Japan's champion sprinter Lord Kanaloa made it two straight wins in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I), kicking clear at the top of the stretch and drawing off to a five-length win over Irish runner Sole Power.
In the first of four group I turf races Dec, 8 at Sha Tin Racecourse, Dominant posted a surprising win for the locals, taking the Longines Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) with a big move at the top of the stretch to hold off The Fugue.
Jeremiah Englehart isn't exactly a newcomer to the track, having started walking hots at Finger Lakes Casino & Racetrack almost before he can remember.
The two American entries drew reasonably well for the Dec. 8 Longines Hong Kong International Races, but not without a little drama for King Kreesa in the Hong Kong Mile (HK-I).
The normal home-field advantage enjoyed by local horses in the Hong Kong International Races may be at risk Dec. 9--because of changes in the home field. Or it could be a smoke screen.
The Dec. 6 barrier draw provided a little added intrigue for the Longines Hong Kong International races, particularly in the $2.8 million Longines Hong Kong Cup (HK-I), where top-rated Cirrus des Aigles drew well.
Winchester, the only United States-based horse taking part in the 2010 Cathay Pacific International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse Dec. 12, drew post post position 3 for the HK$14 million Hong Kong Vase (HK-I).
King Dancer, an Irish-bred son of Danehill Dancer, rallied from far back to upset the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial (HK-II) on the Feb. 16 Chinese New Year card at Sha Time Racecourse.
The new season group races cannot come soon enough for trainer John Moore and jockey Darren Beadman, who believe world-rated stayer Viva Pataca is "better than ever" as he builds up for a revenge tilt at the HK$20 million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club extended a late invitation Nov. 25 to connections of Hawkes Bay to join a star-studded international lineup in the HK$14-million Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (HKgr.I) at Sha Tin Racecourse Dec. 9.
Attendance was up 60% to 63,566 from the corresponding day last year, and handle increased 12.5% to HK$825 million on opening day of the Hong Kong racing season at Sha Tin racecourse.
Jockey Kieren Fallon, who has been charged in connection with alleged race-fixing in Great Britain, has been denied a license to ride during the international race meeting at Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse Dec. 10.
As Thoroughbreds from around the world made their final preparations for the Dec. 11 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races, international eyes also were focused on the World Trade Organization ministerial conference set to begin in downtown Hong Kong two days later.
United States-based Designed For Luck and Great Britain-based Majestic Missile were withdrawn Dec. 9 from the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (HK-I) and the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I), respectively. The races are two of four group I events to be run Dec. 11 at Sha Tin racecourse.
The connections of United States-based runners seemed no less satisfied after the post-position draw for the Dec. 11 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin racecourse. In all, the four group I grass races, worth a total of HK$64 million, lured 49 horses from around the world.
Japan Cup (Jpn-I) winner Alkaased is just one of many international standouts expected for the Dec. 11 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse.
The Hong Kong International Sale realized a record price Dec. 11 at Sha Tin Racecourse when a gelded son of King's Best sold for HK$6 million (US $771,506).
River Dancer, a 58-1 shot from Hong Kong, won the $1.79 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-I) on Sunday by three-quarters of a length in front of 40,000 stunned spectators at Sha Tin Racecourse.
Trainer Randy Morse is gearing up his star turf sprinter Morluc for a third trip to the Far East for the rich Hong Kong Turf Sprint on Dec. 17 at Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse.
Trainer Doug O'Neill would like an invitation to the Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin Racecourse for his Forest Hills Handicap (gr. II) winner, Avanzado.
The Chinese New Year program Thursday at Hong Kong's Sha Tin Racecourse was highlighted by group I victories by a leading candidate for next month's Hong Kong Derby and by a son of Chief's Crown.
Indubitably Bliss, a 4-year-old son of Dixieland Band, is among the 18 horses entered at the first stage deadline for the Hong Kong Derby (HK-I).
Trainer Randy Morse has returned to Sha Tin Racecourse with Morluc to see if the 5-year-old can improve on his head defeat to Falvelon in last year's Hong Kong Sprint. Another American runner in Hong Kong, Nuclear Debate, worked three furlongs Wednesday.
When Morluc finished second to Falvelon in the 2000 edition of the Hong Kong Sprint, he did so while running on tender feet. "That's not going to be the case this year," said trainer Randy Morse. "We've had Morluc on bar shoes ever since he arrived in Hong Kong. The shoes provide him with just the elevation he needs. Morluc's in much better condition for this year's race."
