Glorious Dragon’s back for Group 3 January Cup

Glorious Dragon will make a long-awaited return to racing in Wednesday’s HK$3.9 million Grade 3 January Cup Handicap over 1800m at Happy Valley in Hong Kong.

Not seen since contesting the 2021 G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m), Glorious Dragon has faced setbacks to his fetlock joints and will appear in competition for the first time in close to 400 days – this time with a new trainer and new jockey.

Pierre Ng – who now trains Glorious Dragon – has 21 wins through his freshman campaign and is looking forward to seeing the grey return under Hugh Bowman.

“He had surgery during summer and we’ve been very happy since then with the way that he’s been going, over the last four months we’ve tried to get him fit and we’ve trialled him three times,” Ng said. “We’re just looking forward to having a good run and getting him ready for the next one, we’ve had to be patient with him.”

Now an eight-year-old and once viewed as a future kingpin of Hong Kong’s staying division, Glorious Dragon’s career-high came with victory in the 2021 G3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin over Exultant and Furore.

“I would like to see him getting prize money in his upcoming races, he’s getting older and he’ll be facing some very good horses in these races,” Ng said.

The Teofilo gelding is no stranger to the bright lights of Happy Valley having placed second in the 2021 January Cup behind Savvy Nine when previously trained by Francis Lui.

Glorious Dragon crossed the line near the tail of the field under Bowman in the latest of his three barrier trials at the end of last month.

“The races are already set (for him), there’s not too many options for him, so we just have to look to target these,” Ng said of his 118-rater. “The Centenary Vase will be an ideal race for him, his second run back and after that, the (G1 Citi Hong Kong) Gold Cup (2000m), back at Group 1 level.”

The January Cup field also features a trio from leading trainer Frankie Lor, who saddles Money Catcher, Celestial Power (115lb) and Looking Great (115lb).
Money Catcher finished third in last month’s Longines Hong Kong Cup behind Romantic Warrior. He also won November’s G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m).
Silvestre de Sousa hops aboard once more and the duo will step away from gate No 1.

“He’s an improving horse. He won the Ladies’ Purse with bottom weight. He’s been consistent and he went out there to finish third in a Group 1 which was good,” De Sousa said.

Money Catcher is a one-time winner in Hong Kong but does boast nine other top-three finishes to his record in town.

“He proved that he’s thereabouts, that he’s a stayer and now we give a bit more weight to the other horses but he’s a player, we have the top weight horse to beat but Money Catcher is in good form as well, so we’re looking for a big night,” De Sousa said. “I couldn’t ask for a better gate.”

Humble Star won first out for Pierre Ng and tomorrow night the Star Witness gelding will look to maintain his perfect start in the Class 3 Causeway Handicap (1200m).

“It was a very impressive first start at Happy Valley, his form in Australia wasn’t too promising but since he arrived in Hong Kong he has improved and he really suits Happy Valley well,” Ng said. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Exuberant good performance when storming home for third place last start and he can get his chance to go two places better here. Prime Mortar best run to date was last start and appears to be improving, good chance to run well again. Cool Blue having second start and can improve with experience under Purton. Miracles looks a solid good chance based on last start and keep safe. All Is Good could sneak a place in a race like this, drawn well to suit.

Race 2: Superb Daddy has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Drawn well in barrier 2 under Bowman and will get the race run to suit. Sunny Baby generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home, he will be hard to hold out late with luck in the run. Owners’ Star can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and will also map well from barrier 4. Loyal Ambition remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here and can give a sight. Regency Master backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again.

Race 3: Racing Fighter resuming from a break and trialled well recently. On his second start in Class 4 and from barrier 2, he looks hard to hold out. Hero Star should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, can take catching. Jazz Steed last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Barrier 1 can see him run a big race. Melbourne Hall always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. High Cloud has dropped a lot in the ratings and can improve in a race such as this.

Race 4: Kung Fu Tea well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. Concerto last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Wide Blue Yonder looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start and looks a good chance with luck from the wide gate. Packing Monkeyking has been steadily improving and do not dismiss. Happy Jai Jai had betting sup- port last start and where there is smoke there is fire. He faded late in a fast run race and can improve.

Race 5: Street Scream thriving six-year-old whose last-start video replay showed last run was very good, after he failed to muster but stormed home late. This race should be run to suit and he appears hard to hold out. Whizz Kid track and distance specialist and appears suited here if he can get and easy enough time up front and under the 61.5kg impost. Power Koepp finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start. Ping Hai Galaxy showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight. Handsome Bo Bo had excuses last start and forget the run.

Race 6: A wide-open race. Happy Soul has been placed last two starts and is ready to win. Happy Fat Cat well supported last start and won accordingly and perhaps he can go on with it, his early speed will hold him in good stead. Lyrical Motion finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start. Circuit Ten down in class here and can surprise from the low gate. Solar Partner has early speed and can always surprise with the right run.

Race 7: Lucky Gold showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight but it was a touch too quick through the second and third sections and he faded late. From the good draw, he will get his chance. Perfect To Great last start winner who remains in the same grade and can go on with it. Sunny Delight video replay showed last run was very good. Palace Pal should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and he trialled well recently. Fearless Fire form is good and must be rated a solid chance

Race 8: Money Catcher well-placed and looks a chance in race like this after a solid third to Romantic Warrior in the G1 Hong Kong Cup last start. He can get the run of the race from the low draw and looks a class above. Glorious Dragon change of trainer recently and could improve. Nearly Fine racing in career-best form and must be rated a good chance. Berlin Tango has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon, he will get back and run on. Cheerful Days eased early before going on to make late ground, have to respect the trainer/jockey combo.

Race 9: Seaweed Fortune should be highly suited by the drop back in distance and he has drawn well low to be in with a winning chance in an open race. Rocket Spade recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Encountered was an easy last start winner and must be respected should he get an easy run from the wide draw. Comet Splendido every chance last start but still ran a good race and is never far away. Maldives generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. He has been running well of late.