The holidays are officially over, and the 2024-25 Hong Kong racing season is upon us.
There are 88 meetings, 830-odd races and endless possibilities with fortunes to be won and lost.
So let’s go fishing and get in the mood for the new term with some (educated) guesses about what might happen.
Galaxy Patch to bag at least two Group Ones
Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s exciting prospect looks set to reach superstar status this term. Majors like the Hong Kong Mile and Stewards’ Cup appear to be at his mercy, while the Gold Cup and QE II Cup or Champions Mile could also be on his radar. It wouldn’t be a shock if he travelled for a major like the Yasuda Kinen, too. Jay Rooney.
Peach can claim Stunning Derby win
It’s never an easy task finding the Hong Kong Derby winner before the season starts, but Tony Cruz’s Stunning Peach looks tailor-made for the most prestigious race in the calendar after a promising introduction to the city. The son of Wootton Bassett was a classy two-year-old for Joseph O’Brien and finished his first campaign at Sha Tin with a powerful Class Three win carrying top weight in June. While there are some exciting imports to contend with, he gets the early nod for the main event in March. Jack Dawling.
Don’t forget Voyage Bubble
Much of the preseason talk has been around what Galaxy Patch can do to the mile ranks in the absence of Golden Sixty, but don’t forget Voyage Bubble. Apart from a couple of overseas raids that didn’t go to plan, Ricky Yiu Poon-fai’s stable star had an impressive 2023-24 season and he can add more Group One spoils to his CV this campaign. Sam Agars.
Teetan can crack his ton
Only three jockeys have landed a century of winners in a Hong Kong season – Douglas Whyte, Zac Purton and Joao Moreira – and it only seems fair Karis Teetan becomes the fourth. An ultra-consistent performer during an era when Moreira and Purton have received many of the plaudits, Teetan went within touching distance of cracking the ton when banging in 93 winners in 2019-20. He did that in a season where Purton (147 winners) and Moreira (138) filled their boots, so it’s not like he needs others to drop away to achieve the mark. After landing 86 victories in 2023-24, the Mauritian Magician can reach the elusive triple figures this term. Sam Agars.
Size will bounce back to claim 13th title
John Size had a down year by his own lofty standards with 50 wins last season, but he looks poised to surge back to the top of the championship. The Winnabe, Wunderbar, Young Champion, Helios Express and a host of new imports will no doubt help his cause. Jay Rooney.
Yiu poised for big season
Yiu collected a solid 60 winners last season, just seven short of his career best, and he has the fresh blood to better that this term. There is nothing more dangerous than a PPG under the tutelage of the shrewd 67-year-old and he has no less than nine fresh 52-rated gallopers ready to wreak havoc as they fly up the ratings. Add top-class horses like Voyage Bubble and Straight Arron to the mix and Yiu looks set for a bold title bid. Jack Dawling.
