12/10/10
Last updated: 12/10/10 7:19 PM
Three Hong Kong International heroes back to defend
titles
Three defending champions will bid to retain their respective crowns during
the Hong Kong International Races program at Sha Tin on Sunday. While France’s
VISION D’ETAT (Chichicastenango) aims to become the first two-time winner of the
$2.6 million Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1), local legend GOOD BA BA (Lear Fan) hopes to
turn back the clock to win his fourth straight $2.1 million Hong Kong Mile
(HK-G1), and star speedster SACRED KINGDOM (Encosta de Lago) will attempt to
lift the $1.8 million Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1) for the third time in his career.
In contrast, the throne for the $1.8 million Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1) lies vacant,
with French-based Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1) hero AMERICAIN (Dynaformer) and
multiple Grade 1-winning American WINCHESTER (Theatrical [Ire]) ranking as prime
candidates to take it.
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Vision D’Etat held on from Collection in the 2009 Cup
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
Vision D’Etat, a four-time Group 1 winner at or about the Cup distance of 1
1/4 miles, has had an interrupted campaign this year. After being allowed to run
in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) despite a last-minute injury scare, the Eric
Libaud charge showed little in 12th, and returned home sore from his first race
on a synthetic surface. Vision D’Etat was sidelined until August, but showed
that he retained all of his ability to score cozily in the Prix Gontaut Biron
(Fr-G3) at Deauville. He has raced once in the interim, rallying for second to
Twice Over (GB) (Observatory) in the October 16 Champion S. (Eng-G1) off a slow
pace at Newmarket.
Set to retire to stud after the Cup, Vision D’Etat will break from post 7 in
the 13-horse field with regular rider Olivier Peslier. That draw could be an
auspicious sign, for he won from the same post here last year.
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“It seems that we are pretty lucky on this ground,” a smiling Libaud said.
“He just had a canter on the turf track (Thursday) morning,” Libaud noted.
“He worked on the all-weather at Chantilly before he came out here, and his
preparation has gone well. This will be his last race before he takes up stud
duties, and I hope he can go out on a high. The turf is firm but it’s safe, and
he bounced off it. That was why he may have gone slightly quicker than I
expected. He’s in much the same form as he was last year.”
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Planteur will try to become the first three-year-old male to win the Cup
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
Fellow French hopes were not as well treated by the Cup draw. Group 2 victor
PLANTEUR (Danehill Dancer), runner-up in the Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1), French
Derby (Fr-G1) and Prix Niel (Fr-G2) this season, landed in post 10; E.P. Taylor
S. (Can-G1) queen REGGANE (GB) (Red Ransom) wound up in post 11; multiple Group 1
star STACELITA (Monsun), coming off a strong second in the Prix de l’Opera
(Fr-G1), drew post 12; and multiple Group 2 winner CIRRUS DES AIGLES (Even Top
[Ire]) was marooned in the far outside post 13.
“We will feel at home with all our compatriots around us,” joked Elie
Lellouche, Planteur’s trainer. “It is just as good as being at Longchamp! Joking
apart, Planteur does not need to take a flying start. He’s got a good turn of
foot and should get away with it.”
Lellouche believes that Planteur, who tired to ninth in the Prix de l’Arc de
Triomphe (Fr-G1) and was then disqualified for causing interference, is better
suited to the Cup distance.
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“He’s very well, as always on the turf, and I fancy him for the Cup over 2,000
meters,” Lellouche said. “This is the perfect trip for him. He’s proved us that
to us in the Arc and I was already wary of his lack of stamina to cover 12 furlongs.
He’s by Danehill Dancer out of a Giant’s Causeway mare whose dam is by Lear Fan
— a pure miler’s pedigree really. He’s only three, but this is the end of the season
and Vallee Enchantee, who probably wasn’t as good as him, won the Vase at three
here back in 2003.”
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Snow Fairy would join Alexander Goldrun (2004) as the only sophomore fillies to take the Cup
(Copyright Japan Racing Association) |
Trainer Ed Dunlop was pleased with post 8 for his outstanding English filly
SNOW FAIRY (Intikhab), who will once again team up with Ryan Moore.
“I don’t think the draw is a huge issue,” Dunlop said, “but if I was to
choose one, then where we are in eight is good.”
Heroine of the Oaks (Eng-G1) and Irish Oaks (Ire-G1), Snow Fairy most
recently demolished the field in the November 14 Queen Elizabeth II
Commemorative Cup (Jpn-G1) at Kyoto. A repeat of that performance would make her
difficult to beat at Sha Tin.
Snow Fairy is turning back in distance, but was a commanding winner
of the Height of Fashion S. back in May in her only previous attempt at
about 10 furlongs.
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Rounding out the British representation are current Group 3 winners SRI PUTRA
(Oasis Dream [GB]) and GLASS HARMONIUM (Verglas [Ire]). Sri Putra’s smashing
runner-up effort to Twice Over in the Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) over the summer, along
with his sharp training here, makes him a dark horse. Glass Harmonium will be
making his final start for Sir Michael Stoute before his transfer to Australia.
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Irian has been a different horse since being gelded
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
The local Cup contingent all prepped in the November 14 Jockey Club Cup
(HK-G2) at this course and distance. The John Moore-trained IRIAN (Tertullian),
a German classic winner earlier in his career, posted an impressive victory over
PACKING WINNER (Zabeel), with reigning Hong Kong Derby (HK-G1) victor SUPER
SATIN (Danehill Dancer) fourth, the high-class COLLECTION (Peintre Celebre)
fifth and SUPER PISTACHIO (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) (formerly known as Westphalia)
in seventh.
Collection, a stablemate of Irian’s from the John Moore yard, is eligible to
improve off that trial, and must be respected in light of his fine second to
Vision D’Etat one year ago. Darren Beadman significantly opts to stick with
Collection, while Brett Prebble keeps the mount aboard Irian.
Turning to the Mile, the eight-year-old Good Ba Ba appears up against it as
he eyes an unprecedented fourth victory. The only horse to three-peat in any of
the Hong Kong International Races, he has yet to visit the winner’s circle since
his historic triumph in 2009. Good Ba Ba, who changed trainers yet again when
joining Michael Chang in May, has finished eighth in both of his starts for the
new barn. The late runner’s turn of foot no longer looks like a lethal weapon.
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“He’s fine. He’s sound. He’s healthy. He’s just a bit old,” Chang said.
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Able One looks to get the jump on Thumbs Up (right) again in the Mile
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
Entering in much better form is another eight-year-old veteran, ABLE ONE
(Cape Cross [Ire]). Second to Good Ba Ba in the 2008 Mile, Able One has finally
stayed sound long enough to reach his potential and now wears the mantle of Hong
Kong’s champion miler. The Moore trainee captured the Champions Mile (HK-G1) in
April, and last time out, stole the November 21 Jockey Club Mile (HK-G2) under a
brilliant front-running ride by Beadman. Able One is well drawn in post 2, and
his tactical speed is always dangerous.
“I’m very happy with Able One’s draw,” Beadman said. “I’ll just have to see
who’s around me before I decide on the tactics. It would be good not to be
hurried in the lead like his last race, but I don’t think it’s going to be quite
that much of a gimme this time.”
John Moore noted that Able One is dealing with an eye injury at the moment.
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“It’s not too serious, but he had a bang in the eye — we don’t know how he
did it, perhaps in his stall — and we’ve put a pacifier on him to stop the wind
and dust and glare getting to it,” the trainer said. “He galloped this morning
with the pacifier on. It was his first time with that piece of equipment and
that would probably be why his work wasn’t particularly impressive.”
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Paco Boy has found a Goldikova-free zone
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
THUMBS UP (Shinko King) has traded decisions with Able One in their last
pair, beating him under a weight advantage in a Group 3 two back, then rattling
home from well back for runner-up honors in the Jockey Club Mile. Another local
contender who could make his presence felt is FELLOWSHIP (O’Reilly), a close
third in this race last year, and second to Able One in the Champions Mile. He’s
yet to recapture that level of form this preparation, however.
European-trained horses have failed to win in the past 10 runnings of the
Mile (not counting Godolphin’s 2004 winner Firebreak, who was campaigned in
Europe but actually represented the United Arab Emirates), but the 2010 team
could snap that trend. Top English miler PACO BOY (Ire) (Desert Style) has
fallen short of Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) four times over the course of this
campaign, most recently flying belatedly for fourth in the November 6 Breeders’
Cup Mile (G1) at Churchill Downs. The Richard Hannon charge was reportedly
unsuited by the tight course.
Although the Breeders’ Cup was supposed to be Paco Boy’s career finale, his
connections are giving him one last hurrah at Sha Tin. The confirmed closer
won’t have Goldikova to complicate his task, but an honest pace would help his
chances.
“The horse is well and has returned great from the Breeders’ Cup, but I would
have been happier not to have been drawn 13,” said owner John Warren, who will
stand Paco Boy at his Highclere Stud next year.
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It would be ironic if Paco Boy were to be foiled by another distaffer —
two-time Sun Chariot S. (Eng-G1) queen SAHPRESA (Sahm), who comes off a close
fourth to Japan’s A SHIN FORWARD (Forest Wildcat) from a bad draw in the
November 21 Mile Championship (Jpn-G1) — or by a stablemate of Goldikova’s,
multiple French Group 3 winner RAJSAMAN (Linamix). Also flying the flag for
Europe are DREAM EATER (Night Shift), third to Goldikova and Paco Boy in the
Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot; the Aidan O’Brien-trained BEETHOVEN (Ire)
(Oratorio [Ire]), 10th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile; and the well-regarded ROYAL
BENCH (Whipper), exiting a career-high in the October 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein
(Fr-G2).
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Americain showed quick acceleration at the Vase distance when overcoming trouble in the Geelong Cup two back
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
For all of their travails in the Mile, the Europeans have dominated the 1
1/2-mile Vase, winning nine of the last 10 editions. High-class stayer Americain,
who boasts a five-race winning streak, leads another accomplished raiding party
in Sunday’s renewal. The Alain de Royer-Dupre trainee is cutting back in
distance off his historic victory in the two-mile Melbourne Cup at Flemington,
but as he has demonstrated in training hours, he has a ferocious late kick.
Other well-credentialed Europeans include Stoute’s mare CRYSTAL CAPELLA (Cape
Cross [Ire]), who returned from a year-long layoff to spread-eagle fellow
distaffers in the October 16 Pride S. (Eng-G2) at Newmarket; Canadian
International (Can-G1) scorer JOSHUA TREE (Ire) (Montjeu [Ire]); Northern Dancer
Turf S. (Can-G1) winner REDWOOD (GB) (High Chaparral [Ire]), a near-miss third
in the Canadian International; 2009 St Leger (Eng-G1) upsetter MASTERY (GB) (Sulamani
[Ire]); Gran Premio di Milano (Ity-G1) winner JAKKALBERRY (Storming Home
[GB]); and Bosphorus Cup (Tur-G2) hero INDIAN DAYS (Daylami
[Ire]).
Redwood took to the Sha Tin turf for a Friday spin and reeled off his final
400 meters (about a quarter-mile) in a brisk :22.1 under jockey Michael Hills.
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Winchester, the only American contender in any of the four races, gives the
United States a major opportunity to land the Vase for the first time. The
Christophe Clement trainee upset his stablemate, dual champion Gio Ponti (Tale
of the Cat), in the Manhattan H. (G1) in June, and two starts ago, he nailed
Paddy O’Prado (El Prado [Ire]) in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational (G1).
Winchester had no chance held up off a slow pace in the November 6 Breeders’ Cup
Turf (G1), yet put forth a creditable rally for fourth. The crafty Peslier picks
up the mount on Winchester.
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Winchester will be rallying off a projected modest pace
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
Japanese shipper JAGUAR MAIL (Jungle Pocket) will be contesting the Vase for
the third straight year. Never beaten more than a half-length in his prior tries
here, he finished third in 2008 and fourth in 2009. Jaguar Mail, who captured
the prestigious Tenno Sho (Spring) (Jpn-G1) this season, was a solid fourth in
the November 28 Japan Cup (Jpn-G1).
Hong Kong has celebrated a single Vase win, courtesy of Indigenous in 1998,
and the grand old warhorse VIVA PATACA (Marju), the richest money-earner in Hong
Kong racing history, will try to join him on the honor roll. The eight-year-old
signaled that he’s in good order with a useful fifth to Able One in the Jockey
Club Mile in his reappearance.
John Moore is cautious rather than optimistic about Viva Pataca’s chances.
“Viva worked very well doing 1:23 for the 1200 meters (about six furlongs) and finished it
off very nicely,” the trainer said following the Thursday work. “We thought he might need another race in him before the Vase,
but the trial he did last Tuesday may have done the job. We’re very happy with
his preparation since he recovered from his shoe boil and we’ve got him as fit
as hands can make him.
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“But whether he can win this Vase I just doubt. No Hong
Kong horse has won this race for years, and I think this is the best Vase ever.
It’s a very high-class field with so many Group 1 winners in it, and giving due
consideration to his age and his interrupted preparation, and to the strength
and depth of the opposition, it’s asking a lot of him. I’ve said he’s still got
another Group 1 left in him and I’m not going back on that, but I think it might be a
Hong Kong Group 1 rather than an International one of this quality.”
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Sacred Kingdom survived a near-fatal bout of colic in March
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
The Sprint, though, has been monopolized by Hong Kong runners, and Sacred
Kingdom has been dazzling in his victories in 2007 and 2009. Indeed, the Ricky
Yiu trainee has rated as the world’s best, or joint best, sprinter for the last
three years. But for an injury that robbed him of a chance to compete in 2008,
Sacred Kingdom might well have turned the three-peat. He suffered another
setback when stricken with colic early this year. Thankfully, it was caught in
the nick of time, and after a recuperative spell, Sacred Kingdom returned
triumphant in the October 1 Sha Tin Sprint Trophy H. (HK-G3). He couldn’t make
it two in a row when a close fifth in the November 21 Jockey Club Sprint
(HK-G2), but Yiu has historically left something to work with in advance of the
big day. Sacred Kingdom ought to be in tip-top shape when he lines up in the
about six-furlong dash.
Yiu, who will also saddle last-out Sprinters S. (Jpn-G1) winner ULTRA FANTASY
(Encosta de Lago), expressed confidence in both of his Sprint contestants.
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“Sacred Kingdom has been such a great horse,” Yiu said, “and I’m still a
believer in him despite his defeat in the trial. He’s in good shape and Ultra
Fantasy can run well also. I think my two horses can both be in the first three.
Ultra Fantasy will lead for sure and Sacred Kingdom will be closing hard.”
ONE WORLD (Danehill Dancer), runner-up to Sacred Kingdom in last year’s
Sprint, closed like the proverbial freight train to dead-heat with Singapore
sensation ROCKET MAN (Viscount) in the Jockey Club Sprint. One World has been
under an injury cloud of late, and Beadman has given up the mount in favor of
another Moore runner, LET ME FIGHT (Hawk Wing).
“Darren’s going to be riding Let Me Fight because One World has had a setback
with a capped elbow,” trainer Moore said. “We had treated the injury and he’ll be OK to
run and Jeff Lloyd will take the ride.”
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Rocket Man (far side) and One World (nearest) hit the wire together in the local Sprint prep
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
Rocket Man arguably turned in the more commendable effort in the Jockey Club
Sprint, however, considering that he was ill at ease in his first attempt going
right-handed. Now experienced over a right turn, the Patrick Shaw trainee is
exceptionally qualified to beat the Hong Kong speedsters on their home turf.
Rocket Man is 12-for-15 lifetime, with his defeats coming in tight finishes at
the hands of Sacred Kingdom and GREEN BIRDIE (Catbird) in the past two runnings
of the KrisFlyer International Sprint (Sin-G1), and to Kinsale King (Yankee
Victor) in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1). Note that Rocket Man is ridden by
Felix Coetzee, the partner of the legendary Silent Witness.
Coetzee was aboard for a Friday blow-out, in which Rocket Man zipped his
final 400 meters in 21.9 on the all-weather track.
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The blazing South African J J THE JET PLANE (Jet Master) is back on song
after a disappointing 2009 in Europe. Two-for-two in 2010 since returning home
to South Africa, he has romped in the Golden Horse Sprint (SAf-G1) and Mercury
Sprint (SAf-G1) last time out on July 18. J J the Jet Plane had captured both
races in 2008 as well, so the speed merchant was actually reclaiming his titles.
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J J the Jet Plane hopes to strike for South Africa
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
On Friday morning, J J the Jet Plane flew down the all-weather track under
his big race jockey Piere “Striker” Strydom, covering the last 400 meters (about
a quarter-mile) in a rapid :21.2. There was an air of confidence in the South
African camp following the work.
“Very happy with that,” trainer Lucky Houdalakis summed up.
The Australian Group 1 heroine ORTENSIA (Testa Rossa), a distant third to the
all-conquering Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) in the November 6 Patinack Farm Classic
(Aus-G1) in her Down Under seasonal debut, could pay her a handsome compliment
with a top-three performance at Sha Tin.
“It’s going to be fascinating to see how she goes,” jockey Craig Williams
said of Ortensia. “Everyone in Australia will be watching to see how our current
sprint form measures up. She was good in the Patinack behind Black Caviar, who’s
our best sprinter at the moment. Even Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody is here
in Hong Kong.
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“She needed the run in the Patinack at Flemington and it’s always been our
view that she’s not a straight track horse. She’s better around a bend and she’s
best going right-handed.
LITTLE BRIDGE (Faltaat) is an emerging sprint star on the Hong Kong scene.
Opening his career in May, he reeled off five straight wins before checking in a
terrific third to Rocket Man and One World in the Jockey Club Sprint.
JOY AND FUN (Cullen), third in the 2009 Sprint and successful in the Al Quoz
Sprint (UAE-G3) on Dubai World Cup Day, has not raced since being well beaten in
the Golden Jubilee S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. The Hong Kong-based Green Birdie
has been plying his trade in Japan of late, just missing in the September 12
Centaur S. (Jpn-G2) prior to finishing seventh to his compatriot Ultra Fantasy
in the Sprinters at Nakayama.
Douglas Whyte takes over the mount on Green Birdie from Mark du Plessis, who
was involved in a spill in New Zealand on Friday.
