Hong Kong’s hopes at Seoul racing’s international showcase were dealt challenging hands at Thursday’s (7 September) barrier draw, with Duke Wai pulling gate 11 of 15 in the G3 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand) and Apache Pass assigned 13 of 15 in the G3 Korea Cup (1800m, sand).

Trainer Pierre Ng – who is on the ground in South Korea overseeing the preparation of his duo – was left with mixed emotions as the emerging handler chases a first overseas win this Sunday afternoon (10 September). 

“For the Sprint, I think we can get away with it. We just have to be positive and get a nice spot. For the Cup, I think that draw is a little bit tricky and we need lots of luck to get cover from there,” Ng said.

Super Jockey won the Korea Sprint in 2016 from barrier two and remains Hong Kong’s sole win at Seoul Racecourse in South Korea, while Fight Hero went agonisingly close in 2018 to finish second from barrier 13 after racing wide for much of the contest.

Ng has previous experience travelling horses, heading to Dubai with Duke Wai and Glorious Dragon in March. He also campaigned superstar sprinter Aerovelocity successfully to Japan and Singapore, when working alongside former Hong Kong trainer Paul O’Sullivan.

“Obviously, Duke Wai has travelled well, and Apache Pass is trying to go through that. He lost a little bit of weight but we’re working hard on that before Sunday,” Ng said.

The pair worked in the early hours of Thursday morning and Ng was left satisfied with their efforts as they ready to face unfamiliar rivals from both Japan and South Korea.

“They had an 800 metre gallop. It won’t be a very fast time, it was just to maintain their fitness. Both of them look healthy and well enough towards Sunday’s race, we’re trying to pick up a little bit more condition before the weekend,” said Ng, who finished a strong maiden season in Hong Kong last term with 41 wins.  

Japan’s Crown Pride and Gloria Mundi step away from gates 14 and 15, respectively, in the Korea Cup, while in the Korea Sprint, Bathrat Leon drew gate one and Remake has six.

Last year’s winner of the Korea Sprint, Eoma Eoma, drew sweetly in barrier five, while Global Hit – the home team’s new kid on the block – was allotted draw four in the Korea Cup.

Ng will have one eye firmly fixed on Sha Tin as well where he has a strong team of seven entered across the season-opening 10-race fixture this Sunday.

Impressive last-start winner Greenwich shapes as Ng’s leading chance for a first day victory in the second section of the Class 4 Yi Tung Shan Handicap (1200m) with jockey Zac Purton engaged. The War Decree gelding broke through for a maiden Hong Kong win at only his second outing last June.

“Hopefully we can get prize money in Korea and hopefully we can get a winner in Hong Kong. It’s quite a strong team for Sunday (at Sha Tin), we pretty much planned out to have a strong September. Hopefully we can get prize money to cover the summer break,” Ng said.

Ng also saddles Starship Eighty, Fortune Warrior, I Give, Good Boy, Bon’s A Pearla and Amazing Ace at Sha Tin, but win, lose or draw in South Korea this weekend, the freshman trainer will aim to continue his frequent overseas campaigns.

“After this we’ll look forward to the next stop, which should be Dubai, as long as the horses run well and come up well this time. Hopefully more and more (travel) in the future,” he said.