Jamie Richards will attempt to secure a BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) berth with Alacrity in the Class 3 Suffolk Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Sunday to add further impetus to an impressive mid-season surge.
In the throes of his first campaign in Hong Kong, the multiple former New Zealand champion trainer has systematically amassed 18 wins from 178 starters after a deliberately conservative start to the season.
With 53 Group 1 victories during a record-breaking six-and-a-half year stint at Te Akau Racing, Richards is familiar with elite success and is hopeful Alacrity – a Chilean G1 winner as Viejos Tiempos – can build on an eye-catching fourth behind leading BMW Hong Kong Derby contender Beauty Eternal over 1400m at Sha Tin on 12 February.
“He’s a high-class horse who came into Hong Kong with good form, so it wasn’t a complete surprise that he ran well first-up,” Richards said. “He’s got an awkward barrier (13) this weekend, so I’d say we’d have to ride him a similar way to how we rode him first time, but he’s going need luck and he’s going to need pace in the race to finish it off – but looking forward to seeing how he goes.”
Richards is acutely aware the 78-rater needs to press for victory on Sunday to enhance Derby hopes.
“He needs to probably to win on the weekend – if not, run top three – to get his rating up a little bit higher. We’re certainly trying to get him there (to the Derby) and from a more favourable draw, I would have probably been quite confident that he was going well enough to figure in the finish, but he’s going to need a lot of luck from the outside barrier,” he said before explaining the decision to remove cheek pieces.
“He just wanted to overdo it a little bit in the early part of the race last time, so we took the cheek pieces off for this weekend’s run – only a minor gear adjustment – but just trying to make him relax a bit more in the early part of the race.”
Karis Teetan, who partnered Romantic Warrior to victory in the 2022 BMW Hong Kong Derby, is adamant Alacrity is worthy of Classic consideration.
“I think he’s definitely a Derby horse – the further he goes, the better he will get – so it’s a race that’s very important for the horse and if he runs well, he could be going for the Derby,” the Mauritian said.
“We were all happy with his first run, he finished off well and that shows improvement is coming. He’s a horse that needs ground, we don’t have many options from that draw.”
Hugh Bowman continues his partnership with Running Glory when John Size’s diminutive stayer bids for consecutive wins when he contests the Class 2 Rutland Handicap (1800m), confident the five-year-old can continue to flourish.
“Pleased to be reuniting with him and he does carry top weight this time and he’s not a big horse, but what he lacks in size he certainly makes up for with courage. He’s a very consistent horse – he’s got an outstanding record – and despite being at the top of the handicap, he looks well placed again,” Bowman said.
“He’s just got a great attitude. He’s quite versatile from a tactical point of view and he gets into a good rhythm and he saves himself for the final effort, which is most important. You’d like to think I’m going to get the run of the race and if it’s an evenly run race, he’s going to get into that beautiful rhythm.
“If he’s close enough to fight out the finish, he’ll get his nose in front.”
Fresh from a Happy Valley double on Wednesday night (1 March), David Hayes will pitch stablemates Nervous Witness and Lucky With You into battle in the Class 1 Devon Handicap (1200m).
Facing Courier Wonder, Duke Wai, Master Eight, Rewarding Together, Blaze Warrior and Campione, Nervous Witness and Lucky With You are both searching for improvement in form.
Hayes will use a hood on Nervous Witness as the speedster attempts to master the 1200m trip against quality opposition.
“His weakness is that he gets too aggressive and in the upper-class races, if you’re pulling you don’t win. We just hope the hood takes 10 percent off him and relaxes well,” the dual champion Hong Kong trainer said.
“Now that he’s well into his preparation after three runs and a trial, there’s no reason why he won’t run 1200 metres but how easy he’s going to get it through the first 600 metres from barrier eight, is the question.”
Hayes has freshened Lucky With You since a last-start failure.
“He’s had an impressive trial and he’ll come from off the pace and if they go too fast, he might be a chance. He’s probably got to run a PB (personal best) to beat these horses, but trackwork suggests he might be ready to do that. “If it’s last-man standing, he might be the one to join in,” Hayes said. - HKJC
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: A typical, wide-open Class 5 to kick things off. El Valiente placed last start and looks a top chance to get the win from barrier 4 under Bowman. Colourful Baron had betting support last start and where there is smoke there is fire, he should relish a lower draw. Chiron go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay, barrier 1 can spark improvement. Fortune Marbo good performance when returning to form last start and drawn well low affords him every chance. Run Run Good last start winner who remains in the same grade.
Race 2: Galvanic holding form with recent good trial and looks well after a promising second-place second-up last start. He will need luck from barrier 12, but is improving all the time. Speedy Chariot has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance, but barrier 11 will be the query first-up. There’s plenty of talent there however. Golden Luck newcomer who trialled okay and can run well from his low draw. Star Ascension well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. Excellent Fighter has shown ability and gets his chance to win here.
Race 3: A small field to contest the Class 1 ensures a tactical affair. Rewarding Together nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance to be too strong late. Blaze Warrior placed last start over 1400m and looks a strong chance to run well again. Lucky With You goes well first-up from a break and should be respected on 118lbs and from barrier 4. Courier Wonder finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and seems to be on the improve. Duke Wai never far away from the winner and could sneak a place.
Race 4: Inspiring City drops down in grade and start following. Zacian finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and he comes into a low gate for the first time in three runs. Will get his chance. Happy Forever down in class here and can surprise with luck from gate 11. Alloy Star looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start.
Race 5: California Concord will win in this grade very soon and stepping away from barrier 1 will ensure he has all the favours. Yellowfin looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form, hard to see him missing a place here. Gluck Racer finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start. Shining Fortune a bit erratic and hard to follow but has ability and can surprise if he shows up with good manners. Sure Joyful drawn well low and will get a good run to suit.
Race 6: Perfetto more than capable of winning again in this race after cruising to an effortless last-start victory. He has trialled well since and looks hard to hold out again. The one they all have to beat. Dragon Delight will win in this grade very soon and keep safe here. Darci Joy go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay, barrier 1 suits his chances. Indigenous Realm turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and he should be doing the same here from a wide gate. Perfect To Great fresh up from a break and should run well.
Race 7: Berlin Tango appears to be very well suited by the track and distance of this race and looks to get the race run to suit with plenty of speed engaged. Chancheng Prince will be suited by the switch back to all-weather track and expect improvement. Apache Pass track and distance specialist and appears suited here. He, too, will get the race run to suit his pattern. Handsome Twelve consistent per- former of late and worth considering on the light-weight. Super Win Dragon all-weather track specialist who can improve on this surface.
Race 8: Champion Dragon consistent form lately, well over due for a win, and gets his chances to score here with a senior rider taking over from the 10lb claiming apprentice. Running Glory last start winner who retains good form and can run well again, hard to knock his chances. The Irishman well supported last start and won accordingly. The 1800m is the query, but his form is strong. Viva Chaleur ran the second fastest sectional time last start and is improving all the time. Turin Redsun can improve second-up from a break and expect a strong showing.
Race 9: Adefill winner of last two starts and is a big chance here despite the class rise. Clearly relishing the all-weather now that he’s unbeaten from two starts on it, and he looks to have more to offer. Lightning Bolt had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Adios video replay showed last run was very good and he could be one to enjoy this surface. Flying Dragon blinkers made the difference last run and can go on with it. Street Scream racing well with excellent sectional time rankings and he should be closing off strongly.
Race 10: Hava Nageela has had no luck in his last two runs but there has still been plenty to take from there, he gets his chance to score here. Alacrity finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start for a nice debut run into fourth. He can only improve second-up. Beauty Inspire had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race from a low draw. Ching had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race, consider again. Massive Action should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way.