Hong Kong International race review
December 15th 2008 11:50
Although it has been asserted that thoroughbred horses have attained a speed plateau and will go no faster - someone forgot to tell Good Ba Ba this fact as he scorched to a new 1600m record of 1.32.71 at Sha Tin.
(photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club)
The International Day at Sha Tin racetrack in Hong Kong featured four International events. Each race a great example of international racing with very competitive racing and fascinating stories to come from each event.
The first feature was the Hong Kong Vase over 2400m. Doctor Dino was being aimed at back-to-back victories - although there were some doubts as to his form this season after a last start failure in Canada. It was a race run at snails-pace. Australian representative Douro Valley raced just behind the speed - but he is not a horse able to quicken and Darren Beadman could not get him into clear galloping room to force the pace. Likewise the pace should not have suited Purple Moon, who failed in the Japan Cup at his previous start because of getting back in the field in a slowly run race. A pre-race plan was hatched to ride him more forward. It did look like the Melbourne Cup runner-up of 2007 had won this feature race. Doctor Dino had been well back and was charging home very late with Japanese horse Jaguar Mail. In the narrowest of margins Doctor Dino made up the ground with giant strides and arrived just in time - once again denying Luca Cumani a feature Group One victory.
Surprisingly Good Ba Ba would not start favourite for the Hong Kong Mile - this honour going to fellow Hong Kong local in Armada who was heavily supported. And just as he did on Zarkava in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Christophe Soumillon (having his first ride on Good Ba Ba) who would bring Good Ba Ba from a position well back in the field - and finish with a withering Zarkava-like sprint. As is his usual manner, Good Ba Ba ducked in as he sprinted to the line - but he was going so quickly that there would be no opportunity for interference or bump. Good Ba Ba took nearly half of a second off a well established record. Next year Weekend Hussler is set to meet the Hong Kong champion in the feature races of Asia. What a clash that promise to be.
The Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) was won (once again) by a Hong Kong local - even if 67/1 longshot Inspiration was Australian born, and trained by an Australian (Moore); and ridden by an Australian (Beadman). The Australian representative Apache Cat would start odds-on favourite. At the top of the straight Apache Cat once again hit his trademark ‘flat-spot’ and for a moment appeared likely to finish last. But Corey Brown is well aware of this trait and persevered. This time however Apache Cat ran into a bump and traffic as he again mustered his speed - but so quickly was he finishing that he would have won clearly in 50 more metres. Or perhaps won if the pace had been genuine. Apache Cat is at his best in fast run 1200m races - but if the pace is not genuine then he truly excels at distances from 1250m to 1400m. Not disgraced - and a trip to Royal Ascot next year appears a distinct possibility.
My highlight was the win of Eagle Mountain in the Hong Kong Cup over 2000m. Mike de Koch is having great success with horses that have originated in the Ballydoyle yard of Aidan O’Brien. Archipenko to begin with - but Eagle Mountain does appear to be even better again. It was a brilliant ride by Kevin Shea to have Eagle Mountain always in the firing line before taking off on turning when other runners (Viva Pataca in particular) were caught in traffic. But that is also a feature of this versatile horse who can run a record over one mile - then run second behind one of the best stayers in the world over 1 1/2 miles in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. After missing many months of racing after breaking a pelvis, Eagle Mountain has now had 3 starts this campaign for Mike de Kock with brilliant results. He is one of the best horses in the world from 1600m to 2400m.
Below are the comments posted on the Hong Kong Jockey Club website post-race:
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup - Post Race Reaction
14 December 2008
1st - Kevin Shea - Eagle Mountain - "Very thrilled to win this. It didn't go exactly to plan. He was mucking around a bit but turning for home I was happy enough and I pulled him out and then he picked up really well. He's been really good here all week, and I was confident he'd be competitive. We know what it's like to lose; we've been second in the Arlington Million and in the Breeders' Cup - that was a bitter pill to swallow - and we'll know how to celebrate."
1st - Mike de Kock - Eagle Mountain - "I knew he was in a great shape coming into the race. Maybe his injury was a blessing in disguise as he had an enforced rest and the chance to mature. He came here a fresh horse. He ran a massive race in America and has come on again. He'll now go back to Dubai and we'll decide which race to aim him for. I've thought for a while he might be as good as Archipenko and Sun Classique, and after today he may even be better."
2nd - Gerald Mosse - Balius - "You are never satisfied when you finish second, but he's run a good race. I followed the winner through but couldn't close him down. It's the first time I've ridden him, and he's worth getting to know as he has so much heart."
3rd - Ryan Moore - Linngari - "That was a very solid effort, [I'm] delighted with the run."
4th - Darren Beadman - Viva Pataca - "I was hammered at the 1000m mark. We were knocked around from pillar to post."
5th - Christophe Soumillon - Bullish Luck - "I thought I would be second or third, but he didn't see out the 2000 metres as well as I had hoped, but it was an amazing run for a horse that's nearly 10 [years old]."
6th - Anthony Crastus - Loup Breton - "He's given me a good ride, but with 100 metres left he had nothing more to give me."
7th - Garrett Gomez - Out of Control - "That was a good run but his draw in 14 didn't help us. He was very wide but that is the luck of racing."
8th - Douglas Whyte - Sight Winner - "It was the roughest race I've ever ridden in, it was a disaster."
9th - Brett Prebble - HawkesBay - "It was crazy. Worse run race I've ever ridden in."
10th - Ioritz Mendizabal - Trincot - "He ran a good race but soon after turning into the straight I found he could not finish strongly."
11th - Olivier Peslier - Artiste Royale - "It was like an apprentice race - interference all over, and I got no breaks at all."
12th - Zac Purton - Viva Macau - "We led for a bit but only a bit!"
13th - Daniele Porcu - Estejo - "We were in trouble before the home turn."
14th - Kevin Manning - Lush Lashes - "[She's] not very comfortable going into the bend and there was real scrimmaging off the bend but in the end it was not our day and it was just one of those things that happens in racing."
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase - Post Race Reaction
14 December 2008
1 - Richard Gibson - Doctor Dino - "Before anything I want to commiserate with Luca Cumani and Purple Moon for the great race they ran. But the story is about Doctor Dino and he has joined an elite band of horses to win this race twice. He's a very unique, powerful athlete and I am very proud of him."
1 - Olivier Peslier - Doctor Dino - "He moved well down the back straight and being on the outside helped him. He takes a little time to wind up but the horse who came at me on the outside [Jaguar Mail] also helped me. I want to thank the owner and trainer and in particular Eric Gandon who rides him every day."
2 - Jamie Spencer- Purple Moon: "He has done nothing wrong it was a big step up on his effort in Japan. He was the winner everywhere bar the line."
3- Mick Kinane - Jaguar Mail: "He has run a humdinger but he could have done with more pace but there is nothing I could do about that."
4 - Christophe Soumillon - The Bogberry - "It was a good run. He was tapped for toe when they quickened but he ran on well. He will be a nice horse in France next year."
5 - Douglas Whyte - Packing Winner - "It was a really solid run. Great effort, he ran above himself."
6 - William Buick - Buccellati: "He has run a huge race and I was thrilled with him. He was really running on well to get sixth in the end."
7 - Pat Smullen - Muhannak: "He was running on empty when they quickened up. I don't think he is up to this standard."
8 - Eric Saint-Martin - Ambitious General - "I was forced very wide turning for home."
9 - Darren Beadman - Douro Valley - "Had a good run but he might have been a bit outclassed in the finish."
10 - Andreas Suborics - Poseidon Adventure - "There was no pace and when they quickened he was left flat-footed."
11 - Ryan Moore - Mourilyan: "The pace was too steady. It turned into a sprint. He was very keen when they slowed it right down in the back straight."
12 - Declan McDonogh - Mores Wells: "He was nice and relaxed but when I asked him to let down he didn't quite let down on that ground."
13 - Gerald Mosse - Jackpot Delight - "He pulled like hell and I think the horse was a little bit sore."
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile - Post Race Reaction
14 December 2008
1st - Christophe Soumillon - Good Ba Ba - "I'm very happy to have won the race, but I'm feeling sorry for Olivier (Doleuze), but these things happen in racing. I have ridden some horses with a good turn of foot, and maybe he's not Zarkava, but winning this race today for the second time makes him the best miler in the world."
1st - Andreas Schutz - Good Ba Ba - "I knew he was in the same form as last year but to win like that and break the track record was beyond my expectations. I think I'd like to keep him in Hong Kong for the big mile races here next year but we will think about going to Dubai for the Duty Free."
2nd - Darren Beadman - Able One - "The winner was just too good, and maybe my horse was just one run short, but we hadn't been able to squeeze another race into him. Still he has run very well."
3rd - Felix Coetzee - Egyptian Ra - "He's run his usual honest race but the winner was back to his very best."
4th - Olivier Peslier - Spirito Del Vento - "He was a bit cold early on, and I couldn't follow the pace. I was trying to track the winner, but his kick was too much for us.
5th - Yusuke Fujioka - Super Hornet - "He felt lethargic today and he was never comfortable. He didn't answer me at all and couldn't go forward when I asked him to."
6th - Douglas Whyte - Armada - "Very disappointing. He was left flat-footed by the winner."
7th - Weichong Marwing - Joy And Fun - "It was a good run to finish in midfield. He's a nice horse but this class finds him out."
8th - Richard Hughes - Major Cadeaux - "He ran a good, solid race but it was a pity we didn't quite get into the money."
9th - Cornelio Velasquez - Kip Deville - "It was just the wrong way round for him, and he was never tracking comfortably. He was on the wrong lead."
10th - Neil Callan - Pressing - "He travelled well, was fine turning in. He usually has a turn of foot but he was very quiet today."
11th - Christophe Lemaire - Natagora - "No excuses in the run, at least for the moment. She had her head down at the finish, maybe she was just tired."
12th - Garrett Gomez - Awesome Gem - He was lost out there, he was changing his legs, he was confused. He ran OK, but not up to my expectations.
13th - Royston Ffrench - Laa Rayb - "They went very fast as they usually do. It took him time to get going, but by then it was all over."
14th - Mick Kinane - Bullish Cash - "He wasn't able to lie up. They were going too quick for him."
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint - Post Race Reaction
14 December 2008
1st - Darren Beadman - Inspiration - "He jumped into the bridle and I was in the right spot, tracking the favourite, when I pulled him out he sprinted really well."
1st - John Moore -Inspiration - "I only put him in for the run at the last minute. We weren't expecting an invite for him and I thought he was making up the numbers. I'm still pinching myself that we won it. But I guess it shows what can happen when you have a fit horse and a great jockey. Darren gave him the ride of the century. "
2nd - Olivier Doleuze - Green Birdie - "He ran well, but he's a difficult horse to ride. He needs a horse to race with, and I was behind the winner, and the winner didn't crack. I'm looking forward to being on him again when he goes up to a mile in the Stewards' Cup next month."
3rd - Corey Brown - Apache Cat - "No excuses, he hit a flat spot as he always does in his races, but then he ran on again, but just didn't have enough petrol in the tank today."
4th - Douglas Whyte - Enthused - "He ran well, up to his form, but the draw didn't help me, I was working overtime out there."
5th - Brett Prebble - Sunny Power- "He ran super, but the barrier never helped us at all. He needs to get a better position than what he had."
6th - Davy Bonilla - Marchand D'Or - "It's been along year, a break could have made a difference. I have no excuses. He blew up."
7th - Kevin Shea - Mythical Flight - "He ran well but five furlongs is his game. When he got to the last furlong he sort of emptied on me."
8th - Hirofumi Shii - Laurel Guerreiro - "He ran very well, but the level of this sprint was just so high."
9th - Kenichi Ikezoe - Tosho Courage -"He was close to the leaders, but he didn't have the same turn of foot as the winner."
10th - Terence Hellier - Abbadjinn -"He picked up a bit at the end, but he never really got into it, they were going too fast."
11th - Gerald Mosse - Nightlign - "He is a lovely horse, who turned in a really nice effort, and he has twenty lengths improvement in him."
12th - Jim Crowley - Moorhouse Lad - "We thought he was a five-furlong horse and that is what he is, but I enjoyed the experience."
13th - Jumaat Bin Saimee - Waikato - "He went okay but he was very awkward on the bend."
Eagle Mountain winning Hong Kong Cup
(photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club)
The International Day at Sha Tin racetrack in Hong Kong featured four International events. Each race a great example of international racing with very competitive racing and fascinating stories to come from each event.
The first feature was the Hong Kong Vase over 2400m. Doctor Dino was being aimed at back-to-back victories - although there were some doubts as to his form this season after a last start failure in Canada. It was a race run at snails-pace. Australian representative Douro Valley raced just behind the speed - but he is not a horse able to quicken and Darren Beadman could not get him into clear galloping room to force the pace. Likewise the pace should not have suited Purple Moon, who failed in the Japan Cup at his previous start because of getting back in the field in a slowly run race. A pre-race plan was hatched to ride him more forward. It did look like the Melbourne Cup runner-up of 2007 had won this feature race. Doctor Dino had been well back and was charging home very late with Japanese horse Jaguar Mail. In the narrowest of margins Doctor Dino made up the ground with giant strides and arrived just in time - once again denying Luca Cumani a feature Group One victory.
Surprisingly Good Ba Ba would not start favourite for the Hong Kong Mile - this honour going to fellow Hong Kong local in Armada who was heavily supported. And just as he did on Zarkava in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Christophe Soumillon (having his first ride on Good Ba Ba) who would bring Good Ba Ba from a position well back in the field - and finish with a withering Zarkava-like sprint. As is his usual manner, Good Ba Ba ducked in as he sprinted to the line - but he was going so quickly that there would be no opportunity for interference or bump. Good Ba Ba took nearly half of a second off a well established record. Next year Weekend Hussler is set to meet the Hong Kong champion in the feature races of Asia. What a clash that promise to be.
The Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) was won (once again) by a Hong Kong local - even if 67/1 longshot Inspiration was Australian born, and trained by an Australian (Moore); and ridden by an Australian (Beadman). The Australian representative Apache Cat would start odds-on favourite. At the top of the straight Apache Cat once again hit his trademark ‘flat-spot’ and for a moment appeared likely to finish last. But Corey Brown is well aware of this trait and persevered. This time however Apache Cat ran into a bump and traffic as he again mustered his speed - but so quickly was he finishing that he would have won clearly in 50 more metres. Or perhaps won if the pace had been genuine. Apache Cat is at his best in fast run 1200m races - but if the pace is not genuine then he truly excels at distances from 1250m to 1400m. Not disgraced - and a trip to Royal Ascot next year appears a distinct possibility.
My highlight was the win of Eagle Mountain in the Hong Kong Cup over 2000m. Mike de Koch is having great success with horses that have originated in the Ballydoyle yard of Aidan O’Brien. Archipenko to begin with - but Eagle Mountain does appear to be even better again. It was a brilliant ride by Kevin Shea to have Eagle Mountain always in the firing line before taking off on turning when other runners (Viva Pataca in particular) were caught in traffic. But that is also a feature of this versatile horse who can run a record over one mile - then run second behind one of the best stayers in the world over 1 1/2 miles in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. After missing many months of racing after breaking a pelvis, Eagle Mountain has now had 3 starts this campaign for Mike de Kock with brilliant results. He is one of the best horses in the world from 1600m to 2400m.
Below are the comments posted on the Hong Kong Jockey Club website post-race:
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup - Post Race Reaction
14 December 2008
1st - Kevin Shea - Eagle Mountain - "Very thrilled to win this. It didn't go exactly to plan. He was mucking around a bit but turning for home I was happy enough and I pulled him out and then he picked up really well. He's been really good here all week, and I was confident he'd be competitive. We know what it's like to lose; we've been second in the Arlington Million and in the Breeders' Cup - that was a bitter pill to swallow - and we'll know how to celebrate."
1st - Mike de Kock - Eagle Mountain - "I knew he was in a great shape coming into the race. Maybe his injury was a blessing in disguise as he had an enforced rest and the chance to mature. He came here a fresh horse. He ran a massive race in America and has come on again. He'll now go back to Dubai and we'll decide which race to aim him for. I've thought for a while he might be as good as Archipenko and Sun Classique, and after today he may even be better."
2nd - Gerald Mosse - Balius - "You are never satisfied when you finish second, but he's run a good race. I followed the winner through but couldn't close him down. It's the first time I've ridden him, and he's worth getting to know as he has so much heart."
3rd - Ryan Moore - Linngari - "That was a very solid effort, [I'm] delighted with the run."
4th - Darren Beadman - Viva Pataca - "I was hammered at the 1000m mark. We were knocked around from pillar to post."
5th - Christophe Soumillon - Bullish Luck - "I thought I would be second or third, but he didn't see out the 2000 metres as well as I had hoped, but it was an amazing run for a horse that's nearly 10 [years old]."
6th - Anthony Crastus - Loup Breton - "He's given me a good ride, but with 100 metres left he had nothing more to give me."
7th - Garrett Gomez - Out of Control - "That was a good run but his draw in 14 didn't help us. He was very wide but that is the luck of racing."
8th - Douglas Whyte - Sight Winner - "It was the roughest race I've ever ridden in, it was a disaster."
9th - Brett Prebble - HawkesBay - "It was crazy. Worse run race I've ever ridden in."
10th - Ioritz Mendizabal - Trincot - "He ran a good race but soon after turning into the straight I found he could not finish strongly."
11th - Olivier Peslier - Artiste Royale - "It was like an apprentice race - interference all over, and I got no breaks at all."
12th - Zac Purton - Viva Macau - "We led for a bit but only a bit!"
13th - Daniele Porcu - Estejo - "We were in trouble before the home turn."
14th - Kevin Manning - Lush Lashes - "[She's] not very comfortable going into the bend and there was real scrimmaging off the bend but in the end it was not our day and it was just one of those things that happens in racing."
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase - Post Race Reaction
14 December 2008
1 - Richard Gibson - Doctor Dino - "Before anything I want to commiserate with Luca Cumani and Purple Moon for the great race they ran. But the story is about Doctor Dino and he has joined an elite band of horses to win this race twice. He's a very unique, powerful athlete and I am very proud of him."
1 - Olivier Peslier - Doctor Dino - "He moved well down the back straight and being on the outside helped him. He takes a little time to wind up but the horse who came at me on the outside [Jaguar Mail] also helped me. I want to thank the owner and trainer and in particular Eric Gandon who rides him every day."
2 - Jamie Spencer- Purple Moon: "He has done nothing wrong it was a big step up on his effort in Japan. He was the winner everywhere bar the line."
3- Mick Kinane - Jaguar Mail: "He has run a humdinger but he could have done with more pace but there is nothing I could do about that."
4 - Christophe Soumillon - The Bogberry - "It was a good run. He was tapped for toe when they quickened but he ran on well. He will be a nice horse in France next year."
5 - Douglas Whyte - Packing Winner - "It was a really solid run. Great effort, he ran above himself."
6 - William Buick - Buccellati: "He has run a huge race and I was thrilled with him. He was really running on well to get sixth in the end."
7 - Pat Smullen - Muhannak: "He was running on empty when they quickened up. I don't think he is up to this standard."
8 - Eric Saint-Martin - Ambitious General - "I was forced very wide turning for home."
9 - Darren Beadman - Douro Valley - "Had a good run but he might have been a bit outclassed in the finish."
10 - Andreas Suborics - Poseidon Adventure - "There was no pace and when they quickened he was left flat-footed."
11 - Ryan Moore - Mourilyan: "The pace was too steady. It turned into a sprint. He was very keen when they slowed it right down in the back straight."
12 - Declan McDonogh - Mores Wells: "He was nice and relaxed but when I asked him to let down he didn't quite let down on that ground."
13 - Gerald Mosse - Jackpot Delight - "He pulled like hell and I think the horse was a little bit sore."
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile - Post Race Reaction
14 December 2008
1st - Christophe Soumillon - Good Ba Ba - "I'm very happy to have won the race, but I'm feeling sorry for Olivier (Doleuze), but these things happen in racing. I have ridden some horses with a good turn of foot, and maybe he's not Zarkava, but winning this race today for the second time makes him the best miler in the world."
1st - Andreas Schutz - Good Ba Ba - "I knew he was in the same form as last year but to win like that and break the track record was beyond my expectations. I think I'd like to keep him in Hong Kong for the big mile races here next year but we will think about going to Dubai for the Duty Free."
2nd - Darren Beadman - Able One - "The winner was just too good, and maybe my horse was just one run short, but we hadn't been able to squeeze another race into him. Still he has run very well."
3rd - Felix Coetzee - Egyptian Ra - "He's run his usual honest race but the winner was back to his very best."
4th - Olivier Peslier - Spirito Del Vento - "He was a bit cold early on, and I couldn't follow the pace. I was trying to track the winner, but his kick was too much for us.
5th - Yusuke Fujioka - Super Hornet - "He felt lethargic today and he was never comfortable. He didn't answer me at all and couldn't go forward when I asked him to."
6th - Douglas Whyte - Armada - "Very disappointing. He was left flat-footed by the winner."
7th - Weichong Marwing - Joy And Fun - "It was a good run to finish in midfield. He's a nice horse but this class finds him out."
8th - Richard Hughes - Major Cadeaux - "He ran a good, solid race but it was a pity we didn't quite get into the money."
9th - Cornelio Velasquez - Kip Deville - "It was just the wrong way round for him, and he was never tracking comfortably. He was on the wrong lead."
10th - Neil Callan - Pressing - "He travelled well, was fine turning in. He usually has a turn of foot but he was very quiet today."
11th - Christophe Lemaire - Natagora - "No excuses in the run, at least for the moment. She had her head down at the finish, maybe she was just tired."
12th - Garrett Gomez - Awesome Gem - He was lost out there, he was changing his legs, he was confused. He ran OK, but not up to my expectations.
13th - Royston Ffrench - Laa Rayb - "They went very fast as they usually do. It took him time to get going, but by then it was all over."
14th - Mick Kinane - Bullish Cash - "He wasn't able to lie up. They were going too quick for him."
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint - Post Race Reaction
14 December 2008
1st - Darren Beadman - Inspiration - "He jumped into the bridle and I was in the right spot, tracking the favourite, when I pulled him out he sprinted really well."
1st - John Moore -Inspiration - "I only put him in for the run at the last minute. We weren't expecting an invite for him and I thought he was making up the numbers. I'm still pinching myself that we won it. But I guess it shows what can happen when you have a fit horse and a great jockey. Darren gave him the ride of the century. "
2nd - Olivier Doleuze - Green Birdie - "He ran well, but he's a difficult horse to ride. He needs a horse to race with, and I was behind the winner, and the winner didn't crack. I'm looking forward to being on him again when he goes up to a mile in the Stewards' Cup next month."
3rd - Corey Brown - Apache Cat - "No excuses, he hit a flat spot as he always does in his races, but then he ran on again, but just didn't have enough petrol in the tank today."
4th - Douglas Whyte - Enthused - "He ran well, up to his form, but the draw didn't help me, I was working overtime out there."
5th - Brett Prebble - Sunny Power- "He ran super, but the barrier never helped us at all. He needs to get a better position than what he had."
6th - Davy Bonilla - Marchand D'Or - "It's been along year, a break could have made a difference. I have no excuses. He blew up."
7th - Kevin Shea - Mythical Flight - "He ran well but five furlongs is his game. When he got to the last furlong he sort of emptied on me."
8th - Hirofumi Shii - Laurel Guerreiro - "He ran very well, but the level of this sprint was just so high."
9th - Kenichi Ikezoe - Tosho Courage -"He was close to the leaders, but he didn't have the same turn of foot as the winner."
10th - Terence Hellier - Abbadjinn -"He picked up a bit at the end, but he never really got into it, they were going too fast."
11th - Gerald Mosse - Nightlign - "He is a lovely horse, who turned in a really nice effort, and he has twenty lengths improvement in him."
12th - Jim Crowley - Moorhouse Lad - "We thought he was a five-furlong horse and that is what he is, but I enjoyed the experience."
13th - Jumaat Bin Saimee - Waikato - "He went okay but he was very awkward on the bend."
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