Magical Rides to Rescue in Hong Kong Cup

At the end of a historically tough year for Hong Kong racing, Magical arrives to end things on the upbeat in the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1) Dec. 13 at Sha Tin Racecourse.

The Cup is one of four group 1 events comprising the Longines Hong Kong International Races, the high point of a season battered time and again by circumstance.

The 2019-20 campaign was beset by sometimes violent street protests that shut down off-track wagering facilities, forced cancellations of two programs at Happy Valley Racecourse, and restricted attendance at the 2019 HKIR by some two-thirds. Just as those problems began to fade, along came the COVID-19 pandemic, replete with lockdowns, quarantines, and more closures.

Pandemic-related issues continued as the current season opened. Fans will not be admitted to the HKIR races, and only at virtually the last moment did the Hong Kong government agree to special protocols that enabled an international contingent of runners. To the relief of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, a talented lot from Japan and Ireland rode through that quarantine bubble to save the day.

"To attract horses of this caliber to Hong Kong in any year is notable," said HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges in the run-up to the event. "But to have them coming here at the end of a year when international racing has been rocked by a pandemic with all the attendant travel and quarantine issues is remarkable."

Magical, likely making her last start, unquestionably is the star of the program. The 5-year-old daughter of Galileo arrives on the back of a runner-up finish in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Keeneland Nov. 7. She has seven top-level victories and missed a top-three finish only once in her past 17 races for trainer Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore "lads"—the 2019 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).

"She's been great for a long time, and it's fantastic that she's here," said jockey Ryan Moore, who arrived early to contest the Longines International Jockey Challenge. "The reality is they probably have her to beat. But, again, you always respect the horses that are in there."

While she is no stranger to shipping and obviously remains in form, Magical will have to cope with seven rivals in the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) Cup—with challenges from both the locals and the Japanese squad.

Furore went through a 12-race win drought after taking down the 2019 BMW Hong Kong Derby. But he figures in the Cup after a recent resurgence and jockey switch to Joao Moreira that saw him win two in a row.

Danon Premium, Win Bright, and Normcore make up Japan's Cup crew.

Danon Premium, a 5-year-old son of Deep Impact, is touted by some local handicappers as one of the day's best despite not having won a race in some 18 months. He was last seen finishing fourth behind Almond Eye in the Tenno Sho (Autumn, G1) Nov. 1 in Tokyo.

Win Bright won the 2019 Hong Kong Cup by a short head over Magic Wand but hasn't fired in two starts since then. The 6-year-old by Stay Gold returned from a long layoff to finish 10th in the Tenno Sho (Autumn). Normcore was fourth in last year's Hong Kong Mile (G1) and stretches out to the distance of his most recent win, the Sapporo Kinen (G2) Aug. 23.

Skalleti adds more international intrigue after a successful campaign in France that was followed by a runner-up showing in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot Oct. 17.

The Cup is worth HK$25 million, or about US$3.23 million.

Hong Kong Sprint Offers Unique Perspective on Home Team Concept

Classique Legend is co-rated with fellow Aussie Bivouac at the top of the sprinter category in the Longines World's Best Racecourse Rankings off his victory in the rich The Everest in October. He was exported to Hong Kong after that effort and makes his first start in the Hong Kong Sprint for new trainer Caspar Fownes, who says he's doing his best with the hand he's been dealt.

Quarantine requirements precluded a prep race in Hong Kong, so Classique Legend enters the Sprint off trials. The gray gelding was then assigned gate 1 at the Dec. 9 barrier draw in abbreviated ceremonies at the socially distanced Sha Tin parade ring.

"I was really hoping for gate 5, to tell you the truth, all the way before the draw started," Fownes said. "He's a horse that needs a bit of room. Anyway, it is what it is. Most people won't complain about draw 1. He'll be ridden to get his chance and we'll see it happens."

If Classique Legend lives up to his classic legend, he should have the edge on the rest of the local competitors. Chief among them is Hot King Prawn, always competitive at the top level and second in the local prep for the Sprint.

"He's very consistent," Moreira said of Hot King Prawn. "That's the kind of horse that you dream to have. Unfortunately, he hasn't won a group 1 as of yet, but it might be this term."

Japan's Tower of London and Danon Smash comprise the international competition in the field of 14 for the Sprint.

Tower of London, a 5-year-old son of Raven's Pass, captured the 2019 Sprinters Stakes (G1) at Nakayama and has been used sparingly since without much success. Danon Smash is a 5-year-old by Lord Kanaloa, a two-time winner of the Hong Kong Sprint. Danon Smash exits a second in this year's Sprinters Stakes and will look to improve on an eighth-place finish in last year's visit to Sha Tin.