Exultant took out yet another G1 (his 5th) when outstaying rivals in the Standard & Chater Cup over 2400m at Sha Tin on Sunday. He was fully extended to stave off Silvano’s son, Chefano and dogged stablemate, Furore as they all slogged through tiring stretch runs.The closing sectional reflected as a percentage ratio of overall time, (98,5%) provides a sure measurement that they were grinding it out late.

Earlier, top sprinters Thanks Forever and Hot King Prawn fought out a rare, false run sprint with the winner rattling through a 21.84 closing sectional off gentle early fractions. This race was exactly the opposite pace- wise to the stamina-sapping G1 over ground – the 1200m’s went slow early/ very fast late as confirmed by a finishing ratio of 105%.

Handicapping in Hong Kong is a pleasure for a time- orientated analyst given the readily available data generated so transparently by the HKJC on their official website for free. Visit hkjc.com for relevant statistical info covering all angles of the past performances, including trial workout reports together with multi angle video replays immediately after the finish.

For some, studying the form this way can become a laboured, technical task. Others won’t even bother, simplifying matters by merely focussing on world-class jocks Purton and Moirera who again came to the fore riding 8 winners between them on the eleven- race program!

Races in Hong Kong are split into five clearly defined Class levels, making for intense competition within each grade as the official handicappers shift weight burdens to ensure hot contests. High levels of official scrutiny maintain racing’s clean image there, and the Club abides by the “customer is king philosophy to promote confidence in their product and sustain exceptionally robust betting turnovers.

The HKJC is one of the biggest taxpayers and charitable donors in the City. They have a good relationship with the government, hence their collaboration to keep on racing under appropriate protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Other notable performances on the rain-soaked turf at Sha Tin were delivered by Band of Brothers (speed figure 102) Amazing Chocolate (s/s 102) and Good Luck Friend (s/s 100) as winners of their respective events. Defining Moment (s/s 98) won yet another typically clustered finish, (six horses within half a length!) testimony to just how tightly matched the competition is in Hong Kong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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