Classic Cup top 10: My Wish and Packing Angel lead early rankings
by Jay Rooney on Monday, February 10, 2025 11:47 AM My Wish (right) wins the Classic Mile under Luke Ferraris. Photos: Kenneth Chan
After My Wish claimed the Classic Mile with a tough victory, attention now turns to the second leg of the four-year-old series, the Classic Cup on March 2.
The step up to 1,800m will suit some but others will be challenged by the trip in what is traditionally the key lead-up race to the city's most coveted feature, the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) on March 23.
The Post has ranked the top 10 contenders for the Classic Cup. 1. My Wish
Mark Newnham's pint-sized gelding slipped slightly under the radar heading into the Classic Mile but stamped his claims as a force to be reckoned with. — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 3, 2025
Newnham made a great point post-race – when My Wish has hit the front in his races this season, he has not been headed.
He might be a son of a sprinting sire in Flying Artie, but there is some staying blood on his dam side and his ability to race on the speed and keep finding in the straight will again give him a big advantage over several key rivals. 2. Packing Angel
While he will face a rise in class and distance, Packing Angel will no doubt be an exciting addition to the four-year-old series after three straight wins.
Francis Lui Kin-wai's promising galloper was a dominant Class Three winner over 1,400m on Classic Mile day, despite missing two days of work with a hoof abscess in the lead-up, and he was to be Zac Purton's ride before he was injured. As a son of Melbourne Cup (3,200m) winner Shocking, he should handle further ground. 3. Mickley
The British import once again had excuses in the Classic Mile, but his eye-catching performance puts him right in the mix for the next two legs of the Classic Series.
Despite being unbalanced as a result of heavy contact from Markwin in the straight, the John Size-trained gelding stormed home in the second-fastest final 400m of the race to finish fifth. 4. Divano
Lui's talented galloper dispelled any queries he would run a strong mile emphatically, almost pinching the Classic Mile with a barnstorming run from last.
He was the only horse to break 22 seconds for the final 400m when beaten a neck. If he can back that up rising to 1,800m, he can figure prominently again. 5. Rubylot
The David Hayes-trained gelding was snagged back to near last from gate 10 and made his run down the outside when sixth, running the third-fastest final 400m of the Classic Mile.
With his pedigree indicating the rise to 1,800m will be ideal, he is certainly capable of improving on that performance. 6. Noisy Boy
Another likely addition from outside the Classic Mile, Dennis Yip Chor-hong's import will chase a third straight win after saluting over 2,200m and 2,000m.
The drop back to 1,800m might not be ideal, but the former Australian Group Two runner-up looks on track to run a big race en route to the Derby. 7. Cap Ferrat
Nothing went right for the Australian import in the Classic Mile, fading to finish 12th after travelling wide without cover for most of the race.
He was narrowly beaten on his Hong Kong debut behind Mickley and will get better over more ground, with his pre-import record highlighted by a second in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2,000m). 8. Mid Winter Wind
The South African import created a big impression on his Hong Kong debut for Newnham, rocketing home to score over 1,200m at Sha Tin.
While it would be a quick rise to make it to the Classic Cup and Derby, he was tested up to 2,000m pre-import and shapes as a contender with X-factor. Newnham plans to step him up to a mile on Sunday. 9. Californiatotality
Tony Cruz's tough on-speed galloper looks a stayer in the making and is fresh from a strong 1,800m win on Sunday.
It was the son of Zoustar's second success at the trip and Cruz is bullish about his prospects over the 2,000m of the Derby. 10. Packing Hermod
Sent off the $2.8 favourite in the Classic Mile, Lui's quality galloper had every chance but fell short when beaten half a length in third.
While the step up to 1,800m is a query and Purton has jumped off, he is still more than capable and shouldn't be written off.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTHK
5 days ago
- RTHK
Spurs beat Arsenal in Kai Tak north London derby
Spurs beat Arsenal in Kai Tak north London derby Spurs claimed the Herbalgy Trophy with their win over Arsenal in their friendly at Kai Tak Stadium. Photo courtesy of the Hong Kong Football Festival Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur delivered a slice of football history on Thursday by staging the first North London derby outside the United Kingdom as nearly 50,000 fans packed Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium for a pre-season friendly. The mouth-watering clash proved so popular that around 20,000 people turned up just to watch the two teams train, underlining the rarity of Premier League local rivals facing off in pre-season friendlies. Despite tickets costing as much as HK$2,499, fans considered the historic occasion worth every penny as the North London rivalry finally crossed continents. "I'm extremely excited. Firstly, watching Arsenal, it's my second time. I was excited then, I'm still excited now, but this is the North London Derby," said Khalid Saleh, a 33-year-old Arsenal fan from Perth. "This is the one game where we're very nervous ... It's probably a childhood dream, man, to come watch a North London derby." The match ended 1-0 to Spurs with their Senegal midfielder Pape Matar Sarr scoring the winner late in the first half with a spectacular strike from near the centre circle after he spotted goalkeeper David Raya off his line. For many Arsenal fans, the main attraction was watching their 76 million euros (US$86.72 million) Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres making his debut, part of the club's close-season spending spree approaching 200 million pounds (US$263.94 million). Wearing the iconic number 14 shirt, Gyokeres came on as a late substitute, welcomed onto the pitch with a huge roar that echoed around the stadium, which had its roof closed. "We just signed a new striker, probably the first (specialist) striker we signed since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang," said Mo Muse, an Arsenal fan from Melbourne. "We're feeling super, super confident, obviously. Probably one of the best transfer windows." Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was 'amazed' by the support, thanking them for their patience after Arsenal returned to Hong Kong for the first time since 2012. "It just makes you feel how wonderful and big this football club is and how lucky we are to have the support with the level of intensity as well that people love our football club here, so it was great to witness," Arteta said. Spurs supporters, meanwhile, were eager to see their captain Son Heung-min, with many fearing it could be their last chance to watch the 33-year-old South Korea forward in the club's colours amid transfer speculation. "Sonny has stayed for a decade in Tottenham," said Spurs fan Patrick Lau, who held a placard with pictures of the talismanic forward. "No matter whether Sonny decides to stay or maybe move to the next chapter, we are so glad that Son has stayed for Tottenham for a decade. He is our legend forever!" Simba, a Spurs fan from Hangzhou, said he bought tickets for the match mainly to watch Son, who also came on as a substitute. "I came because Son Heung-min might leave the team," he said. "I hope to see him a few more times and watch him one last time, as he's my favourite player." (Reuters)
HKFP
6 days ago
- HKFP
Hong Kong Stadium suffered loss of HK$35 million over past 2 years
The Hong Kong Stadium suffered a loss of nearly HK$35 million over the past two fiscal years, the government has said, adding that it welcomes suggestions for 'making good use' of the major sports venue. Rosanna Law, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, said on Wednesday in response to a lawmaker that the Hong Kong Stadium saw HK$57.2 million in expenses during the 2024/25 fiscal year and an income of HK$37.4 million, resulting in a deficit of nearly HK$20 million. In the 2023/24 fiscal year, when the city's borders had just reopened after the pandemic, the Hong Kong Stadium recorded a deficit of HK$15 million. Opened in 1952 and redeveloped in 1994, the Hong Kong Stadium is located in Causeway Bay and has 40,000 seats. It was the largest stadium in Hong Kong until March, when the Kai Tak Sports Park – featuring the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium – opened. In 2019, while the Kai Tak Sports Park was being developed, the government proposed redeveloping the Hong Kong Stadium into a public sports ground with sports facilities for booking. The government also suggested allowing runners to use the sports ground for free, according to local media outlets. Last year, the city's leader John Lee said during his policy address that authorities would conduct a review of the redevelopment plan to ensure the Hong Kong Stadium's 'synergy' with the Kai Tak Sports Park. Law said on Wednesday that the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau 'will make reference' to the operation of the Kai Tak Sports Park to further assess the role of the Hong Kong Stadium. 'At present, [the Hong Kong Stadium] continues to serve as a major venue for large-scale events,' she added. The Hong Kong Stadium hosted 39 ball games and 10 'other events' over the past three years, Law said.
South China Morning Post
7 days ago
- South China Morning Post
ONE Championship: Superlek lured back into ring in to fight Japanese kickboxer in Tokyo
Superlek Kiatmoo9 has been persuaded to return to the ring and will face Yuki Yoza in a bantamweight kickboxing clash at ONE 173 on November 16. Earlier this month, the Muay Thai legend told the Post he was unlikely to fight again in 2025 However, after he was called out by Yoza on social media, Superlek took the opportunity to get back in the ring and will fight his Japanese opponent in Tokyo's Ariake Arena. 'You said you were giving me nightmares. But when I defeat you, it's not a nightmare, it's a prophetic dream,' Yoza wrote to Superlek. Superlek, 29, will be looking to rebound from his loss to Nabil Anane at ONE 172, also in Tokyo. ONE Championship's Superlek Kiatmoo9 previously said he was unlikely to return to the ring in 2025. Photo: Edmond So The Thai superstar, known as 'The Kicking Machine,' has taken time off to recover from injuries and now returns in a pivotal bout that could shape the division's title picture.
