A STELLAR card at Sha Tin on Sunday sees the Hong Kong debut of brilliant Japanese filly Daring Tact – and racegoers in Europe could get to see her in action at some stage in the future.
Winner of the Fillies’ Triple Crown in her homeland in 2020, the Haruki Sugiyama-trained four-year-old is all set for the QEII Cup, where she will be part of a four-pronged Japanese attack on the Group 1 prize.
Joining her in the 10-furlong feature is Dubai Sheema Classic third Loves Only You, Glory Vase and Kiseki.
Daring Tact – who runs in the colours of Makio Okada’s Normandy Thoroughbred Racing Co Ltd – was third in the Japan Cup to Almond Eye and Contrail in November, and returned with a narrow defeat in March.
Progression is expected from that outing and Okada said: “After the Kinko Sho, her condition has been improving significantly.”
On the subject of travelling outside of Japan, Okada said: “Her trainer is very keen for an international campaign, as he is convinced Daring Tact should be competitive at everywhere in the world. As we talked about the plan for the first half of 2021, we have found the QEII Cup is a suitable race.
“After the QEII Cup, I believe the next start is the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen at Hanshin in June. And if Daring Tact runs well both in the QEII Cup and Takarazuka Kinen, I think we have to think about the campaign in Europe and, in my opinion, we should consider major races in United States as well.”
Daring Tact is the even-money favourite for the QEII Cup, and the other two Group 1 races on the card also have short-priced favourites. Local star Golden Sixty heads the market for the Champions Mile at 2/5, and Japan’s Danon Smash is 11/10 favourite for the six-furlong Chairman’s Sprint.
All races are due to be shown live on both Sky Sports Racing.
7.50 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Group 1) 6f
Stronger has found some serious form his past two runs and, with a clean run, he looks capable of testing this bunch. He finished fast from an unlikely position back in the field last time out. Danon Smash arrives in search of his third consecutive Group 1. He’s in tip-top form and, from the good gate with Joao Moreira up, he’s going to be hot favourite to win the race. Wellington is worth forgiving for his last-start fifth placing in the Group 2 Sprint Cup. Beauty Applause draws well for champion jockey Zac Purton. He should get a few favours settling close to the speed.
8.55 Champions Mile (Group 1) 1m
Golden Sixty has won 16 from 17 starts. He faces a small field and, with the class he has, can get over the top of this bunch and snare a fourth consecutive Group 1. Healthy Happy can roll forward and make a race of this in the small field. He’ll play catch me if you can. Southern Legend pushed Golden Sixty two starts ago and his class will take him a long way in this contest, especially as the winner of this race last year. Mighty Giant caused a boilover in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy last time out.
9.35 QEII Cup (Group 1) 1m 2f
Loves Only You finished a classy third to Mishriff in Dubai. She’s well-travelled, and reports are that she has settled into Hong Kong very well. Time Warp can roll forward and make a race of this. With a soft lead, he could prove difficult to reel in. Daring Tact is a super filly. Still, it is difficult for a young horse to travel at her age and she might be worth opposing. Glory Vase does his best racing at Sha Tin and can figure.