Headed by Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1) runner-up WESTERNER (Danehill)
and reigning European Horse of the Year OUIJA BOARD (GB) (Cape Cross [Ire]), a
total of 49 horses from all corners of the world were entered Thursday for
Sunday’s Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin Racecourse.
“We are really delighted with the way the races have come across,” said
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, director of racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“We are thrilled with the level of international participation. We have
tremendous quality, we are expecting a great day on Sunday and that we’ll have
one of the best race meetings in the world.”
The absence of the meet’s marquee name, Silent Witness (El Moxie), means that
there is no standout in any of the four events. Westerner, drawn six for his
final career start, and Ouija Board, who starts just outside that one, are the
top names in the $1.8-million Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1) contested at about 1 1/2
miles. Trainer Ed Dunlop was looking for a low draw for the Japan Cup
(Jpn-G1) fifth and walked away with post 7.
Defending champion ALEXANDER GOLDRUN (Gold Away [Ire], post 1) and the
emerging local star VENGEANCE OF RAIN (Zabeel, post 4) hook up in the $2.3
million Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1) over 1 1/4 miles. The former’s trainer, Jim
Bolger, was pleased to have drawn the rail. “Hopefully we can work out a good
trip, but one never knows,” he explained. “She’ll still need a lot of luck
around there. We think she’s about the same as last year and she’s been in very
good form. We know she likes it here and we’ll take our chance.”
The filly won
from stall 12 last year.
Raymond Chow, owner of Vengeance of Rain, gave thumbs
up after drawing 4 and trainer David Ferraris was in agreement. “The draw’s
ideal and the horse is in great shape,” the South African commented. “The
opposition is strong, but they’ve got him to beat. He’s fresh and set for this
race while the Europeans are coming off long, hard seasons.”
In the $1.28 million Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1), the world’s richest event over
five furlongs, CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (Inchinor [GB]) gets his chance to shine at Sha
Tin in his fourth attempt in this race. The globetrotting seven-year-old breaks
from the middle of the field in gate 7.
“I am quite happy with that,” said
trainer David Oughton. “He’s a horse that’s very adaptable. He’s going to come
from off the pace and (jockey) Michael (Kinane) will be able to see where the
speed is and ride him accordingly.”
American speedster NICOLE’S DREAM (Northern
Trend) drew the 13 hole, which pleased her trainer, Larry Rivelli, very
much.
In the Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1), valued at $1.8 million, RAKTI (Polish
Precedent), also making his final start, drops back to a mile after finishing
second and seventh, respectively, in the Cup in 2003 and 2004.
“It’s not so much
where Rakti races from but how he leaves it,” jockey Phillip Robinson said. “He
hasn’t been too bad at the jump of late, but it’s different at home because they
let you take the hood off yourself before the gates open. The last two times I
was here it was left to the stall handler to take it off so the timing has got
to be spot-on.”
Other contenders in the 1600-meter test are Japan’s ASAKUSA DEN’EN (Singspiel [Ire]), who lowered the colors of Silent Witness in June’s
Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1); and BULLISH LUCK (Royal Academy), a charging second in
last year’s Cup and the first to beat Silent Witness in the Champions Mile
(HK-G1) last May.