2020 Hong Kong Vase Betting Tips, Best Bookmakers & Free Bets
The Hong Kong Vase isn’t the most popular betting race with the Hong Kong locals but it’s a massive international spectacle and has most of the world watching.
A race which has become synonymous with European and Japanese winners, the Hong Kong Vase is one of the best staying races in the world and it gives the locals a chance to see top-class stayers in action.
Staying races aren’t common in Hong Kong and the international contingent has dominated the race since its 1994 beginning.
Hong Kong Vase Key Facts
| Date | Saturday 5th December, 2020 |
| Track | Sha Tin |
| Distance | 2,400m |
| Class | Group 1 |
| Race Type | Set Weights |
| Prize Money | HK$18 million |
| Age | 3YO+ |
Hong Kong Vase betting card 2020
The four Group 1 races dominate the card at Sha Tin, which includes a full 10-race meeting.
Race 1: Fantastic Light Handicap
Race 2: Able Friend Handicap
Race 3: Flying Dancer Handicap
Race 4: Group 1 Hong Kong Vase
Race 5: Group 1 Hong Kong Sprint
Race 6: Lord Kanaloa Handicap
Race 7: Group 1 Hong Kong Mile
Race 8: Group 1 Hong Kong Cup
Race 9: Jim And Tonic Handicap
Race 10: Maurice Handicap
2020 Hong Kong Vase betting selections & tips
Hong Kong Vase history
Kicking off in 1994 when taken out by Red Bishop for trainer John Hammond and jockey Cash Asmussen, the Hong Kong Vase has since become a race targeted by European and Japanese connections.
Promoted to Group 1 status in 2000 and also named on the Hong Kong International Meeting schedule, the Vase has since been taken out by some of the world’s best stayers. Ouija Board, Doctor Dino, Dunaden, Red Cadeaux and Highland Reel are just some of the past winners, which were all loved around the world for their respective talents.
There were early struggles to get this race off the ground and running in Hong Kong, mainly due to the lack of local thoroughbreds contesting the 2400m race, but it has since become a showcase of what the world has to offer over the staying distances.
Betting is now popular for the HK Vase and given the level of runners on show, it will only continue to attract more punters to bookmakers. Red Bishop was the first winner in 1994 and subsequently still holds the race record time of 2:25.10. The best time since was Partipral, which ran 2:25.70 one year later.
Three horses have won the Hong Kong Vase on two occasions. Luso (1996, 97), Doctor Dino (2007, 08) and Highland Reel in 2015 and 2017. Jockey Olivier Peslier has won it an incredible four times in 1995, 1999, 2007 and 2008 aboard Doctor Dino.
Hong Kong Vase betting guide
European punters have targeted this race since it became a truly international race in 2000. Since then, there have been 11 European-trained winners and only one local winner. That came with Dominant in 2013 when John Moore trained and Zac Purton rode the upset runner, but for the most part, punters should focus on the European and also Japanese runners.
The Japanese runners have won only two Hong Kong Vase races but they are bred to see out the staying distances and their efforts have improved in recent history. Satono Crown scored a win for Noriyuko Hori in 2016, 15 years after Yasuo Ikee trained Stay Gold to win.
With the recent winners all boasting international staying form, punters should look at the European summer form as a betting guide for the Hong Kong Vase.
Hong Kong Vase past winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Exultant |
| 2017 | Highland Reel |
| 2016 | Satono Crown |
| 2015 | Highland Reel |
| 2014 | Flintshire |
| 2013 | Dominant |
| 2012 | Red Cadeaux |
| 2011 | Dunaden |
| 2010 | Mastery |
| 2009 | Daryakana |
| 2008 | Doctor Dino |
| 2007 | Doctor Dino |
| 2006 | Collier Hill |
| 2005 | Ouija Board |
| 2004 | Phoenix Reach |
| 2003 | Vallee Enchantee |
| 2002 | Ange Gabriel |
| 2001 | Stay Gold |
| 2000 | Daliapour |
| 1999 | Borgia |
| 1998 | Indigenous |
| 1997 | Luso |
| 1996 | Luso |
| 1995 | Partipral |
| 1994 | Red Bishop |
