John Size is aiming to give Hong Kong a third victory in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) when Sight Success lines up as one of two horses representing the city in the race along with Duke Wai on Dubai World Cup night (Saturday, 25 March) at Meydan.

Hong Kong has a rich history in the Al Quoz Sprint with a pair of wins thanks to Joy And Fun (2010) and Amber Sky (2014), while Amazing Kids tackled the 2017 edition of the race for Size to finish a brave sixth on rain-affected ground.

The largely underrated Sight Success is yet to win at the top-level. He’s been overshadowed by Hong Kong’s headline sprinters for much of his career, however, he remains firmly entrenched among the upper echelon of the city’s always strong sprinting division.

“He seems alright, he seems to have travelled ok – he’s healthy and well, he’s doing his work and he’s relaxing, every day he is getting a little bit better. I think we’ll find out on race day how he has handled it – it’ll be the test,” Size said.

By Magnus, Sight Success has improved sharply across the last 12 months – now rating 121 (in Hong Kong) after kicking off his career on a mark of 52. The six-year-old has twice placed at Group 1 level from his last three starts in Hong Kong and will put form around Wellington, Lucky Sweynesse and Sky Field to the test in Dubai this weekend.

“The horse seems fine, there is nothing untoward about him. He should be fine,” Size said. “I think that’s a good draw (barrier 13) for him, I don’t know the other horses obviously, but I think he probably wants to be drawn where there’s a bit of space anyway.”

Sight Success most recently won the G3 Bauhinia Sprint Trophy Handicap (1000m) in January down the Sha Tin straight, while a luckless Duke Wai finished in a dead-heat for third in the same race. One start prior, Sight Success finished under a length behind Wellington in the 2022 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m).

“He’s won in Hong Kong in a straight race, so he must be able to run in a straight line and that’s always helpful to know that he’s done something that we’re asking him to do. It’s just a matter of getting the right tempo in the race and a speed that can help him,” Size said.

Sight Success faces the likes of Al Dasim – who is unbeaten over 1200m at Meydan – as well as Al Suhail, The Astrologist, Flaming Rib and more.

“We’ll see what sort of pace they show, when you get a group of horses that don’t race against each other there’s plenty of unknowns – we just have to do our best and the jockeys will know something about the other horses,” Size said.

Ryan Moore will ride Sight Success for the first time. An 11-time Hong Kong Champion Trainer, Size is chasing a first win with a travelling horse this weekend.

Sight Success, Duke Wai, Glorious Dragon, Senor Toba and Russian Emperor all did light work around the main dirt course at Meydan this morning (Thursday, 23 March).

Duke Wai will break from gate seven in the Al Quoz Sprint, while Glorious Dragon has drawn barrier 15 in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m). Russian Emperor and Senor Toba will step away from barriers three and nine, respectively, in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m).

All eyes on Dettori at Meydan

Away from Hong Kong’s representatives today (Thursday, 23 March), iconic jockey Frankie Dettori was the star of the show in Meydan’s press room ahead of an expected final Dubai World Cup night.

Dettori has enjoyed a stellar career in the saddle, including a slew of big race victories in Hong Kong capped by three G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) successes with Fantastic Light (2000), Falbrav (2003) and Ramonti (2007).

“I’m just thinking of the task ahead – I have got seven rides on Saturday (25 March) and I’ve got to prepare myself equally for my best for every one of them.

“I have got plenty on my mind at the moment and obviously with the draw yesterday (Wednesday, 22 March) now we can get to work and yes, I’m not just thinking of my farewell, I’m thinking of trying to do well,” Dettori told the Dubai Racing Club.

Dettori is aiming to win a fifth G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) and second in succession when he hops aboard the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer this weekend.

“This year, more strength and depth with eight Japanese runners, multiple Group 1 winners, massive field and one thing is for sure with Country Grammer is he is all heart – he leaves everything on the track,” Dettori said.