Overview
HONG KONG CHAMPIONS DAY PREVIEW - SUNDAY 26TH APRIL
The focus of world racing switches to Hong Kong on Sunday for their spring racing spotlight Champions Day. What is highlighted by three Group 1 races - QEII Cup, Champions Mile and Chairman's Sprint Prize, the meeting features some of the world's top rated horses and Champion riders from all across the globe as they compete for enormous prizemoney and prestige. Race 5 - Chairman's Sprint Prize (1200m) 2:35pm The world's top rated sprinter Ka Ying Rising lines up for his 20th win in a row in the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize. The David Hayes trained gelding demolished the field in the Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m) here last start when he lowered his own track record running the distance in a mouth-watering 1:07.12. Last year's Everest winner looks to have a mortgage on this race as he meets a similar field to what he met in the Sprint Cup last start. There does not look to be any dangers to him but if you need to throw in a runner for the quinella then would be looking at the high-class Japanese sprinter in Satono Reve. He won at Group 1 level in Tokyo back in March and that form looks good enough to fill a placing behind the favourite. Helios Express has finished second to Ka Ying Rising in his last couple of starts. Hard to see him turning the tables on the Champion but he is a must if playing the exotics. TIPS 1. Ka Ying Rising 2. Satono Reve 3. Helios Express Race 7 - Champions Mile (1600m) 3:45pm The most difficult of the three Group 1 races to assess is the Champions Mile. It offers an array of quality milers from all over the world and is so even the favourite could start at $5 or even longer in this field. The Japanese world class miler in Jantar Mantar is a winning chance. He resumes from spell after winning the Group 1 Mile Championship in Kyoto back in November. If he can bring that form to Hong Kong he will be hard to beat. The Australian connection is with Docklands. The six-year-old will be ridden by top Victorian hoop Mark Zahra. He has raced well in Hing Kong prior and comes here off a Listed win in the Doncaster Mile (GB) last start. He has been a model of consistency at the mile over his career and would not be surprised to see him get away with this. Lucky Sweynesse must be respected in this field. He was placed behind Ka Ying Rising in the Jubilee Cup two starts back then took out The Chairman's Trophy here last start. Sure to sit in first couple and if he gets his own way will be prominent for a long way. There looks to be another couple of sneaky chances for first four players. Voyage Bubble won the Hong Kong Mile back in December while My Wish was a real eye-catcher from the back when just missed in The Chairman's Trophy so cannot leave out while Hong Kong Derby winner Invincible Ibis is the up and comer and no reason he cannot get away with this. TIPS 1. Jantar Mantar 2. Docklands 3. My Wish Race 9 - QEII Cup (2000m) 4:55pm This is the highlight of the three Group 1 races for me. Romantic Warrior has been demolishing fields with ease of late but the class rises here with some International superstars to test exactly where he is this preparation. Romantic Warrior, who has drawn ideally for James McDonald in barrier 5, comes into this after toying with his rivals in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup. Hard to tip against him as his record here speaks for itself but don't expect him to get it all his own way and he will be tested late. Masquerade Ball is resuming from a spell. A quality Japanese horse that won the Group 1 Tenno Sho Autumn back home when first-up last time in work before chasing home superstar Calandagan in the Japan Cup last start. Sure to give the favourite a real test and would not be surprised to see him cause the upset. Sosie is another world class horse. Placed in the Arc in France two starts back before coming to Hong Kong and winning the Vase on International Day. Sure to be right in the mix again. Royal Champion has been well traveled of late. He won at Bahrain two starts back then followed with a Group 1 win in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia last start. No reason he cannot bring that form to Hong Kong. TIPS 1. Romantic Warrior 2. Masquerade Ball 3. Sosie