🏆 The Longines Hong Kong Cup (Race 8)
🏆 The Longines Hong Kong Cup (Race 8)
Track: Sha Tin Racecourse
Date: Saturday, December 7, 2024
Distance: 1 1/4 Miles (2000m) – Turf
Purse: $5.1 Million USD
Start Time:
• Eastern Time (ET): 3:40 AM
• Central Time (CT): 2:40 AM
• Pacific Time (PT): 12:40 AM
Horse-by-Horse Breakdown
Romantic Warrior (IRE) – #1 – 7/2
• Jockey: James McDonald
• Recent Form: Won multiple G1 races. Last ran in the Jockey Club Cup, dominating by 1.5 lengths.
• Strengths: Elite speed figures, proven over the distance, and top-class rider/trainer combination.
• Verdict: The favorite and one to beat. A strong win candidate.
Spirit Dancer (GB) – #2 – 21/1
• Jockey: Oisin Orr
• Recent Form: Solid G2 performances but struggling at G1 level. Last seen finishing second in a G2.
• Strengths: Consistency in lower grades.
• Verdict: An outsider for this caliber of race.
Straight Arron (AUS) – #3 – 69/1
• Jockey: Brenton Avdulla
• Recent Form: Placed in G2 company but struggled to compete in G1s.
• Verdict: Not expected to factor in the finish.
Tastiera (JPN) – #4 – 11/1
• Jockey: Damian Lane
• Recent Form: Runner-up in multiple Japanese G1s. Last seen in the Tenno Sho, finishing second by a neck.
• Strengths: Exceptional endurance and experience in competitive fields.
• Verdict: A legitimate challenger to the favorite.
Calif (GER) – #5 – 26/1
• Jockey: Adrien Vries
• Recent Form: Consistent finishes in G2 races, but lacks wins at the top level.
• Verdict: Unlikely to challenge.
Nimble Nimbus (NZ) – #6 – 79/1
• Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
• Recent Form: Struggling to finish well in graded company.
• Verdict: No chance.
The Foxes (IRE) – #7 – 35/1
• Jockey: Oisin Murphy
• Recent Form: Decent G3 performances but out of depth in G1 races.
• Verdict: A longshot.
Encountered (IRE) – #8 – 79/1
• Jockey: Hugh Bowman
• Recent Form: Outperformed in recent runs and unlikely to improve.
• Verdict: Not a contender.
Liberty Island (JPN) – #9 – 5/1
• Jockey: Yuga Kawada
• Recent Form: A star 4-year-old filly from Japan, winner of major G1 races.
• Strengths: Exceptional class and tactical versatility.
• Verdict: A top contender and a must-use in exotics.
Content (IRE) – #10 – 17/1
• Jockey: Ryan Moore
• Recent Form: Midfield finishes in European G1 races.
• Verdict: A fringe player with minimal upside.
Wingspan (IRE) – #11 – 13/1
• Jockey: Wayne Lordan
• Recent Form: Consistent but unremarkable finishes in G1 company.
• Verdict: An outside chance for minor placings.
Top Contenders 🏇
Romantic Warrior (#1) – 7/2
Proven track record at Sha Tin and dominant recent form. The one to beat.
Liberty Island (#9) – 5/1
A Japanese star with an elite class and strong international performances.
Tastiera (#4) – 11/1
Solid Japanese G1 credentials and competitive recent runs.
Suggested Bets 💡
• Win/Place: Romantic Warrior (#1), Liberty Island (#9)
• Exacta Box: #1, #4, #9
• Trifecta: #1, #4, #9
This race is shaping up as a thrilling showdown between local star Romantic Warrior and the formidable Japanese challengers Liberty Island and Tastiera. Best of luck with your bets! 🏆🍀