Trainer Tony Cruz has officially scratched SILENT WITNESS (El Moxie) from
Sunday’s Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1), ending slim hopes that the superstar would
try for a third consecutive triumph in the prestigious race.
With the effects of a virus still lingering in his system, the world’s
leading sprinter has failed to show his usual zip in recent works, including a
last-chance exercise over the all-weather track on Monday. Cruz consulted with
jockey Felix Coetzee and owners Archie and Betty da Silva prior to making the
widely expected declaration. Silent Witness had also been withdrawn from last
month’s major prep for this race, the International Sprint Trial (HK-G2),
because he appeared dull and was not eating well.
Silent Witness has not raced since his determined score in the Sprinters S.
(Jpn-G1) on October 2. The brilliant gelding earned worldwide acclaim earlier
this year for racking up his 17th straight victory, surpassing the previous
record of 16 held by the immortal European champion *Ribot, American Triple
Crown legend Citation and the mighty Cigar. Though he failed to win his next
two races, his only attempts at a mile, Silent Witness lost no luster with an
agonizingly close second in the Champions Mile (HK-G1) and a valiant third in
the Yasuda Kinen (Jpn-G1).
Future plans, including a projected foray into his native Australia for the
Lightning S. (Aus-G1) on February 4, are now uncertain.