I saddle Toormore for Godolphin in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday, and he is going to be one that I remember for the rest of my training days. He is my first runner in Hong Kong.
I saddle Toormore for Godolphin in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday, and he is going to be one that I remember for the rest of my training days. He is my first runner in Hong Kong.
Yes, I have been to Hong Kong many times before, but always in the capacity as assistant to my father. This is the first to represent me here since taking over the licence.
You have to love what they are doing for racing in Hong Kong. They have created a racing environment that is so vibrant and exciting for the professionals and the punters.
I love it the way the man in the street will be studying his form sheet over their tea at Yum Cha. They have a passion for racing here.
Toormore will do Godolphin and the Hannon stable proud in the Mile, I am sure. He is a tough horse, and just the type needed for this meeting.
What I have learned about coming here is that you can't tack Hong Kong on to the end of the European season as an after-thought. It is too seriously competitive.
You have to have one that is seriously in form and what I would call a "proper" horse.
Toormore fits the bill very well. He is a real professional. He is an excellent racehorse and competitor, which he will need to be, as the Mile will be one of the best races at this year's meeting.
Able Friend, the local champion, has drawn wide in gate 10, while the highly-regarded Japanese runner Maurice is on his outside, in gate 11. We are just on their inside, in gate 9.
James Doyle gets on very well with Toormore, they are a good combination.
One thing I specifically did with Toormore before coming here was to give him a little break in training in October. After he ran a third in the G1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp, I gave him two weeks off. I think it helped him freshen up for Hong Kong.
He will handle the ground, and the draw gives him options in the early part of the race. He tends to be a little keen in his races (he certainly was in Turkey), but I think James will have that well sorted out.
I am very happy to have this Hong Kong runner for Godolphin, who have been very loyal supporters since I took over the licence.
It is up to the Godolphin team, but I am hoping Toormore does well at Sha Tin and that we can keep him going for the important Dubai World Cup night in March.
Richard Hannon Jr was champion trainer in the UK in 2014 in his first season with the licence.
