G1 Queen’s Spring Cup

The Grade 1 Queen’s Spring Cup highlights the card of racing here in Hong Kong today.  Trainers were cautiously optimistic of the weather when they entered their charges but no luck here for trainers hoping for a firm turf course.  With rain continuing to fall up to post time the turf course has held up well but will be yielding today.  Who will be the bright spot on this dreary day?

PP#1 High Gold N Bold (IRE) 11/1

(High Chaparral (IRE) x North light (IRE)

Best speed figure at this distance: 112

Trainer reigart will be looking for a return to form here for his 4yo colt.  He started the year with a nice score in the G3 Nikkan Sport in Japan at this distance (112 speed figure) but surprisingly went flat after that.  He has the ability to sit a perfect trip in behind the leaders and make his move as they turn for home.  The main question for me is if he is ready for this level after failing vs. G1 company in the past.  If he can return to his effort three back he has every chance to prove me wrong.

PP#2 The Oil Rules All 7/1

(Unbridled’s Song x Seattle Slew)

Best speed figure at this distance: 116

Making his return to Hong Kong will be the winner of this event in 2009.  Ironically when Oil won this event in 09 it was run under similar conditions on a good track.  His off track ability rates among the best in the field, some of his biggest scores have come on less than firm tracks.  He is getting a little long in the tooth and may have lost a step, but no matter what puts in his run for trainer tao.  He comes in off of a 4^th place finish in his last start and that should set him up nicely in here.  The slick pick.

PP#3 The Strangler (GB) 7/2

(Pivotal (GB) x Sadler’s Wells)

Best speed figure at this distance: 116

Speed, speed, speed is the name of the game for the Strangler.  He only knows one way and that is to go to the front and not look back.  2010 was a banner year for him as he put his opponents in a choke hold on numerous occasions, on the way to multiple graded scores.  Six of his nine career wins have come at this distance highlighted last year by a win in the ten furlong G1 Coxless Stakes.  His two starts this year have not been bad at all and should set him up for another top performance in here.

PP#4 King Kajinskyha (JPN) 6/1

(King Kamehameha (JPN) x Seattle Slew)

Best speed figure at this distance: 112

Leaving the four hole will be the rapidly developing King Kajinskyha.  He seemed to improve more and more last year and started hitting his best stride mid summer with a score in the G2 Colonial Derby at this distance of ten furlongs.  He ran a credible second in the G2 Los Angeles Derby to end the year and was given some time off.  He has yet to find the winners circle this year but was awfully close in his last start only losing by three quarters of a length.  He looks to be turning the corner and just needs that next step to reach G1 glory.

PP#5 El Otto 6/1

(Malibu Moon x El Gran Senor)

Best speed figure at this distance: 113

El Otto seems to be following me wherever I go or maybe it is the opposite way around!  The cutback in distance last out in the G1 Sand Castle Fee Duty certainly didn’t help him as he dropped to one of the lowest speed figures in his career.  I certainly wouldn’t hold it against him as he certainly wants longer and gets it in here.  His speed figures at this distance are improving with each start as he has run in the mid teens in his last two starts at ten furlongs.  Will be coming on late and don’t see him finishing worse than third.

PP#6 Moskovskaya 5/1

(Dynaformer x Kingmambo)

Best speed figure at this distance: 110

Moskovskaya was bred to be a good one.  His mom was a multiple Grade 1 winner on the dirt, earning over $1.5 million.  He seemed to inherit most of her talent minus one thing.  The love of the brown stuff!  He has not looked back after stepping foot on the sod and showed his early ability with a G1 win in The Jockey Club.  He somewhat struggled to reach those heights again until finding his form at the end of last year.  His running style is versatile as he can be placed where needed in the race.  His best strategy here would be to sit mid-pack and make one bold move.  Looking to make his momma proud.

PP#7 The Sporty Life 9/2

(Rock Hard Ten x Summer Squall)

Best speed figure at this distance: 112* at 9.5f

It has taken a while for Sporty to get going with his career but trainer kissnsocal’s patience has been rewarded.  He has stepped into graded company with mixed results but has shown some glimpses of what can do.  His effort two starts back in a listed stakes was impressive both in looks and number (112).  He is also a horse that needs an uncontested lead that he may not get in here.  His numbers in listed stakes say he belongs but each time he steps up to graded class he seems to regress.  Not sure what to expect in here but if he can put his “A” game together in here he certainly has a shot.

PP#8 Legends of Rock 7/2

(Rock Hard Ten x Seattle Slew)

Best speed figure at this distance: 114

Talk about a horse that believes that when you race it is finish first or nothing!.  Legends has put together a pretty impressive race record for the powerful Lenny empire.  If he doesn’t win he usually can be found finishing out of the money.  With twelve wins from 19 stars on the turf he has been fairly consistent and three starts back won on an off track.  He is a jockey’s dream and can be placed wherever needed in the race.  He has gone undefeated since November of last year and looks to add another notch to his belt.  As a Canadian how can I not cheer for a horse that won our Queen’s Dish and a race called the Northern Beer Cap!  For the win eh!

All in all this is a very tough race in terms of picking a winner.  It is a close race and you could make an argument for anyone in here.  They all have similar speed figure tops and the biggest question mark here will be the footing and who can handle it best.  Best of luck to all.

My picks 8 – 4 – 3 – 2