The Duke outguns Armada in Mile

The Duke (inside) just held off the late rush of Armada (Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club) THE DUKE (Danehill) was never far back in Sunday’s HK$16 million Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1) at Sha Tin and punched into overdrive to take the eight-furlong event by a head over the fast-closing Armada (Towkay). It was a case of the third time being the charm for The Duke, who had finished second in last year’s Mile and third in the 2004 edition. Ramonti (Martino Alonso) quickly moved to the fore to set splits of :24.7, :47 and 1:10.5, all the while tracked by Sir Ernesto (Danehill) with The Duke in third. Coming around the turn, The Duke and jockey Olivier Doleuze circled those two to take the lead, but wasn’t the only one with a late turn of hoof. Armada, who raced on the outside in midpack, was moving furiously in the middle of the track and gaining ground on The Duke with every stride. It wasn’t quite enough, though, as the wire came just in time for the The Duke to turn the tables on his rival, who had captured the International Mile Trial (HK-G2) in November. “It is a special day, special story and special horse. It’s great to win my first group race in Hong Kong, and this horse deserves his success,” Doleuze said. “The pace was perfect for me and in the straight I made a move and got a slight lead and that is what won the race for me because Douglas (Whyte aboard Armada) was coming very hard at the finish.”

Stopping the clock in 1:33.4 on the good-to-firm turf, The Duke now boasts a
55-11-12-7 record with more than HK$38 million in lifetime earnings. Among those
wins was a victory in the 2004 International Mile Trial. In addition to his Hong
Kong Mile placings, he has also finished in the frame in the
2006 Stewards’ Cup (HK-G1) and Sha Tin Trophy (HK-G3). The
seven-year-old gelding, bred in Australia by Caradale Pty. Ltd., is out of Mer
du Sud (Bluebird). He sold for HK$1.6 million at the 2001 Hong Kong
International Sale and is now owned by Eddie Yau Jr.

The Duke gave his trainer, Caspar Fownes, a career first Group
1 win.

“We planned his campaign so this was his fourth race as he always seems to
win on his fourth start each year,” Fownes explained. “Although he is a
seven-year-old, he is in the form of his life. He has been placed in this race
before and it is great he has finally won it. It’s very special.”

Armada was just denied a second straight victory, but his late rush still
earned him runner-up honors.

“What can you say, when you go down by a head? The post came a stride too soon. He ran
brilliantly, he gave me everything,” Whyte stated after his mount’s gutsy
effort.

Ramonti managed to hold third over Bullish Luck (Royal Academy), and next
came Linngari (Indian Ridge), Joyful Winner (El Moxie), Floral Pegasus (Fusaichi
Pegasus), Rebel Rebel (Ire) (Revoque), Sir Ernesto, Russian Pearl (Soviet
Star), Bowman’s Crossing (Dolphin Street), Dance in the Mood (Jpn) (Sunday
Silence), Dave’s Best (Bishop of Cashel) and Mustameet (Sahm).