The Hong Kong Jockey Club would consider buying a slot in The Everest should the terms be favourable, chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges has confirmed.

Speaking after The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising’s Group Two Sprint Cup (1,200m) demolition job at Sha Tin last Sunday, Engelbrecht-Bresges did not rule out the possibility of the world’s best sprinter representing the Jockey Club in the world’s richest turf race.

“I think one has to see what the financial incentive is if we work with [the Australian Turf Club]. I think it’s something we can consider,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges.

“But, it cannot be only a slot in The Everest. It has to be something which benefits us. Having a slot in The Everest would benefit the owner but not necessarily us.”

There is likely to be a spot available for this October’s A$20 million (HK$98.5 million) The Everest, with reports on Wednesday suggesting Star Entertainment will relinquish its A$700,000 slot.

Ka Ying Rising’s trainer, David Hayes, said in February that “going forward I think Hong Kong sprinters will target The Everest because it’s a logical race for them”.

For Engelbrecht-Bresges, increased Australian participation in Hong Kong’s flagship meetings – the Hong Kong International Races in December and April’s Champions Day – would be a key pillar of any negotiations.

“In general, we discuss with multiple partners how we can create more international events,” said Engelbrecht-Bresges.

Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

“If you could create links between a certain event in Australia and events here, then I think we could develop an ecosystem.

“I am optimistic that probably in the next six or seven weeks we will have a clear path around how we can globally work more strongly together, especially with Australia because Australian sprinters are a must [in Hong Kong’s big races].”

Hayes has long said he’ll wait until after Ka Ying Rising’s final run of the season before he gets serious about slot negotiations, with the world’s best sprinter set to conclude his 2024-25 campaign in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1,200m) on April 27.

Team Romantic Warrior nears final hurdle

Romantic Warrior has hardly put a foot wrong during one of the most audacious overseas raids ever launched by Hong Kong connections, and with him every step of the way have been a group of Danny Shum Chap-shing’s staff who wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

While many people have chipped in during the journey, which began in December, mafoo Chan Chung-yin and work riders Gary Lau Ka-tai and Andy Luk Wai-hin have been the mainstays.

Some of Shum’s staff have been on the road for nearly four months and they have ridden every bump of a journey that saw a blistering victory in January’s Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) and a heartbreaking second in February’s Group One Saudi Cup (1,800m) on the dirt.

Victory in Saturday’s Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) would provide the ultimate end to Romantic Warrior’s Middle Eastern mission.

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“They’re all happy. They’re looking forward to Saturday, then after two weeks quarantine they’re looking forward to going back to Hong Kong,” said Shum.

“They’ve done a great job. As you can imagine, four months away from home is a big challenge for them. But it’s a great experience.”

The enormity of the efforts of the travelling brigade is not lost on jockey James McDonald, who has jetted in and out from Australia to partner Romantic Warrior.

“We can’t thank them enough for the work they’ve put into this horse and they’ve left no stone unturned,” said the Kiwi.

“This is the last race of this little journey and hopefully all goes well.”

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