Sacred Kingdom
February 2nd 2010 05:35
While Nicconi was the next day being lauded for his performance to win the Lightning Stakes, the World (equal) Top Rated Sprinter Sacred Kingdom proved his class yet again when he won the Group One Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong.
Neil Murray was in Hong Kong to capture these photographs of one of his favourite thoroughbreds - Sacred Kingdom. Don't forget to click photograph to see enlargement.
Although the Lightning Stakes attracted a global campaigner in Cannonball - it would have been the inclusion of Sacred Kingdom into the field that would have added another dimension to the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. But it is far too easy for Sacred Kingdom to amass greater prizemoney while contesting easier races in his own backyard.
Surprisingly prizemoney in Australia for sprinters pales in comparison against the high rewards for middle distance and staying events. Considering that Australia breeds sprinters (Sacred Kingdom also being Australian bred) that have few peers it is out of kilter that the prizemoney for sprint winners seems inadequate in comparisons of (home grown) class. The Group One Lightning Stakes - for instance - only carried prizemoney of $500,000, although if history is any guide the winner (Nicconi) is likely to achieve a high status on the international racing stage in 2010.
Many top trainers are now seeding their ranks with highly rated European stayers to plunder the riches of the Melbourne Spring. Our Aqaleem showed the stature and class of European stayers with his brilliant first up win last Saturday at Flemington after 2 1/2 years away from a racetrack after finishing 3rd to Authorized in the 2007 Epsom Derby. Doctor Fremantle is another brilliant stayer now trained in Australia with strong prospects of staying gold when he campaigns. And the Japanese will return again with their brilliant stayers this year after quarantine restrictions have been eased.
The carrot for the stayers is working on the levels of visitation, and importation. But the carrot for the sprinters needs fertilizing and added growth to achieve the same results.
Sacred Kingdom started odds-on favourite in the 1000 metre sprint and ran a quick 55.37 time in winning by three-quarters of a length from stablemate Ultra Fantasy with One World back in third place.
'He's like that - he's a little lazy so I gave him three smacks to keep his mind on his job. He then lengthened good and his ability told in the end. He is the best sprinter in the world, after all." - Brett Prebble, as reported on the HKJC website.
"There are several races he can contest in Singapore, Dubai or even Japan. We shall see how he goes in the Chairman's Sprint Prize before making a decision." - trainer Ricky Yiu, as reported on the HKJC website.
Sacred Kingdom champion sprinter
Brett Prebble bringing Sacred Kingdom back to scale
Sacred Kingdom with winner's sash
Neil Murray was in Hong Kong to capture these photographs of one of his favourite thoroughbreds - Sacred Kingdom. Don't forget to click photograph to see enlargement.
Although the Lightning Stakes attracted a global campaigner in Cannonball - it would have been the inclusion of Sacred Kingdom into the field that would have added another dimension to the first leg of the Global Sprint Challenge. But it is far too easy for Sacred Kingdom to amass greater prizemoney while contesting easier races in his own backyard.
Surprisingly prizemoney in Australia for sprinters pales in comparison against the high rewards for middle distance and staying events. Considering that Australia breeds sprinters (Sacred Kingdom also being Australian bred) that have few peers it is out of kilter that the prizemoney for sprint winners seems inadequate in comparisons of (home grown) class. The Group One Lightning Stakes - for instance - only carried prizemoney of $500,000, although if history is any guide the winner (Nicconi) is likely to achieve a high status on the international racing stage in 2010.
Many top trainers are now seeding their ranks with highly rated European stayers to plunder the riches of the Melbourne Spring. Our Aqaleem showed the stature and class of European stayers with his brilliant first up win last Saturday at Flemington after 2 1/2 years away from a racetrack after finishing 3rd to Authorized in the 2007 Epsom Derby. Doctor Fremantle is another brilliant stayer now trained in Australia with strong prospects of staying gold when he campaigns. And the Japanese will return again with their brilliant stayers this year after quarantine restrictions have been eased.
The carrot for the stayers is working on the levels of visitation, and importation. But the carrot for the sprinters needs fertilizing and added growth to achieve the same results.
Sacred Kingdom started odds-on favourite in the 1000 metre sprint and ran a quick 55.37 time in winning by three-quarters of a length from stablemate Ultra Fantasy with One World back in third place.
'He's like that - he's a little lazy so I gave him three smacks to keep his mind on his job. He then lengthened good and his ability told in the end. He is the best sprinter in the world, after all." - Brett Prebble, as reported on the HKJC website.
"There are several races he can contest in Singapore, Dubai or even Japan. We shall see how he goes in the Chairman's Sprint Prize before making a decision." - trainer Ricky Yiu, as reported on the HKJC website.
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