The HK$15 million ($1.9 million U.S.) Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1) is the final race of the Global Sprint Challenge, run at 1200 meters (6 furlongs) on the turf.
Defending champion Lucky Nine was sent off as the 5-2 favorite in the field of 12, off his win in the Jockey Club Sprint (G2), the main local prep for this race. In to challenge him included 15-4 second choice Time After Time, runner-up of the Jockey Club Sprint, and 3-1 third choice Lord Kanaloa, in from Japan where he won the Sprinters Stakes (G1) at Nakayama.
Jockey Richard Fourie sent 9-1 Cerise Cherry to the lead down the backstretch through fractions of 23.80 and 45.55 while stalked by 59-1 Leading City and Lord Kanaloa. Cerise Cherry opened up a 1 1/4 length lead on 42-1 Captain Sweet at the 1/4 pole, but Lord Kanaloa was re-rallying after dropping back to fourth. Lord Kanaloa ran by Cerise Cherry at the 1/8 pole to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:08.50 over the good course. It was just a nose back to Captain Sweet third.
Results chart from HKJC with video replay
