The G1 Hong Kong Centenary Sprint Cup takes place at Sha-Tin, on Monday January 30th. Which horses currently dominate our ante-post market?
View Ante-Post Market Now!Lucky Bubbles
Whoever named this horse must have had a sense of humour, as he is certainly due a break. Lucky Bubbles and regular jockey Brett Pebble have suffered very narrow defeats to both Chautauqua and the Paul O’Sullivan-trained Aerovelocity, with both losses coming in G1 races.
However, trainer Francis Lui remains positive and said “He was really good in his trial last week and I’m very happy with how he is going. He has not raced for a while but he’s holding his condition and he seems to be thriving. He is right where I want him to be now. Now, just to get a big race win, he’s been so close before!”.
Amazing Kids
In recent weeks, the talk about John Size’s inmate has focused on the likelihood of him being sent to Dubai for the Al Quoz. Size would be breaking the habit of a lifetime, by sending a horse overseas during the season.
This led to Joao Moreira, who won’t need asking twice if he wants the ride, remarking “If he really wants to take a horse there then that says enough to me.”.
Amazing Kids romped home, in the recent G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy and should be a major factor in this race.
Aerovelocity
Paul O’Sullivan’s charge is now an 8-year-old, but he’s not leafing through the retirement home brochures just yet and won the G1 Hong Kong Sprint, in December.
Zac Purton’s comments, after that race, were heavily-coated with realism though. “It’s a good feeling, because we’re of the opinion we’re starting to lose him. We know he’s a warrior and he gives everything he’s got, and although he didn’t perform at his best today, his heart’s just so big he was able to give us that effort.”.
Clearly, connections understand that they are enjoying an Indian Summer with Aerovelocity who won this event for the 2nd time last season. Will the sun go down on this veteran campaigner, on Monday?
Not Listenin’tome, Peniaphobia and Blizzard are all in with a reasonable shout, although it’s hard to make a genuine case for either Strathmore or Merion.
Race Details
The 1000m Centenary Sprint Cup was first run in 1984 and was launched to celebrate 100 years of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Since 2005, it has been the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, which was originally known as the Champion Sprint Series.
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