Systematically assembling a quality stable, Jamie Richards will unveil Chilean G1 winner Alacrity in the Class 3 Des Voeux Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (12 February) when the talented import crosses swords with a cluster of BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) contenders.
Making his debutc in Hong Kong in an intriguing programme finale headlined by John Size’s Beauty Eternal and Frankie Lor’s Majestic Colour, Alacrity has a rating of 78 after stringing together four successive wins in Chile, culminating with G1 Club Hipico de Santiago Falabella (2000m) success when he was known as Viejos Tiempos.
By Lookin At Lucky – the same sire as 2020/21 Hong Kong Champion Stayer and multiple G1 winner Panfield – Alacrity closed off nicely for fourth under Karis Teetan behind Allgreektome, Kurpany and Nervous Witness in a 1200m Happy Valley trial on 28 January.
Teetan, who partnered Panfield to his most important victory so far in Hong Kong when claiming the 2021 G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) for Tony Millard, believes Alacrity (60.5kg) is a quality galloper but will need further than Sunday’s assignment to show his best.
“It was a nice trial for him at Happy Valley. I think he’s a progressive horse. He’s ready to run but I think he’ll need a bit further,” the Mauritian said. “With the barrier draw (13), we are going to have to give a chance to finish off but he’s a nice horse, a promising horse and when we go further, we will see the best of him.”
Beauty Eternal, who starts from barrier one for Zac Purton, fellow last-start winner Majestic Colour, who will be ridden by Derek Leung from gate 12, and Find My Love, who starts from barrier 14 for Matthew Chadwick, have all been entered for the HK$12 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 19 March.
Richards, who has prepared 14 winners to date in his first term, will also introduce unraced Brazen Beau gelding Laser Victory in the Class 4 Ko Shing Handicap (1200m) under Zac Purton.
A three-year-old, Laser Victory impressed with an untested third in a 1200m trial at Happy Valley on 28 January under Purton, but starts from barrier 12 on Sunday.
Teetan will have his first ride on John Size-trained Bourbonaire in the Class 2 Belcher Bay Handicap (1400m) as the Darci Brahma gelding attempts to regain top form after a consistent 2021/22 season.
“Of course, it’s a bit short for him. He’s last couple of runs haven’t been his best and he needs to find his form again. He’s the drawn the outside (barrier eight) in a small field, so he will get his chance especially if we get a bit of rain,” Teetan said.
The field is headed by Benno Yung’s Ka Ying Master, who will be ridden by Harry Bentley. Bentley has been confirmed as Senor Toba’s rider in the QAT G1 H. H. The Amir Trophy (2400m) at Al Rayyan Racecourse, Qatar on 18 February.
Boasting two 1400m wins on Sha Tin turf this season, Stunning Impact will make his debut on the circuit’s dirt in the Class 3 Cleverly Handicap (1200m) from barrier eight under Vincent Ho.
Ng made the decision to switch the seven-year-old to the all-weather surface based on trial form.
“During this season, he’s been trialling well on the all-weather track and this race is very suitable for him and I’m looking forward to seeing him in this race,” Ng said. “This race fits our schedule and he’s a very honest horse – very easy to train. We just keep him fit and he’s kept his form up.
“There will be always strong pace on the all-weather track, so he should be strong finishing from the back.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Aca Power last run suggested a win was very near. With some luck from his gate, he looks hard to hold out late. Takingufurther caught wide last start and still ran well. Coming into barrier 1 is a significant advantage. Le Plus Vite had genuine excuses last start and consider again. To Infinity down in class in this race and should perform better for Richards and Purton. Strive For Glory has ability and should not be underestimated in this grade, he can bounce back anytime.
Race 2: Star Of Yuen Long looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He is the form choice here. Quorum backing up quickly from last week, can run well from pole position. Flying Mighty can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and expect a good run as he reunites with Purton. Daily Beauty winner of last two starts and is a big chance here with luck in the run. Moonluck looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start but barrier 11 appears awkward this week.
Race 3: Circuit Stellar had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Purton takes the ride and it wouldn’t surprise if he takes control of the race on the lead given the small field. Super Win Dragon last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Perhaps he’s better on the AWT, but his turf form is still decent. California Ten showed good improvement last start and appears to be a chance. Toronado Phantom last start winner who retains good form and can run well again. Bourbonaire fresh up from a break and should run well.
Race 4: Laser Victory newcomer who looks talented and must be rated a good chance in what a appear to be a very winnable race. Drawn wide but a bit of early luck holds him in good stead to score on debut. Imperial Magee caught the eye last start when running home well on his first run in Class 4. Gluck Racer can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and don’t dismiss. Happy Trio last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. Over The Moon overlook recent runs and go on previous good form.
Race 5: Stand Up looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form while coming into a low gate after drawing wide last start should prove the winning factor. California Concord down in class in this race and should perform better. Expect sharp improvement. Adefill was an easy last start winner and must be respected to repeat the dose. Colourful Prince rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. M M Nebula recent barrier trial was an improvement, suggesting a good run can be expected.
Race 6: Forerunner go on the win two starts ago and give a chance to him here. Barrier 4 should provide Bowman all hope to secure a decent trip. Run Run Buddy has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon and, again, he has drawn favourably low. Young Victory go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay as last start was simply a run to forget. Smiling Collector good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and a repeat of that should see him figure. Regency Bo Bo has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone.
Race 7: Czarson has a better chance on this surface and look for improvement. He enters the race having trialled well at Happy Valley, while Teetan has a good association with him. Elon generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home and he looked well in his recent trials. Fiery Diamond a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. Lightning Bolt a last start winner who trialled well since. Flying Dragon caught the eye last start running home powerfully and he should relish returning to this track and distance.
Race 8: Fast Buck recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting another big run can be expected after he broke through stylishly last start. Wide Blue Yonder last start placing was full of merit, nice effort and he can go on with it here. Holy Power nice four-year-old with a good chance here, provided the jockey can obtain a good run from gate 13. Mr Valiant had genuine excuses last start, bounding out of the gates, and consider again. Horsesain Bolt will win in this grade very soon and have to keep safe with Bowman riding.
Race 9: Champion Dragon last run suggested a win was very near as he was no match for the stable mate last start. He jumps from barrier 1, is aided by the 4.5kg claim, and strikes a race where he’s the clear stand out. Quantum Patch looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start and big second-up improvement seems likely. Woodfire Bro consistent form lately and can score here on true form. Copartner Elites eased early before going on to make late ground, blinkers go on and he could improve sharply. Hit The Shot well-placed and looks a chance in race like this.
Race 10: Beauty Eternal highly promising four-year-old who is the one to beat based on current form and meeting a weak field should see him go off a short=priced favourite and be very hard to overturn. Chiu Chow Spirit has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance with Bowman steering. Marado looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form and have to consider again. Majestic Colour last start winner who retains good form and can run well again with some luck from out wide. Solar Winds generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.