Two of last season’s HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby principals will line-up at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday in a high-class renewal of the HKG3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (Handicap).
Connections of both Derby runner-up Got Fly (124lb) and Derby third Romantic Touch (114lb) will no doubt have an eye on the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races next month, with the former engaged in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and the latter holding entries in the Cup and the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.
But to remain on track for the world’s great end of year Group 1 extravaganza, the duo must first prove themselves in Sunday’s 1800m contest, one of Hong Kong’s most historic races with a tradition that dates back to 1846. The race is the centerpiece of Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day, Hong Kong’s very own Ladies’ day.
Got Fly warmed up for the Ladies’ Purse with a fine second on his seasonal debut. That effort came under top-weight of 132lb in a Class 2 1650m handicap at Happy Valley on 22 October, a race in which the Richard Gibson-trained four-year-old rattled home strongly under regular pilot Douglas Whyte.
“His first run of the season was very promising,” said Gibson. “Top-weight at Happy Valley is always a big ask and he finished the race off well. That puts him in good shape for Sunday’s race. He’s in good nick.”
Got Fly’s Derby second over 2000m last March is his standout career performance to date, but the Early March gelding’s two Hong Kong wins - from seven starts - have both come at the Ladies’ Purse course and distance.
“It’s probably his best trip,” said Gibson. “It’s a competitive field on Sunday but he’s off an attractive weight at the moment. It is one step at a time with this horse - his current rating is very good so we will just take it from there, really.”
Romantic Touch stormed home from deep to finish a length off Luger and a neck behind Got Fly in last season’s Derby. He will take his place in the 11-strong field off a feather-weight that puts him in receipt of 10lb from Got Fly. The Northern Meteor gelding will be making his third start for trainer Tony Cruz following a stable switch at the end of last term.
The five-year-old has been out twice already this term and ran a solid race last time when fourth behind the exciting Packing Pins in a 1400m Class 2 handicap at Sha Tin.
“It was too short last time, so the 1800m should be fine for him,” said Cruz of Romantic Touch, whose sole Hong Kong win came over 1650m at Happy Valley last season. “He stayed 2000m in the Derby but I think he will prove to be best at a mile or 1800m.
“He didn’t get the run of the race last time over 1400m but this time around he’ll be at a distance that will suit him better. He’s off a nice weight, so hopefully he can run a big race.”
Last year’s Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse hero, the Andreas Schutz-trained Packing Llaregyb (131lb), will line-up under Chad Schofield. Meanwhile the John Moore-trained Harbour Master will shoulder top-weight of 133lb under Zac Purton.
Moore will also saddle last season’s Ladies’ Purse third Kabayan (120lb), while John Size will rely on the 2014 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase third Khaya (125lb) and the up-and-coming Ensuring (114lb), the mount of Joao Moreira.
The Peter Ho-trained duo of Flame Hero (126lb) and Fantastic Kaka (113lb) will also attempt to claim the Purse, as will the David Hall-trained Bubble Chic (115lb) and Top Act (113lb) from the Tony Millard stable.
The Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse is Race 8 on Sunday’s competitive 11-race card, with a start time of 4.05pm. The first race, the Maria Galland Handicap (1400m), is due off at 12.30pm.
