The 2017 Hong Kong Stewards’ Cup takes place at Sha-Tin, on Monday 30th January. This is a G1 event, with an enormous purse of HK$10,000,000. It’s the opening leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown (the others being the Gold Cup and the Champions & Chater Cup). We already have a live ante-post market, so let’s look at who is currently ruling the roost.
View Ante-Post Market Now!Beauty Only
Zac Purton will take the reins of the G1 Hong Kong Mile winner, who put in a workmanlike performance in a 1200m all-weather track trial earlier this month.
“He did his thing, it cleaned his wind out and I’m happy with that going towards the Stewards’ Cup.” said Purton, afterwards. Beauty Only certainly looks prettier on turf and he is regarded by most as the one to beat.
Able Friend
John Moore’s charge only finished 6th in the Hong Kong Mile, but the son of Sharmadal shone in a barrier trial on Jan 3rd and the 2015 winner could well be peaking at just the right time.
“Joao (Moreira) came back with … a smile from ear to ear,” Moore said. “That’s what we wanted to see. He pulled up great, definitely improving. He’s been off the scene a long time, there’s a lot of muscle tone we’ve got to work on but the trial was good and he’ll still be a force to reckon with in the Stewards’ Cup. But there’s much better to come, too.”
There are still question marks over the participation of 2 other Moore inmates – Helene Paragon and Werther. Either could present a threat to Beauty Only and Able Friend. Other horses that have attracted ante-post bets include Sun Jewellery, Secret Weapon, Contentment and Blazing Speed.
Previous Winners
The Stewards’ Cup has been won by some phenomenal stars of the track and recent winners include Bullish Luck, Good Be Ba (twice), Fellowship, Beauty Flash, Ambitious Dragon and (the 2016 Champion) Richard Gibson’s Giant Treasure.
Racing At Sha-Tin
Sha-Tin is one of 2 Hong Kong racecourses, the other being Happy Valley. Both come under the management of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Sha-Tin is a relatively young venue, having only been built in the late-1970s. Almost 500 races take place here, every year.
As well as playing host to the famous International Races and Triple Crown legs, Sha-Tin is also the place to watch the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (February), the Hong Kong Derby (March), the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (April), the Champions Mile (May) and the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (May).
The original capacity at Sha-Tin was just 35,000, but that has now been expanded to 85,000 (there are now a brace of grandstands). The stables can hold over 1200 horses and there are both turf and all-weather tracks, in current use.
Betting On Hong Kong Races
Our Hong Kong markets are always among our most popular and you’ll be able to bet on every single Hong Kong race, when you open an account with RaceBets.
View Ante-Post Market Now!
