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Hong Kong Mile

OLYMPIC EXPRESS REGISTERS HUGE UPSET IN HONG KONG MILE


In a spectacular surprise, Olympic Express, a Hong Kong-based runner sent away at odds of 48/1, stormed to victory Sunday in the 11th running of the HK$14-million Hong Kong Mile (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Ridden by Weichong Marwing, Olympic Express took the lead 200 metres from home in the field of 13, and withstood the late run of another Hong Kong runner, Electronic Unicorn, who finished second under Robbie Fradd.

Olympic Express's final time for the 1600-metre distance was 1:34.9, and his margin of victory was a neck. Electronic Unicorn was a head better than Japan's Tokai Point, who finished third.

Following in order in the field of 12 were Admire Cozzene, Super Molly, Cayoke, Dupont, Noverre (who was the heavily-backed favourite), Scenic Peak, Tillerman, Grand Delight and Gateman.

For the second time this day, Hong Kong horses were one-two in a Hong Kong International Race - - setting a precedent for local success that many felt was impossible to achieve.

A son of Bishop of Cashel out of the Matsadoon mare, Rachael Tennessee, Olympic Express returned the highest win mutuel in the history of the Hong Kong Mile.

It was the first second International Race win for Marwing, a 32-year-old native of South Africa, who was one of the all-time greats in his homeland prior to journeying to Hong Kong - - where he has now ridden for five years.

Owned by Larry C.K. Yung, Olympic Express is trained by Ivan Allan, who is in his 11th season conditioning Hong Kong runners. "I gave (Olympic Express) a real chance," Allan said. "Even though he had only the one run, he'd had the right work, and he was pleasing me coming into the race."

"Olympic Express came into the race a fresh horse, and he gets the mile well," said Marwing. "He traveled so well for me. I knew I had a great chance entering the straight as I saw I was going better than Super Molly, a horse that was quite fancied. It's incredible, a great feeling."

About the Hong Kong Mile

HK$14 million (approx. US$1,800,000)
1600m /8f /turf /3yo+

The Mile is the richest international mile race in the world worth HK$14 million (US$1.8 million, GB¢G1.2 million, Aus$3.5 million). The Hong Kong International Bowl was renamed the Hong Kong Mile and run over 1600m from the old distance of 1400m for the first time in 1999. Docksider won that race, then still a Group 2 . The old Bowl was first run in 1991 to mark the staging of the 22nd Asian Racing Conference in Hong Kong.

Last year, EISHIN PRESTON, the lesser fancied of the two Japanese runners in the Hong Kong Mile, waltzed away with the HK$14million Hong Kong Mile.

 

World's Richest Mile Race

Prize Money - HK$14 million plus trophies for the winning owner, trainer and jockey is divided as below: Weights
Place Prize (HK$) Prize (US$)
1st 8,000,000 (approx. 1,000,000)
2nd 3,000,000 (approx. 400,000)
3rd 1,500,000 (approx. 200,000)
4th 800,000 (approx. 100,000)
5th 450,000 (approx. 60,000)
6th 250,000 (approx. 30,000)
 
Northern Hemisphere
Horse Description
Southern Hemisphere
kgs lbs lbs kgs
57 126
4yo+ c., h. & g.
 126 57
55.25 122
4yo+ f. & m.
 122 55.25
56.5 125
3yo c.& g.
 113 51.25
55 121
3yo f.
109 49.5
(c - colt; f - filly; g - gelding; h - horse; m - mare)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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