Hong Kong Classic Cup
Hong Kong Classic Cup
Group One Betting Guide
| Date: | February 26, 2023 |
| Location: | Sha Tin Racecourse, Hong Kong |
| Distance: | 1800m |
| Prize Money: | HK$12,000,000 |
The Hong Kong Classic Cup is a Group 1 race restricted to four-year-olds, held over 1800m in late February each year.
This is the second race in the famous Four-Year-Old Classic Series in Hong Kong, with the Hong Kong Classic Mile and the Hong Kong Derby.
Owners and trainers alike will be seeking victory in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, as the top three horses in the race earn a priority place in the Hong Kong Derby.
The race was known as the Hong Kong Derby Trial up until 2010.
2023 Hong Kong Classic Cup odds
The 2023 Hong Kong Classic Cup odds as of February 20 look like this:
- Tuchel – $4.00
- Beautyverse – $5.50
- Super Sunny Sing – $6.00
- Voyage Bubble – $6.00
- Galaxy Witness – $7.00
- Keefy – $7.50
- Sweet Encounter – $8.50
Complete Hong Kong Classic Cup odds available at Neds.
Best bookmakers for Hong Kong Classic Cup
All of HorseBetting’s recommended online bookmakers run markets for the Hong Kong Classic Cup each year, including all-in and futures options. Check out the licensed betting sites below to find the best odds for the 2024 Hong Kong Classic Cup.
Latest Hong Kong Classic Cup News
Hong Kong Classic Cup history
Run over 1800m, the Hong Kong Classic Cup adds a stamina layer to the Classic Mile’s speedier test. The race prepares the four-year-old runners to stretch out to 2000m for the Hong Kong Derby.
Since the inception of the race in 2006, John Size has dominated with four winners (2009, 2013, 2015 & 2016). John Moore has three wins (2012, 2014 & 2017) to his name in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, whilst Francis Lui, Frankie Lor and Anthony Millard have all picked up multiple wins in the race.
Despite several trainers picking up multiple wins in the HK Classic Mile, only two jockeys have managed to win the race on more than one occasion. Gerald Mosse (2006, 2007 & 2010) and Olivier Doleuze (2008, 2009 & 2012) are the only jockeys to achieve the feat, each winning the race three times.
The superstar that is Golden Sixty smashed the race record set by Rapper Dragon (1:46.98) in 2017 when clocking in at 1:45.88 in what was one of the most astonishing wins in the race’s brief history.
2023 Hong Kong Classic Cup Final Field
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2022 Hong Kong Classic Cup result
1st – California Spangle ($1.90)
2nd – Turin Redsun ($3.75)
3rd – Money Catcher ($11.25)
Previous Hong Kong Classic Cup runnings
- California Spangle earned a tilt at the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) after repelling a cracking field in the Hong Kong Classic Cup to defy questions over his stamina with a superb performance at Sha Tin. Leading virtually all the way under a masterful front-running ride from Zac Purton, the son of champion sprinter Starspangledbanner plumbed the depths of his reserves to win the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, prevailing from Turin Redsun and Money Catcher, while previously unbeaten Romantic Warrior finished fourth after covering ground from barrier 13.
- On the back of a well-rated ride from Alex Badel, Frankie Lor landed the HK Classic Cup with Healthy Happy. It was the gelding out of Zoustar’s first start at 1800m and following a ridiculously good front-running steer from Badel, he simply never looked like getting run down. With his rivals flat to board trying to chase him down with 400m to go, Healthy Happy kept kicking throughout the home straight and despite the field closing in during the concluding stages, a win was never really in doubt.
- The all-conquering Golden Sixty was breathtaking when taking out the HK Classic Cup and in doing so broke Rapper Dragon’s race record. The Francis Lui-trained superstar added the Hong Kong Classic Cup to his resume following a similarly smart win in the Hong Kong Classic Mile. His trainer revealed post-race he was only running at about 75% fitness, so the fact he was able to break a race record, shows just how good Golden Sixty is.
- Mission Tycoon gave the four-year-old pecking order a shake when saluting in the Hong Kong Classic Cup as a $91 chance. Trainer Frankie Lor managed to train three of the first four across the line, but never in his wildest dreams did he expect to see Mission Tycoon lead his brigade. In the past 11 seasons, seven horses had won at double figure odds in the HK Classic Cup and in 2013 the John Size-trained It Has To Be You lifted the silverware at a whopping 125/1, so Mission Tycoon’s win perhaps wasn’t too much of a shock.
- Singapore Sling gave Anthony Millard a second Hong Kong Classic Cup win when causing an upset in the 2018 edition. Having been sent around as a double figure chance, the South African import managed to come off heels when entering the home straight and when asked for an effort was too strong for his rivals late. He managed to turn the tables on Hong Kong Classic Mile winner Nothingilikemore who was sent around as a $1.80 chance in this, but was no match for Singapore Sling.
- Rapper Dragon moved to being one win away from becoming the first horse to win the Four-Year-Old Classic Series after taking out the 2017 Hong Kong Classic Cup. The Australian-bred gelding was the well-favoured $1.65 favourite and the victory never looked in doubt as jockey Joao Moreira kicked away in the straight as Pakistan Star did well to close late.
Previous Hong Kong Classic Cup winners
| Hong Kong Classic CupPast Winners | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2022 | California Spangle | Zac Purton | Tony Cruz |
| 2021 | Healthy Happy | Alex Badel | Frankie Lor |
| 2020 | Golden Sixty | Vincent Ho | Francis Lui |
| 2019 | Mission Tycoon | Derek Leung | Frankie Lor |
| 2018 | Singapore Sling | Chad Schofield | Anthony Millard |
| 2017 | Rapper Dragon | Joao Moreira | John Moore |
| 2016 | Sun Jewellery | Ryan Moore | John Size |
| 2015 | Thunder Fantasy | Karis Teetan | John Size |
| 2014 | Designs On Rome | Tommy Berry | John Moore |
| 2013 | It Has To Be You | Tim Clark | John Size |
| 2012 | Zaidan | Olivier Doleuze | John Moore |
| 2011 | Ambitious Dragon | Maxime Guyon | Anthony Millard |
| 2010 | King Dancer | Gerald Mosse | Sean Woods |
| 2009 | Unique Jewellery | Olivier Doleuze | John Size |
| 2008 | Green Birdie | Olivier Doleuze | Casper Fownes |
| 2007 | Floral Pegasus | Gerald Mosse | Tony Cruz |
| 2006 | Hello Pretty | Gerald Mosse | Francis Lui |
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