🏆 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! 🏆🍀

Other Articles