Joshua Tree, Collection subject to late injury scares in
Hong Kong
Canadian International (Can-G1) hero JOSHUA TREE (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]) and
According to the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Department of Veterinary Regulation
Joshua Tree and Collection will undergo another examination Sunday morning to
The news was upbeat for three other runners who had been subject to health
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The Moore-trained ABLE ONE (Cape Cross [Ire]) had suffered an abrasion to the
surface of the left eye following track work on Wednesday, but after his
Saturday examination, Hong Kong’s champion miler was given the green light for
Sunday’s Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1).
His stablemate ONE WORLD (Danehill Dancer), who had sustained a capped right
front elbow on Wednesday, also passed his Saturday examination and was declared
fit to contest Sunday’s Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1).
Vase entrant BOARD MEETING (Anabaa), trained by Elie Lellouche, earlier had a
medial quarter crack in her right-fore hoof with some associated infection. The
French invader was deemed recovered in her exam and was passed as fit.
In other Hong Kong news:
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute sounded a cautionary note about one of his trio of
International runners, veteran sprinter KINGSGATE NATIVE (Mujadil).
“I’m happy with two of my three horses, and just waiting for the results of a
blood test for Kingsgate Native,” Stoute said of England’s only hope in the
Sprint.
“(Cup entrant) GLASS HARMONIUM (Verglas [Ire]) is well and (Vase contender)
CRYSTAL CAPELLA (Cape Cross [Ire]) comes here fresh, as her season has been
interrupted by her splint problems. She actually had two of them, would you
believe? But she’s very well now, and (jockey) Ryan (Moore) has been in good
form both in Japan and here.
“It’s a great meeting here at the end of the season — people are a little
more relaxed,” Stoute observed. “Where else do you get everyone sitting down
together and chatting at a breakfast like this?”
Ryan Moore, who captured both the World Super Jockeys Series in Japan last
month and the Hong Kong International Jockeys’ Championship on Wednesday night,
is confident in Crystal Capella.
“She is in tremendous form and must have a great chance if she can reproduce
the best of her form,” the rider said. “I have been delighted with her this week
and she gave me a really good feel on Thursday.”
Jockey Moore will partner another leading fancy, multiple Group 1 star SNOW
FAIRY (Intikhab) in the Cup. The two teamed up for a sensational score in the
November 14 Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup (Jpn-G1) at Kyoto.
“She doesn’t need any serious work and she has just been ticking over here
all week,” trainer Ed Dunlop said of Snow Fairy. “I am delighted with the way
she is shaping up. Her weight is spot-on and we are very hopeful she will give
us plenty to shout about tomorrow, despite this trip (about 1 1/4 miles) being
slightly short of her optimum.
“I was pleased to see her form from the QEII Commemorative Cup at Kyoto work
out well. Meisho Beluga (French Deputy), whom she beat four lengths, ran a good
sixth in the Japan Cup (Jpn-G1) next time and was only beaten 3 1/4 lengths!
“We have to remember she is only a three-year-old and this race will be a big
guide to where we go next season. Being able to look at 2,000-meter races in
2011 will give us so many more options.”
Eric Libaud, trainer of defending Cup champion VISION D’ETAT (Chichicastenango),
was succinct in his Saturday assessment.
“Nothing left to do,” Libaud said. “All is well. Here’s hoping he can do it
again.”
The connections of the two Japanese runners are looking forward to their
engagements.
Track rider Masanori Watanabe spoke of Grade 1 hero JAGUAR MAIL (Jungle
Pocket), a barnstorming fourth in the Japan Cup last time. Jaguar Mail hopes
that the third time is the charm after two narrow losses in the Vase.
“Now my horse realizes the race is coming soon and he’s had a good
preparation,” Watanabe said. “With only two weeks since the Japan Cup, he is
still in good form. I hope he can perform his best and the best result comes to
us.”
Trainer Masanori Nishizono commented on recent Mile Championship (Jpn-G1)
winner A SHIN FORWARD (Forest Wildcat), who seeks to follow up in the Mile.
“I am very happy that his weight has come back almost to what it was at his
previous start,” Nishizono said, “because three days after that race he was
already quarantined alone at home, and that made him anxious and lose weight. I
hope he can keep his good Japanese form and be relaxed tomorrow.
“As I walked on the turf course this morning my impression was that it was a
tougher course than I’d expected, but everybody has the same conditions, and it
does not worry me. I have been advised by other Japanese trainers who’ve had
runners at Sha Tin in the past, and we have been doing the best we can.
“For me, I had experience riding in Ireland before, but this is my first time
coming overseas with a horse I’ve trained, and I am very proud of it. As a
representative of Japan, I hope that he can run to his best. I am looking
forward to seeing his performance in this world class field tomorrow.”
Among the speedster brigade, trainer Ricky Yiu is expecting two-time Hong
Kong Sprint star SACRED KINGDOM (Encosta de Lago) to deliver his trademark
performance.
“I’m still very happy with him,” Yiu said. “Everything is fine. It’s going to
be a great race, maybe the best Sprint for years, maybe even better than last
year. He’ll be right there.”
Trainer Patrick Shaw has witnessed improvement from Sprint threat ROCKET MAN
(Viscount), who dead-heated for the win in the Jockey Club Sprint (HK-G2) in his
Hong Kong debut.
“The horse has done well and naturally we’re looking forward to Sunday,” Shaw
said of the Singapore standout. “I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily come on from
the sprint trial, but he’s held his form and he’s more mellow — more settled in
this new environment. And he’s negotiating the turns better and better. He’s
still inclined to lug out a little, but he’s much better than he was when we
first got here.”
Trainer Tony Noonan, who will saddle Australian hope ORTENSIA (Testa Rossa)
in the Sprint, tabbed Rocket Man as the main danger.
“She was nice and calm again this morning which is a good sign,” Noonan said.
“We just need a good, genuine pace and hopefully something to cart her into the
race. If she can be in touch with 200 meters to go, she’ll really let down and
hit the line.
“It’s going to be tough. The good chances on paper have drawn well, which
makes it that much harder for us.
“Rocket Man’s going to be hard to beat. He’s stabled opposite us and he looks
great — a real ball of muscle. But Ortensia is spot-on. She’s never been
better. “