Hong Kong Adds New G1 Sprint to Program

A new target for the dominant band of Australian-bred sprinters has emerged following the demise of Singapore’s G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint. Only days after the news broke that the KrisFlyer would no longer be run, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) had been promoted from local to international G1 status and would be moved from the opening day of its QEII Cup meeting to the second day. A race previously won by such outstanding Australian-bred sprinters Silent Witness, Sacred Kingdom (pictured above) and Fairy King Prawn, the Chairman’s Sprint Prize will be run on the second day of the April meeting, complementing the G1 QEII Cup (2000m). The KrisFlyer had also been a popular target for Australian-breds in Singapore and Hong Kong as well as those who travelled from home. Among the races winners are the Australian-trained gallopers Takeover Target and North Boy while the Australian-breds Rocket Man and Sacred Kingdom had also been successful. The Chairman’s Sprint Prize will be carry prizemoney of HK$10 million and will be run Sunday, May 1. It becomes Hong Kong’s 11th international G1 race.