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28/07/2024

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28 JULY 2024🐴

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27/07/2024

The Listed Rosebud is the short-term goal for promising Godolphin two-year-old Tarpaulin.

James Cummings will give brilliant Randwick winner Tarpaulin an opportunity to chime into the early carnival races, nominating a Golden Rose lead-up as the c**t's immediate target.

Starting a $1.80 favourite, the youngster demolished his rivals in Saturday's Ranvet Handicap (1100m), cruising to the front at the top of the straight and zipping clear to defeat Sakima ($6) by 2-1/2 lengths with early leader Ride The River ($20) best of the rest, another 6-1/4 lengths away third.

The performance followed Tarpaulin's impressive maiden victory in midweek grade earlier this month and Cummings said the timing was right to test him in better company.

"He is exciting. He cruised up to them with such an effortless stride," Cummings said.

"That is a good progression from putting away a handy maiden field and I liked the win of the runner-up Sakima ten days ago when she was excellent.

"To put the margin on that field today, I think that bodes well for his prospects in a race like the Rosebud. Hopefully he doesn't go up too much in weight for the sake of the win."

The Listed Rosebud (1100m) is on August 17 and is one of the early lead-ups to the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) on September 28.

While Tarpaulin will need to raise the bar again to be competitive at black-type level, winning jockey James Mcdonald has no doubts he has the attributes to make a successful transition.

"He's got a lethal turn of foot," McDonald said.

"He really moves through the ground and he's got a killer will to win, so he is up at the right time.

"He is a bit better than this and he will measure up in whatever he runs in."

Tarpaulin is by Darley stallion Harry Angel, who is also the sire of Godolphin's Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Tom Kitten.

Cummings is a fan of the breed and is adamant the young sire can continue to make his mark through the likes of Tarpaulin.

"One thing I will say about the Harry Angels, for the mares he has had so far he is doing a very good job," Cummings said.

"He is yet another promising c**t that he has got out and about and it's exciting for the team."

26/07/2024

Phillip Stokes holds out high hopes for Comanche Miss and I Am Velvet who are set to race in separate races at Caulfield.

Phillip Stokes is set to kick-start a long campaign for Comanche Miss that he hopes may lead to a Group 1 in late spring.

The MRC Chairman's Club Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday will see Comanche Miss line up for only the second time with the long-term aim being the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield in November.

Comanche Miss made a promising start to her career finishing fourth in the Listed Redoute's Choice Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield in March.

The daughter of Castelvecchio found the journey too short but did not disgrace herself.

"She ran fourth after getting run off her feet early then closed OK late," Stokes said.

"Blinkers go on which I think will be very good for her. Her jump-outs have been a lot sharper since they have gone on and being by Castelvecchio, she will get out in trip later on.

"You aim high at this time of year and something like the Thousand Guineas could be a race for her, so we'll work back from there."

How Stokes will get to the Thousand Guineas, he is unsure.

Once programming for the Group 1 race for three-year-old fillies was relatively easy, but now with the race run a month later, he is unsure what path to take.

"We'll probably give her this and maybe one more then back off her as they changed the dates which I'm not that happy about," Stokes said.

"There used to be a traditional route, now they've thrown it out there in no man's land.

"You either start later to concentrate on it or race all the way through and try and hold them together, which is pretty hard to do."

Stokes also has unbeaten two-year-old I Am Velvet engaged at Caulfield on Saturday in the VOBIS Gold Ingot (1400m).

The I Am Immortal filly has won both her outings at Pakenham and defeated the older horses at benchmark 58 level in her most recent outing on July 15.

Stokes said the filly still has a lot to learn.

"She's coming off an impressive win on the synthetic, but she's still very raw," Stokes said.

"I think she's a really nice horse, but she hangs in and does things wrong, so we'll test the water with her, and I don't think the 1400 metres won't be a problem."

25/07/2024

Consistent galloper Prinzerro will look to notch a second career win when he steps out at Caulfield.

Trainer Phillip Stokes has elected to take the easier route at Caulfield with Prinzerro in a bid to secure a city win before season's end.

Prinzerro was among nominations for the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) on Saturday but will instead contest the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1200m).

That race carries only $50,000 less in prize money but is restricted to three-year-olds.

Under the weight-for-age conditions of the Bletchingly Stakes, Prinzerro would have carried 58kg, instead in the contest against his own age will carry 2kg less.

Prinzerro has been a cause of frustration for Stokes who has maintained throughout the gelding's nine start career, that has netted only one win, that he is a better galloper than his form card reads.

He bumped into the smart Scheelite on debut at Sandown on debut in April last year, was placed behind Title Fighter and Scentify at Moonee Valley before finally breaking through with a stylish maiden win at Sandown.

Stokes thought enough of that win to try Prinzerro in Stakes company, finishing last in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) before dropping back to 1200m in the Gothic Stakes when beating just one runner home.

While both those flops, the only two times Prinzerro has been out of the money, were at Caulfield, Stokes is unperturbed with a return to that course on Saturday.

Stokes said Prinzerro was racing well this campaign and just needed a touch of luck to fall his way.

"I think this a bit softer for him than the weight-for-age race and we'd like to get a city win for him before he turns four," Stokes said.

"He's a horse that has been racing well, but he has won only the one race, so we'll take on this softer option.

"He's been racing well down the straight of late and I don't think Caulfield will be a problem and he worked up well the other morning.

"He's not a bad little horse."

Daniel Stackhouse takes the ride on Saturday and Prinzerro shares equal favouritism with Bossy Nic at $5 in early markets.

24/07/2024

Brad Widdup is looking for a fitting last hurrah from Sneaky Paige at Randwick.

The final Saturday metropolitan meeting of the season is set to double as a racetrack swansong for enigmatic mare Sneaky Paige as trainer Brad Widdup looks to send her out on a positive note.

A Group 3 placegetter earlier in her career, Sneaky Paige joined Widdup's team last year following Mark Newnham's departure to Hong Kong.

While she has managed a city win in 10 starts for her new stable, Widdup says she has also left him scratching his head.

"She has been a very frustrating horse," Widdup said.

"She would work with (last Saturday's Rosehill winner) Jedibeel every day of the week and probably towel him up, but just doesn't do it on the racetrack."

Sneaky Paige will line up in Saturday's Kia Ora Prague Handicap (1100m) looking to turn around two disappointing runs from a spell.

After beating just two rivals home first-up in the G*i Waterhouse Classic at Ipswich, she finished at the tail of the field last time out on a heavy track at Randwick.

Widdup has made a few tweaks to her training regime in the hope of sparking her into a final competitive performance before she heads to the broodmare barn for the upcoming breeding season.

"She has been disappointing, and I think she will definitely go to stud this year," he said.

"But normally when you threaten them, they come out and do something.''

A winner at the track and distance, Sneaky Paige will have just seven rivals at Randwick, including Bjorn Baker's improving mare Shezanalister and consistent Godolphin three-year-old Fleetwood.

The latter returns to Sydney following a Melbourne sojourn highlighted by a closing last-start third behind Right To Party in the Creswick Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

23/07/2024

23/07/2024

Spring was in the air at a star-studded barrier trial session at Rosehill.

Untapped filly Joliestar has emerged as an Everest smoky with trainer Chris Waller revealing he is keen to give her an opportunity to audition for the $20 million feature.

The Thousand Guineas winner was among a host of stars to step out at the Rosehill barrier trials on Tuesday, the session also featuring leading carnival contenders Fangirl, Via Sistina, Riff Rocket, Tropical Squall and Zougotcha.

Joliestar took up the running in her 900m heat and was kept under a good hold by James McDonald to edge out the promising Caballus by a half-length.

She is likely to have another trial before resuming in the early part of the spring and while she is a Group 1 winner over a mile, Waller believes her victory in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint during the autumn shows another string to her bow.

"Of our horses, she could be in the Everest picture," Waller said.

"We gave her such a soft autumn, she had one run, and we chose not to go to Queensland because it would have interrupted the spring, so we've got a horse with plenty of carrots."

Waller tried a similar tactic with another daughter of Zoustar 12 months ago and while that Everest experiment with Zougotcha backfired, he said Joliestar was a different style of horse.

"We made the mistake with Zougotcha last year of trying to make her sprint, but I think Joliestar is probably a little bit sharper," he said.

"We might give her a chance to sprint and decide after that first-up run which way we're heading."

Stablemate Via Sistina was given an easy time in her 1000m heat but stretched out nicely over the final stages to finish fifth to Williamsburg, while Fangirl also found the line well under her own steam when sixth to Tropical Squall.

Waller said the bulk of his big guns who trialled on Tuesday would be ready to return to the races towards the end of next month, while Adrian Bott confirmed Tropical Squall was being readied for a first-up tilt at the Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 24.

21/07/2024

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20/07/2024

Selections, best bets and value plays from Chris Scholtz for the Winter Challenge meeting at Rosehill on July 20 plus Trial Watch and Blackbook Reports.

ROSEHILL July 20

Best Bets

RACE 1 (2) MAWJOOD: Promising son of Tassort was gelded after his first start in February and has shown the benefit winning two trials before resuming with a dominant win over 1100m at Warwick Farm after racing wide. He let down easily in the heavy ground to beat a subsequent winner and can only improve on that performance stepping up to 1200m.

RACE 5 (7) WILD BOTANICA: Honest mare deserving of a win after three strong efforts since resuming in reliable form races over 1000m and 1100m. Respect for the Melbourne form of JEWELLERY but this mare can exploit her 2.5kg weight advantage as she s ready for a peak performance stepping up to 1200m for the first time this prep.

RACE 6 (9) IN FLIGHT: Joe Pride has this filly in rare form and it's no surprise she is backing up in a bid to win her fourth successive race after her resounding success against her own age at Randwick last Saturday under 60kg. This is the first time she has been asked to race twice in a week but she is low flying and it's obvious Pride wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to go after another win when she will carry only 52.5kg against an average open company field over a course and distance where she has won two of her three starts.

Selections

RACE 1: (2) MAWJOOD; (8) Sensational Wind; (1) Getafix; (3) Mayfair

RACE 2: (7) ZARIZATYCOON; (11) Lonhro's Queen; (1) Lisztomania; (6) King Larry

RACE 3: (4) DIAMOND MODEL; (2) Silvanito; (1) Navy Blood; (14) Sumo Star

RACE 4: (9) IMPOSANT; (1) Pure Alpha; (2) Headley Grange; (4) Carrazana

RACE 5: (7) WILD BOTANICA; (4) Jewellery; (9) Miss Jennifer; (8) Llanddwyn

RACE 6: (9) IN FLIGHT; (2) Contemporary; (7) Jedibeel; (1) Sivka Bubka

RACE 7: (2) AGE OF SAIL; (1) Strathtay; (3) Kureder; (4) Perfect Play

RACE 8: (11) WAR ETERNAL; (6) King Of The Castle; (13) Testator Silens; (1) Tamerlane

RACE 9: (9) WITH YOUR BLESSING; (3) Chorlton Lane; (8) Elson Boy; (10) Danaustar

RACE 10: (14) SMASHING EAGLE; (15) Union Army; (7) Willaidow; (17) Iron Man

WAR ETERNAL
WAR ETERNAL Picture: Steve Hart
Why They Can Win….

RACE 2: (7) ZARIZATYCOON - Unbeaten 4YO has delivered strong front running wins on affected tracks in his only two starts. Expect him to pressure speedy rivals.

RACE 3: (4) DIAMOND MODEL - Well placed to end run of minor placings. Rawiller's preferred ride with a 3KG weight drop.

RACE 4: (9) IMPOSANT - Strong second up win over 1400m. Holds ample scope for improvement.

RACE 7: (2) AGE OF SAIL - The 2400m looks the right trip for this import by Frankel. His best UK form is over this distance.

RACE 8: (11) WAR ETERNAL - Went to a new peak with his over the top win last Saturday under 58.5kg. Can do it again dropping to the limit.

RACE 9: (9) WITH YOUR BLESSING - Rates well off his latest Randwick placing. Better for the run and drawn to enjoy a soft passage.

RACE 10: (14) SMASHING EAGLE – Always puts in on his home track. Up to 1200m with pace on will suit.

SMASHING EAGLE
SMASHING EAGLE Picture: Racing Photos.
TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – July 13-16

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Sensational Wind (R1); Getafix (R1); Mergeila (R1); Sivka Bubka (R6); Union Army (R10); Iron Man (R10)

WYONG SATURDAY: He's In Like Flynn (R3); Misty Legend (R5)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Just Like Gaby (R3)

HAWKESBURY SUNDAY: Balmoral (R3); Majorca Sunset (R3); Wings Of Desire (R4); Ausbred Mimosa (R4); Written Scandal (R4)

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: Hot Jive; Fortingall; It's A Knockout; Sakima; Xidaki; Yorkshire; Contemporary; Shezanalister; Brave One; Are Ee Que; Extremely Hardys; Bartolf; Photograph; Nomorenightshift; Metallic Ruler; Kazou; Ride The River; Drift Net; Mawjood; Glassout; Wollombi; Cindersea; Iron Man; Summer Loving; C'Est Magique; Merchant Lady

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL July 12: A strong tick over trial from lightly raced 4YO IRON MAN to keep him up to the mark since his win at Canterbury last month. Settled at the rear before sprinting home strongly for an impressive third in the fastest 900m heat (55.06; 35.09).

HAWKESBURY July 8: HE'S IN LIKE FLYNN is another unraced fast runner from this local stable that will capture the attention of agents. Placed in two earlier trials, this Showtime gelding turned on the jets in his first trial for 17 weeks to run away with his 800m heat by more than five lengths in the fastest time of the session (47.31; 33.13). Unraced MAJORCA SUNSET, a 2YO gelding by The Autumn Sun, showed nice improvement off two earlier trial placings to easily beat three rivals in the fastest of the four heats over 980m 60.13; 34.78). He is ready to go to the races.

WYONG June 19: Promising first local trial from imported stakeswinning mare SIVKA BUBKA. She boasts three wins and four placings from her 10 starts in Europe including a Listed win at Deauville and a G3 placing in Germany and should measure up well in local mares company after working nicely to the line under a soft ride for a strong second in her open heat over 845m (52.18; 35.21).

ROSEHILL June 11: The 2YO heat winner WRITTEN SCANDAL (56.94; 35.74) did enough to deserve attention.

AMIGO
AMIGO Picture: Racing Photos
BLACKBOOK REPORT

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – July 18-20

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Daytona (R1/R6); Manhood (R5); Sharp Dazzler (R7)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Wertheimer (R8); Amigo (R9)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: SIlvanito (R3); Age Of Sail (R7); Kapakiri (R7); More Secrets (R8); Rain Lord (R10)

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected July 13

HELLAVADANCER; KADALL; PIASTRI; ROGUE BEAR; THE ENGLISHMAN; UNANIMOUS

(Follow for next 3 starts)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Batrana; Aramco; Don Diego De Vega; Rezone; Wyclif; Matisse; Tiffany Valentine; Craig; Celebrity Prince; Arqana; Freedom Rally; Mnementh; Piggyback; Yellow Brick; Cigar Flick; I Wish I Win; Mayfair Spirit; Payline; Nicolini Vita; Generosity; Bittersweet; Tannhauser; Unusual Legacy

19/07/2024

A start on the Flemington straight is seen as education for further spring targets for First Settler.

Stakes races down the straight at Flemington in the spring are on the agenda for impressive debut winner First Settler.

As part of the learning curve towards those contests, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained two-year-old will tackle the VRC Member Russell Dawson Plate (1000m) on Saturday.

The Listed Poseidon Stakes, (1100m) in September followed by the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) and the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) are the contests Price and Kent Jnr have in mind for First Settler.

The c**t made a winning debut at Caulfield on June 29 after having a delayed start to his career.

First Settler was down to run at Caulfield last October, but got a leg caught up on the ledge in the barriers and had to be scratched.

Price said the resulting fallout from that was the c**t needed surgery for a minor knee chip, but the trainer was impressed with what he saw from First Settler in his debut win.

"He won well, and he does have a turn of foot," Price said.

"I've kept him fresh for the 1000 metres, even though I think he will be a lovely 1200-metre horse.

"He's a big strong c**t that is in good shape and has trained on and hopefully he wins again and then he can have a little breather.

"It will be good practise for him down the straight, because he can then go to the Poseidon, the Danehill and the Coolmore.

"I'm going to keep him sprinting and I think 1200 metres will be ideal for him, a big strong Written Tycoon c**t.

"He relaxes and has a turn of foot, so I'm pretty happy with him."

Michael Dee, who rode First Settler to victory at Caulfield again has the mount on Saturday, and the c**t is the $2.15 favourite in early betting.

"I think greenness down the straight will be the only thing that will beat him," Price said.

18/07/2024

Selections and best bets from Chris Scholtz for the Grafton Cup meeting on July 18.

GRAFTON July 18

Best Bet

RACE 5: (4) FERINZO

RACE 7: (7) TOURISTIC (EW)

For Value

RACE 1: (4) SUBUKI

RACE 6: (11) KING GUTHO

RACE 1: (4) SUBUKI; (2) Burning Bell; (6) Sebrenco; (5) Lady Wardell

RACE 2: (2) NIGHT FIGHTER; (10) Trezzamina; (3) Cool Man; (15) I Am Convincing

RACE 3: (2) SLIPPIN' JIMMY; (13) Sparkingly; (3) Swift Charm; (18) Theregos

RACE 4: (6) HARRY's BAR; (11) Hot Jive; (3) Hudson's Lenny; (4) Friskee Frog

RACE 5: (4) FERINZO; (11) Torn; (6) Head Case; (1) Aquafire

RACE 6: (11) KING GUTHO; (14) Nipotino; (15) The Wolf; (1) Cavalier Charles

RACE 7: (7) TOURISTIC; (2) Luncies; (3) Deny Knowledge; (9) Brookhaven

RACE 8: (5) COMPELLING TRUTH; (3) Mabel; (2) Immoral; (8) Bomare

TRIAL WATCH REPORT

NOTED TRIAL RUNNERS – July 13-16

GRAFTON THURSDAY: Hot Jive (R4)

KEMBLA GRANGE THURSDAY: Fortingall (R1); Alpine Ski (R1); Selfless Act (R6)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: Sensational Wind (R1); Getafix (R1); Mergeila (R1); Union Army (R3/R10); Iron Man (R3/R10); Sivka Bubka (R6)

WYONG SATURDAY: Misty Legend; He's In Like Flynn; Majorca Sunset; Prince Of Sorts; Dark Halo

TRIAL POINTERS

ROSEHILL July 12: A strong tick over trial from lightly raced 4YO IRON MAN to keep him up to the mark since his win at Canterbury last month. Settled at the rear before sprinting home strongly for an impressive third in the fastest 900m heat (55.06; 35.09).

HAWKESBURY July 8: Unraced MAJORCA SUNSET, a 2YO gelding by The Autumn Sun, showed nice improvement off two earlier trial placings to easily beat three rivals in the fastest of the four heats over 980m 60.13; 34.78). He looks ready to go to the races. HE'S IN LIKE FLYNN is another unraced fast runner from this local stable that will capture the attention of agents. Placed in two earlier trials, this Showtime gelding turned on the jets in his first trial for 17 weeks to run away with his 800m heat by more than five lengths in the fastest time of the session (47.31; 33.13). An impressive first trial from PRINCE OF SORTS, another youngster by the boom sire Tassort. Excellent work over the last 200m of his 800m heat, running good time (47.97; 33.84) to cruise home by almost four lengths.

WARWICK FARM July 1: The Ciaron Maher stable signalled their opinion of DARK HALO, a 3YO gelding by Zoustar, by putting him into a black type race last spring straight off a debut win in a provincial maiden. He's an imposing individual who impressed trucking through his 814m heat in fast time for the session (48.40; 34.40) for the easiest of wins in his second trial since December. The time he has been given to develop is set to pay dividends.

WYONG June 19: Promising first local trial from imported stakeswinning mare SIVKA BUBKA. She boasts three wins and four placings from her 10 starts in Europe including a Listed win at Deauville and a G3 placing in Germany and should measure up well in local mares company after working nicely to the line under a soft ride for a strong second in her open heat over 845m (52.18; 35.21).

RANDWICK June 14: Some nice rising 3YO prospects led by FORTINGALL, an unraced c**t by I Am Invincible who has now won two of his three trials with this effort his best to date. Sat off the pace in his 740m heat before working into it from the 400m and putting in strong work over the last 200m for a stylish win in good time for the session (43.52; 33.21). Sure to be competitive on debut.

RECENT TRIAL WATCH WINNERS: It's A Knockout; Sakima; Xidaki; Yorkshire; Contemporary; Shezanalister; Brave One; Are Ee Que; Extremely Hardys; Bartolf; Photograph; Nomorenightshift; Metallic Ruler; Kazou; Ride The River; Drift Net; Mawjood; Glassout; Wollombi; Cindersea; Iron Man; Summer Loving; C'Est Magique; Merchant Lady; Villa Tino; I Found You



BLACKBOOK REPORT

ELIGIBLE BLACKBOOK RUNNERS – July 18-20

GRAFTON THURSDAY: Touristic (R7)

EAGLE FARM SATURDAY: Daytona (R1/R6); Manhood (R5); Sharp Dazzler (R7)

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY: Wertheimer (R8); Amigo (R9)

ROSEHILL SATURDAY: SIlvanito (R3); Age Of Sail (R7); Kapakiri (R7); Blaze A Trail (R8); More Secrets (R8); Rain Lord (R10)

BLACKBOOKERS – Selected July 13

BROSNAN; HELLAVADANCER; KADALL; PIASTRI; ROGUE BEAR; THE ENGLISHMAN; UNANIMOUS

(Follow for next 3 starts)

RECENT BLACKBOOK WINNERS: Batrana; Aramco; Don Diego De Vega; Rezone; Wyclif; Matisse; Tiffany Valentine; Craig; Celebrity Prince; Arqana; Freedom Rally; Mnementh; Piggyback; Yellow Brick; Cigar Flick; I Wish I Win; Mayfair Spirit; Payline; Nicolini Vita; Generosity; Bittersweet; Tannhauser; Unusual Legacy

17/07/2024

A truly remarkable 2023/24 Hong Kong racing season concluded at Sha Tin on Sunday, 14 July, marking the close of one of the most extraordinary chapters in Hong Kong’s racing history.

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges: “We had the best-ever season finale, we want to position racing as a world-class entertainment and sporting event. We couldn’t have planned a better season finale than today when the on-course atmosphere and response from our 30,000 racing fans, which include a record number of over 6,000 Mainland visitors, was amazing.”

From a pool of only 1,200 horses in training – or about 0.7% of the world’s racehorse population – Hong Kong achieved unprecedented success on the international stage with victories in 13 of the world’s top Group 1 races. For the first time, all 12 of Hong Kong’s top-level races featured in the LONGINES World’s Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races for 2023, with four in the top 20. Also, for the first time, four of Hong Kong’s elite racing stars – Golden Sixty, Lucky Sweynesse, Romantic Warrior and California Spangle – featured in the top 15 in the 2023 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR).

The world-class quality of Hong Kong horses was showcased at Hong Kong’s two international flagship events, the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races and FWD Champions Day. Competing against 32 overseas runners from five countries, Hong Kong’s equine stars swept to victory in six out of seven Group 1 features.

As the flagbearer for Hong Kong, Romantic Warrior competed in three major racing arenas this season – Australia, Hong Kong and Japan – and emerged triumphant in all three.

He became the first Hong Kong horse to win the G1 W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October before returning to Hong Kong to claim the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup and the G1 FWD QEII Cup. He followed this up in Japan, defeating the cream of Japan’s milers with a swift and decisive victory in the G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse in June.

With five successive Group 1 triumphs, Romantic Warrior posted the most Group 1 wins in a single season by a Hong Kong horse.

Meanwhile, another elite horse, California Spangle, posted a record-breaking win in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai.

Looking to the future, Hong Kong celebrated the victories of four up-and-coming horses – Voyage Bubble in the G1 Stewards’ Cup, Victor The Winner in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup, Beauty Eternal in the G1 FWD Champions Mile and Invincible Sage in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize.

This season saw champion jockey Zac Purton seal a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with 130 wins, while Francis Lui was crowned Hong Kong champion trainer for the first time and Angus Chung won the Tony Cruz Award as the leading homegrown jockey.

“Our world-class racing is truly an international brand in Hong Kong. I am deeply satisfied to see the joy and pride our champion horses, jockeys and trainers bring to racing fans not just in Hong Kong but around the world. These achievements are only possible because of the significant investment of our Owners. Collectively, these achievements are a wonderful endorsement of our strategy to develop our racing to become world class. In addition, we have long-term strategies to attract the best racing talent from around the world in combination with developing the best horses and the best home-grown talent. There is no better proof of this than the thrilling contest this season between Francis Lui and Pierre Ng for the trainer’s title. However, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the current challenging economic environment have brought significant challenges to the Club. In particular they have impacted the ability of our Owners to source good horses as well as adversely impaired interest in horse ownership. We have responded with a number of measures. In 2022/23 season, we introduced an enhanced PP bonus scheme to encourage owners to secure more quality horses to race in Hong Kong, boosting a higher level of performance. Under this new scheme, a total of HK$88.5 million has been distributed to 59 newly imported PPs in 2023/24 season, including the 2024 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Massive Sovereign.”

“In the upcoming season, the Club will invest HK$140 million to lower livery fees and extend additional financial support for the export of retired horses. In addition, under the Racecourse Master Plan, we have started to refurbish the stables at Sha Tin. I am confident that these measures will encourage owners to bring in more top-class horses to sustain and grow our horse population,” said Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

Another important highlight is the Club’s strategic investment in the Greater Bay Area and Conghua Racecourse (CRC), with CRC being increasingly important in supporting Hong Kong’s racing as well as the National Equine Industry Development Plan 2020-2025 in the Greater Bay Area.

With its cutting-edge facilities and a strong pool of racing and equine professionals, including a top-class local workforce, CRC produced 243 wins by 186 horses from 18 stables this season, representing an increase of approximately 41% and 35% respectively on last season. Following the completion of new double-storey stables, CRC’s capacity has increased from 660 to more than 1,000 horses, which will further support the development of the next generation of world-class horses.

As regards the Club’s strategy to bring world class racing to the Mainland through staging international standard racing on a regular basis at CRC from 2026, the Club has achieved excellent progress. The construction of an iconic grandstand, which topped-out this season, is well underway. With a capacity of 9,500, it will provide an unparalleled customer experience for Mainland and Hong Kong fans, visitors and guests.

“I am pleased to see the enormous progress made by Conghua Racecourse in just six years since its opening. Not only is it providing world-class training to Hong Kong horses, but it is fast developing into an equine hub for the Greater Bay Area in support of the nation’s equine industry development. Preparations for the successful staging of international standard racing from 2026 is our current focus. In parallel, we are stepping up the recruitment and development of racing talent through partnerships with Mainland authorities. We have also acquired land for an equine transfer station, which will be equipped with international standard quarantine facilities to facilitate the import and export of horses in the future,” said Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges.

In Hong Kong, the two racecourses in Sha Tin and Happy Valley continued to be the stages for world-class racing and vibrant live entertainment. A day at the races is becoming increasingly popular with Mainland tourists eager for a unique Hong Kong experience. This season, more than 93,000 Mainland tourists visited Sha Tin Racecourse with an average of 4,000 on major racedays and a record 6,373 enjoying the season finale. Indeed, the total number of Mainland racecourse visitors was significantly up by 32% on the 2018/19 season before the shutdown of cross-border transportation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our famous Happy Wednesday at Happy Valley Racecourse continued to provide thrilling live music performances, with 11 different themed race-night parties. Coupled with free entry from September to December in support of the HKSAR Government’s “Night Vibes” campaign, this boosted total attendance for the season to more than 500,000, a 37.6% increase on the 2022/23 season. At the thrilling season finale meeting at Happy Valley Racecourse last Wednesday (10 July), there was an exciting jockey parade with all our jockeys thanking our racing fans for their support during the season.

“With Hong Kong ramping up its capabilities to attract more tourists from around the world, I am glad to see that our world-class racing and racecourse entertainment has become a major tourist attraction for both Mainland and overseas visitors. The Club is striving to be a customer-centric organization and we will continue to invest in our racecourses and betting outlets, providing new and upgraded dining and entertainment venues as well as a new digital racecourse experience for the younger generation.”

In total racing fans enjoyed 88 race meetings this season, including seven twilight fixtures, comprising 831 Hong Kong races and 368 overseas simulcast races.

Total racing wagering turnover for the season was HK$134.7 billion, representing a 4.5% decrease on the 2022/23 season. Here, although the Hong Kong market has been impacted significantly by the economic downturn, the Club’s strategy to expand its customer base globally has partially offset the loss, with Hong Kong races attracting record commingling turnover of HK28.8 billion, a 13.7% increase on the 2022/23 season.

This strong trend reflects the high profile of Hong Kong racing internationally, with 26 countries and more than 70 partners now commingling on Hong Kong racing, including Malaysia for the first time.

Bringing overseas races via simulcasting to showcase the best races around the world to Hong Kong has always been part of our racing wagering offering. Overall turnover on simulcasting (including World Pool commingling) for the season was up by 8.7% to HK$12.8 billion.

Through the World Pool the Club is now transforming Hong Kong into the global hub for commingled wagering on the very best of world racing. This year the number of World Pool races increased from 175 to 258, with 83 races added, and the highlight being the expansion of the World Pool to Australia. World Pool turnover was up by 57.1% on last season.

Mr Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “Under such a challenging economic situation, our overall season racing turnover is satisfactory. While the Club will continue to grow and expand its overseas customer base, the decline in local racing wagering turnover underlines that it must constantly engage and re-engage with Hong Kong racing fans.”