there is
less of a ‘trickle down’ effect. Part of the benefit of a hard limit at
60 was that if top trainers wanted to import new talent, they were
forced to let go of second- or third-year horses that had reached a
plateau in the ratings. Those horses stuck on a limit with the big yards
were welcomed by those on the lower rungs. The powerful couldn’t simply
stockpile talent.
The 70 horse
limit has meant that the battlers no longer seem to be getting that
transfer boost, and the fact that the overall horse population hasn’t
grown, let alone reached the ambitious targets set ahead of the mainland
expansion, means that the bottom stables are under even more pressure.
With around 40
per cent of the season gone, four trainers have less than five wins
(Chang, Richard Gibson, Me Tsui and Tony Millard). Peter Ho, another on
two strikes, has eight wins and has already used one of his Class 5
victories.
The
aforementioned changes to ownership permit guidelines, rushed through to
address the horse population problem, won’t help the cause of those
stuck at the bottom or slipping. Owners can now have five horses in
training instead of four, and underperforming horses are easier to
replace, rather than transfer. The general upshot? The rich get richer.
At the bottom, uncertainty about licencing means it is hard for
struggling trainers like Chang or Ho to inspire owners to buy horses for
their stables.
One positive
since the retirement of John Moore has been that there are more trainers
in G1 races. Are the Group races ‘better’ or more competitive? Probably
not, but the success of new trainers Frankie Lor and Douglas Whyte,
plus the late career renaissance of Lui and Yiu has given the stakes
races a boost as a range of trainers battle it out.
The change in the
big race landscape is certainly a better look. A low point came in 2015
when John Moore’s four runners took on two John Size charges in a six
horse G1 Champions Mile won by 1.2 shot Able Friend. Officials may well
point to improvement in that area, but that isn’t the issue: Group races
make up less than five per cent of the schedule.
Imagine a Class 3
with a small field and three trainers represented? That could be where
we are headed if the season keeps getting longer – as planned – and
lower performing trainers are squeezed out, which is also happening.
The bedrock of
Hong Kong racing isn’t at the elite end, it is in the bread-and-butter
of Class 3, 4 and 5. Full and competitive fields are required to keep
the turnover machine whirring. Big fields with a full complement of
owners and trainers are needed to maintain the confidence of a tough
punting public.
The current
stewards panel, under outgoing chief stipe Kim Kelly’s leadership, has
avoided race fixing controversies – there hasn’t been an Independent
Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) charge for an on-track incident
during his tenure – and the Club has done exceptionally well to lift the
perception of the sport.
The club can help
maintain that hard-earned reputation for fair racing by striving to
maintain the 14 horse/14 trainer balance. To do that, a re-think of the
rules for the lower- and top-ranked trainers is required.
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reductio ad absurdum
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