Whyte prays for rain at Sha Tin

Wary of light-weight threats, Douglas Whyte hopes forecast rain can tilt the scales in Russian Emperor’s favour when the reigning Hong Kong Champion Stayer tackles the Grade 3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Freshened after an overseas campaign highlighted by victory in the QAT G1 H.H. The Amir Trophy (2400m) at Al Rayyan Racecourse in Doha, Russian Emperor will carry top weight of 61.5kg and concedes up to 20lb to some of his 11 rivals on Sunday.

Bidding for his first success in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap after two wins as a jockey – in 2004 aboard Industrial Success and again in 2012 atop Dominant for John Moore – Whyte believes Russian Emperor has the quality to contend if the conditions are suitable.

“He’s got to lump 61.5kg. I’m hoping there’s some rain around, the forecast is for rain and if that happened, he would certainly get his chance,” said Whyte, who has 32 wins for the season. “Russian Emperor’s got Hugh Bowman on and he’s going to give him a peach of a ride and he’s not going to lump around dead weight because Hugh’s a heavy jock.

“Obviously, I’m very wary about Caspar’s lightweight (Straight Arron, who is handicapped on 52.5kg). He’s going around with no weight and, in this particular race, is renowned for the light weights but with a bit of a give in the ground and rain, I think Russian Emperor can be the deciding factor in this race.”

Whyte rode Russian Emperor on Tuesday morning at Sha Tin and was satisfied with the dual Group 1 winner’s enthusiasm as he completed a 1200m workout by closing the final 400m off in 24.8s.

“I put him on the grass on Tuesday for a 1200m gallop, his usual routine. Probably coming back from Qatar and Dubai, he’s had a long campaign hence the light freshen-up but I’m happy with him,” Whyte said. “I’m looking forward to Sunday, but let’s hope there’s some rain about.”

Russian Emperor’s finest Hong Kong victory came on a yielding track with a four and a quarter length triumph in the 2022 G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) when the former Irish stayer led home a Whyte quinella from Savvy Nine with Golden Sixty a distant third.

Bowman, who has 49 victories this season, teams with Russian Emperor for the first time in a race.

“I’m excited to be riding him, I trialled him before he went to the Middle East and won and so looking forward riding him again,” the Australian said. “The distance is ideal but I’m not so sure the handicap plays in his favour – he’s giving some horses some 20 pounds but it’s something we’re going to have to deal with.

“It is what it is. He’s a class horse and he’s at his favourite trip so he’s got a bit in his favour but he’s got a bit against him, too.”

This weekend’s HK$3.9 million test features fellow G1 winner and 2020/21 Hong Kong Champion Stayer Panfield, 2021 Queen Mother Memorial Cup winner Butterfield, last season’s winner Senor Toba, G1 runner-up Columbus County and boom galloper Straight Arron.

Bowman continues his association with Ricky Yiu-trained Mighty Stride in the Class 3 Tulip Handicap (1400m), hopeful of another win on the strapping chestnut.

“He’s got an impressive record, he’s an impressive looking horse and gives you a very good feel,” Bowman said. “He’s got the advantage of barrier No 1, although he seems to be a horse who races better with the benefit of a little bit of room. He’s a nice, progressive horse but I think he meets the strongest field that he has to date, so it will be interesting to see where he fits in.”

Jamie Richards will chase successive victories with Red Elegance when the exciting three-year-old tackles the Class 3 Magnolia Handicap (1000m) with only 53kg under Zac Purton.

“He’s in good order and he won well first-up,” Richards said. “He heads back to the races in good shape, he’s had a nice maintenance trial since that race and I’m happy with him. He’s a nice horse but he’s going to have to be on Sunday – there’s a couple of young, up and coming horses in there.” - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Kaholo Angel was an easy last start winner on debut and must be respected. With the aid of the 4.5kg claim, he seems capable of winning again. Joyful Prosperity had no luck last start but keep following. Clearly the biggest danger. Super Bonus placed last start and has since trialled well. Should be in the money. Holy Lake having second start and can improve with experience. Chancheng Glory fair trial ahead of his debut, watch the betting.

Race 2: Apex Top was an easy last start winner and he has clearly improved after a stable change. He should be able to win a few more in Class 5. Beauty Nova good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, chance to run well again with luck from out wide. Young Horizon never far away from the winner and could sneak a place. Heavenly Thought is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time and he should map soft. Hunky Dory last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. The low draw could see him run a cheeky race.

Race 3: Simple Hedge debut run was good and has trained on well since with a couple of handy trial performances. Moduleconstruction holding form with recent good trial and looks well and is clearly the other leading winning chance. Marvel Dragon looks a solid good chance based on last start when runner-up. Winning Data well prepared for debut and watch the betting, his latest trial was decent. Sight Hero form is good and must be rated a chance. Barrier 4 suits his chances.

Race 4: A competitive race this one with a few leading chances. Nicholson Returns nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks the likely winner as Purton takes the ride. Escape Route looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. A winner at the trip but weighted highly. Above placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. He loves the distance but the trainer is hard to back currently. Packing Hurricane rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up on the quick back up. Serangoon backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again.

Race 5: Happy Day drops down in grade and start following. He can easily win this on true form. Fast Buck looks a solid good chance based on last start when runner-up on the AWT. Drawn barrier 2, he will map ideally. Perfetto every chance last start, and the start before but still ran a good race. Purton sticks with him. Turin Warrior recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. A win seems near. Perfect To Great placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. Decent ride for Avdulla.

Race 6: aby Crystal handy John Size-trained galloper who is more than capable of winning again in this race. Fresh up, trialled well and looks Class 3 bound. Multidarling improving type and getting close to a win. Bowman taking over the reins is an improvement. Watch Buddy best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Barrier 2 suits. Horsesain Bolt will win in this grade very soon but barrier 11 is awkward. Sweet Briar having second start and can improve with experience after a fair fourth on debut.

Race 7: Golden Express winner of last two starts and is a big chance to pick up a hat-trick of wins here. Despite the rise to Class 2, this isn’t an overly competitive field, and he looks to have their measure. Adios looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start. Nervous Witness recent barrier trial was good, suggesting an improved run can be expected. He’ll likely lead and might not face much pressure. Goko Win go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Oriental Smoke placed last start and looks a chance to run well again under Chung’s 3.5kg claim.

Race 8: Golden Bull has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Surely, he gets his chance here in what appears a winnable race for him. Forerunner resuming from a break and trialled well recently. He should be running a good race fresh. Master Hero drops down in grade and start following. If he gets a soft time on pace, he could be hard to get past. Dragon Delight blinkers have been added and can surprise. Well-rated now and can win anytime in this grade. Good News looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Expect a return to form.

Race 9: Straight Arron nice four-year-old with a good chance here to continue his rise in the ratings after blitzing his rivals last time. The rise to 2400m would be the obvious query, but he’s untapped and clearly has more to come. Russian Emperor handy stayer who must be respected in this race. When he’s right, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Sword Point did not disgrace at his last run and must be rated a chance here. Five G Patch nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. Running Glory looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form.

Race 10: Quite a few chances in this straight sprint. Red Elegance nice 3yo who was smart on debut, winning well. He has trialled well since and Purton is getting down to 54kg for the ride. Brilliant Life well supported last start and won accordingly. Looked well in a trial since and may have genuinely improved. Cheval Valiant nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. Flying High winner of last two starts and looks a top chance. Tomodachi Kokoroe overseas form reads strong and should be considered having trialled well enough for his debut.

Race 11: Mighty Stride highly promising horse who shows nice ability and looks the one to beat from barrier No 1, provided Bowman doesn’t strike traffic when it matters. Won his trial comfortably in between runs and has points in hand. Hyper Dragon Ball Purton’s ride who won easily last start as a short-priced favourite and is the testing material. Majestic Colour is back in good form and must be considered a chance. Amazing Victory consistent form lately, overdue for a win. He’ll be thereabouts. Master Tornado solid effort last start and must be rated chance here. Knockout chance at odds as blinkers are applied for the first time in Hong Kong.