Olympic Express Strikes Gold at Sha Tin

Monday, 24 February 2003 00:00

On the day Hong Kong's most popular horse and retired champion Fairy King Prawn was paraded for one last time before an adoring public, a potential successor to his mantle emerged as Olympic Express (formerly Ecclesiastical in GB) overcame adversity to take the HK$8million (approx US$1million) Hong Kong Gold Cup (HKGr.1-2000m), the second leg of Hong Kong's Triple Crown series yesterday.

In a pulsating climax, Olympic Express defeated Dr More by a neck, with a neck further back to Elegant Fashion in third.

Owned by Hong Kong Jockey Club steward Larry Yung, the winner's bankroll has now scaled to a stunning HK$31.1 million (approx. US$4 million) after his fourth Group 1 triumph from 11 starts.

Before annexing today's race, Olympic Express had taken the Hong Kong Classic Mile, Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Mile - and few would bet against the five-year-old son of Bishop Of Cashel adding to the haul in the near future, which, according to trainer Ivan Allan, is scheduled to include cracks at the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (Gr.1-2000m), and the Singapore Airlines International Cup (Gr.1-2000m), the second and third legs of the World Series Racing Championship.

Allan, enjoying his second Group 1 winner in successive weekends after Self Flit's Hong Kong Classic Mile success last Sunday, later put Olympic Express' achievements in context.

"He has done very, very well to win today after an interrupted preparation. He had a temperature last week, he was off his feed for two days and two nights and he had to miss a gallop. But he's such a good horse with a tremendous will to win and he always gives his best."

Ridden today by Eric Saint-Martin, deputising for suspended regular pilot Weichong Marwing, Olympic Express, sent off at 5/1, was settled outside runners in midfield before throwing down his challenge at the top of the home straight. He wrested the lead from a tiring Housemaster at the 100 metres and just resisted a never-say-die bid from Dr More, with Elegant Fashion, advertising significant claims for next month's Hong Kong Derby, doing her best work at the finish. 

Housemaster, also representing the Allan/Yung combination, finished fourth and will also be entered for the big race in Singapore on May 17, Allan said.   

On the same card, the pain of Dr More's defeat was eased for trainer John Size and jockey Shane Dye, as the remarkable Century Star story reached new heights as the six-year-old edged out Anabatik to claim the HK$2 million (approx. US$256,000) Silver Lining Handicap (Premier Class-1200m). Century Star was winless from 25 outings prior to making his debut for trainer John Size on March 30 last year. Since then, the Exit To Nowhere gelding has won eight times from 11 starts accumulating HK$5.83 million (approx. US$746,000) for owner Yip Kwok-wai and his most recent two wins have arrived in Premier Class fields.

Media Release - HKJC

Elegant Fashion Among Feature Mile Entries

Monday, 10 February 2003 00:00

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's policy of encouraging owners to import the best available horses to race in Hong Kong is prospering and an unprecedented 32 entries were initially received for the HK$8 million (approx.US$1 million) Hong Kong Classic Mile (HKGr.1-1600m) on February 16 at Sha Tin.

This number, including 13 horses that had won or placed in Stakes Races internationally, has been whittled down to just 14 horses with priority to run along with five reserves.

An additional terms race for four-year-olds over 1600m has been added to the same card to aid the Derby preparation for the 18 horses not selected for the Classic Mile.

A juvenile winner in Ireland, Bowman's Crossing heads the ratings having won his last two races in Hong Kong, including a Premier Class event.

Other prominent contenders include Elegant Fashion, a triple Gr.2 winner in Australia, the runner-up in the Gr.1 AJC Australian Oaks, and recently the winner of her first start in Hong Kong.

The rapidly improving Dynamic Fun, a graduate of the Hong Kong International Sale and trained by John Size, is bidding to make it five wins from as many starts.

Kiddyland, placed in Gr.3 company in France when he raced as Keramani, ought to be competitive, as should Gift, formerly Danavon in New Zealand, runner-up to Bowman's Crossing this season.

The formerly Irish-trained quartet of Jazz Beat (Gr.1 placed in America), Beverly Green (formerly Masani, the winner of the Irish Cambridgeshire), River Dancer (formerly Diaghilev, a Gr.3 winner in France) and Surveyor (formerly Ahsanabad, twice placed in Gr.3 races) are other notable candidates.

Hong Kong Classic Mile
Horse Name	Former Name	Horse No	Trainer
BEVERLY GREEN	Masani (IRE)	C192	D A Hayes
BOWMAN'S CROSSING	Bowmans Crossing (IRE)	B138	D Oughton
DYNAMIC FUN		B281	J Size
ELEGANT FASHION	Elegant Fashion (AUS)	C190	D A Hayes
FANTASY	London Eye (AUS)	B187	K W Lui
GIFT	Danavon (NZ)	B246	J Size
GOLDEN YEARS	Mount Camelback (AUS)	B010	I W Allan
HO CHOI	Ho Choi (GB)	C187	I W Allan
JAZZ BEAT	Jazz Beat (IRE)	C172	L Fownes
KIDDYLAND	Keramani (FR)	C063	S Woods
RIVER DANCER	Diaghilev (IRE)	C109	J Size
SELF FLIT		B322	I W Allan
SURVEYOR	Ahsanabad (IRE)	C159	J Moore
VICTORY WARRIOR	Diamond Spy (AUS)	A338	B K Ng
Reserves
SUPREME RABBIT	Solid Approach (IRE)	C173	A S Cruz
SUPER BLITZ	Superblitz (AUS)	B120	D Cruz
SERIOUS PLAY	Serious Play (IRE)	C003	L Ho
EQUATOR KID	Lord Mason (AUS)	C134	D A Hayes
HIMALAYA	Welenska (GB)	C004	L Fownes

Media Release - HKJC

Walker to Join Prebble in Hong Kong

Saturday, 15 February 2003 00:00

Champion apprentice jockey Michael Walker has secured a prized contract to ride in Hong Kong.

The Taranaki teenager leaves to take up his three-month contract
in a month's time.

Walker is believed to be the first apprentice jockey to ride on
contract in the former colony.

Melbourne jockey Brett Prebble has also gained a three-month Hong Kong contract. Shane Dye, a former star New Zealand apprentice and more recently a high profile Sydney jockey, is currently second on the Hong Kong jockeys' premiership.

Media Release - TNZ

McEvoy a Winner in Dubai

Friday, 07 February 2003 00:00

Victorian jockey Kerrin McEvoy rode the Marju colt Naheef to victory to record Godolphin's first Dubai winner of the year on Thursday night

McEvoy's arrival in the Emirates came through his success in the Emirates Challenge, a competition held between jockeys in the UAE and Australia over the two meetings that made up the One Event Two Racemeetings Alliance between the Dubai Racing Club and Melbourne Racing Club last year.

McEvoy's four winners on Dubai Day at Caulfield secured him his ticket to Dubai and allowed him to renew his association with Godolphin, whom he rode Beekeeper for in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups last Spring.

Media Release - TNZ

Six Month Singapore Extension for Cassidy

Friday, 14 February 2003 00:00

The Singapore Turf Club has extended visiting jockey Larry Cassidy’s local permit for another six months starting from 17 February 2003.

Thirty-two-year-old New Zealander Cassidy started riding here last April and booted home many winners, including a couple of hat-tricks. Last year, he guided SMART BET to win the Emirates Singapore Derby and had a total of 40 winners.

Media Release - Singapore Turf Club

Leading International Names Partner Dubai World Cup

Wednesday, 05 February 2003 00:00

The Dubai World Cup has rapidly established itself as an event where world-class facilities meet world-class horse racing and the calibre and quality for which it is associated is strengthened annually by the valued support of a number of internationally recognised names.

This year is no exception with 22 prestigious partners for the world's richest racemeeting, 20 of which continue their association with the Dubai World Cup.

EMIRATES AIRLINE, award-winning title sponsor of the US$6,000,000 Group I Dubai World Cup, continues their valuable title sponsorship and on racenight Emirates' associates SKYWARDS will again raffle ŒOne Million Skywards Miles' in aid of Riding for the Disabled, while AL MAHA will co-sponsor the increasingly popular"Jaguar to Al Maha" Fashions on the field, for which prizes valued at US$50,000 are available.

DUBAI DUTY FREE retain sponsorship of the US$2,000,000 Group I Dubai Duty Free and their presence on the race night is heightened by the raffle of a Bentley Arnage R, "The Dubai World Cup Finest Surprise" for which 1,800 tickets will be raffled at Dhs500 each.

PORTS, CUSTOMS & FREEZONE CORPORATION recently announced an ambitious Dhs 4.2 billion expansion to the Jebel Ali Port which will be built in four phases for completion in 2020, and will add 30km to Dubai¹s coastline, continue their sponsorship of the US$2,000,000 Group I Dubai Sheema Classic.

GULF NEWS, Official English Newspaper since the inauguration of the event continue sponsorship of the US$2,000,000 Group I Dubai Golden Shaheen and again publish the Official Magazine for the Dubai World Cup.

The recently re-named JEBEL ALI GOLF RESORT & SPA, Official Caterer to the Dubai World Cup, again sponsor the US$1,000,000 Group II Godolphin Mile. Their catering services this year extend to the Arabian Nights Extravaganza, the established Al Dana marquee and, for the first time, the prestigious Corporate Chalets.

EMAAR continues its presence at the Dubai World Cup for 2003, again being the sponsor of the US$250,000 Group I Dubai Kahayla Classic, the world¹s richest race for Purebred Arabians.

"A major part of the success of any event is the support it receives from its sponsors and we are confident that through an impressive number of sponsors this year that the 2002 Dubai World Cup meeting will be the best ever run," said Dubai World Cup Committee Chairman, Les Benton.

"We are extremely to have names that are synonymous with quality continue their partnership with us while we welcome two new names to the event whom we will strive to establish a successful and long term relationship," said Nancy Petch, Dubai Co-Ordination.

The Official Supporter level of sponsorship has been awarded again to three repeat sponsors. african + eastern is again Official Beverage Supplier for all events and functions. BUDGET Rent-A Car, Official Transportation will provide, and co-ordinate a fleet of vehicles to meet the extensive Dubai World Cup requirements in close co-operation with JAGUAR, Official Car for the second consecutive year, will provide the use of 30 S-TYPE vehicles and who will raffle a 2003 model on the racenight.

The popular Official Supporter sponsorship category has this year attracted 13 sponsors, including two new names for 2003, MERCIER GRAY DOBBIE and NAD AL SHEBA CLUB.

AL BAYAN will again be the Official Arabic Newspaper and they are joined by AL FARDAN ARTS & JEWELLERY FACTORY (Official Jeweller), CIRCLE EXHIBITION SERVICES (Official Signage Company), GEARHOUSE Dubai (Official Production Company), HIGHLAND SPRING (Official Mineral Water), HITACHI (Official Television and Video), MERCIER GRAY DOBBIE (Official Design Company), NAD AL SHEBA CLUB (Official Merchandiser), PEPSI (Official Soft Drink), TNT (Official Courier), TATTERSALLS (Sponsor Best Turned Out), WEATHERBYS (Official Sponsor Breakfast With The Stars) while the DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM & COMMERCE MARKETING (Official Press Sponsor) will, for the first time, will host a Heritage Village to portray local culture within the International Village.

"We welcome back all of our established partners, those that have been with us through the rapid rise of the event and also those new for 2002. We appreciate their support and hope this new partnership forms a long and successful association," said Mr Benton.

Media Release - Martin Talty (ERA)

Adelaide's Holland Wins Malaysian Feature

Wednesday, 12 February 2003 00:00

The hot early form of South Australian jockey Darren Holland in Malaysia hit a peak on the weekend when he won the rich Tunku Gold Cup aboard the kiwi bred performer Xtherest.

Holland had only just arrived in Malaysia and had already ridden two winners before winning the 1200 metre feature on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur.

The race carried a purse of 500,000 ringgit, the equivalent of an impressive AUS$222,808.

A son of Kashani, Xtherest had been freshened since his last start win in the 2200 metre Negeri Gold Cup.

On the line Xtherest proved too strong for his classy rivals winning by three parts of a length.

Size and Dye Clean Sweep Sha Tin Features

Tuesday, 04 February 2003 00:00

Trainers Tony Cruz and John Size and jockey Shane Dye dominated the Chinese New Year card with four winners apiece. However, Size and Dye made off with the four most valuable races on the first meeting of the Year of the Goat before a massive holiday crowd of over 90,000 at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley Racetracks when betting turnover reached over HK$1.165 billion.

Grand Delight upstaged better-fancied rivals to claim the first leg of the Champion Sprint Series, the HK$4.5 million Bauhinia Sprint Trophy (Gr.1-1000m) from Firebolt and All Thrills Too, who had finished one-two in the December's Hong Kong Sprint.

Later on, Size and Dye combined to win the HK$2.3 million Centenary Vase (HKGr.3-2000m) with Dr More. Earlier in the day, Century Star had got the ball rolling by taking out the HK$2 million Chinese New Year Cup (Premier Class-1400m) by half a length from Raider. Over the past 12 months, Century Star has proved a tremendous advert for the training abilities of Size, who has campaigned him to win seven from ten starts.

The pair wrapped up the final event of the day when Hong Kong Derby hopeful Dynamic Fun got the better of Visorhill in a rousing climax to the day's events.

The day's highlight event, however, went to Grand Delight, a Gr.1 winner over a mile on his last start in his native Australia before being sold to race in Hong Kong. His first ten starts in Hong Kong were over seven furlongs or a mile, but last month Size dropped Grand Delight back in trip to six furlongs and comfortably claimed the HKGr.3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup from top weight.

Yesterday, the task was stiffer again, dropping further back to the minimum trip and tackling the very best at set weights. Sent off at over 11/1, Grand Delight overcame being inconvenienced upon leaving the gates as Firebolt set a strong early pace with All Thrills Too, Charming City and Speed Lord and Thunder close up. Firebolt was still in front 200 metres from home, but, two lengths further back, Grand Delight was only reaching top gear and he tore to the lead with 50 metres and pull clear by a length at the line to Firebolt, who finished a head in front of All Thrills Too.

Formerly Hong Kong's Champion Jockey and Champion Trainer, Tony Cruz prepared a four-timer of wins with Lucky Paradise, East Ocean Dragon, Super Brose and Medic Corps to move into second place in the Trainers' Premiership, 14 behind Size.

Reigning Champion Jockey Douglas Whyte rode three winners, and holds a three-winner break from Dye at the top of the Jockeys' Premiership.

Media Release - HKJC

Smart Bet the One to Beat in Singapore Feature

Wednesday, 12 February 2003 00:00

The fourth running of the Singapore Group 3 Chairman’s Trophy scheduled for Sunday, 16 February 2003 attracted 10 smart entries. With several topnotch gallopers entered, the $150,000 weight-for-age feature will act as a prelude to the $1 million International Group 3 Singapore Classic on 7 March 2003.

Although BOCELLI, the highest-rated of the lot, takes pride of place, SMART BET, trained by Mohd Yusof and recently crowned Horse of the Year for 2002 should be the one to beat.

The Patrick Busuttin-trained BOCELLI, a champion Four-Year-Old in 2001, has not been successful last season. In contrast, SMART BET won three feature races last year and won this feature in 2001. The five-year-old Australian gelding is fresh from a three-month rest after winning the $1.25 million Singapore Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup last November.

Champion trainer Malcolm Thwaites’ MARCO BOY is one to watch. The five-year-old Australian gelding finished a narrow second to THUNDERAWAY over 1,800m last week.

THUNDERAWAY, trainer Laurie Laxon’s only entry is back in form. The New Zealand-bred’s recent victory in the Open benchmark 97 race displayed his finishing burst which saw him win two other earlier races over 1,649m and 1,800m.

Now that trainer Charles Leck’s KASH IS KING has come to hand, the New Zealand gelding can give his more illustrious rivals a good fight. The six-year-old overcame THUNDERAWAY, BOCELLI and the rest of Class 1 field over 1,800m on 26 January 2003.

The Don Baertschiger-trained MOON SHADOW, who finished a close fifth to STORM RACER in the E W Barker Memorial Trophy over 1,400m, can upset the form book. Prior to that run, the five-year-old Australian horse romped home an easy winner over 1,200m. His seven other victories ranging from 1,200m to 1,600m were very impressive wins.

Other entries with their respective trainers are: KING OF TARA & TYTOLA (Patrick Shaw); YAMAKAWI (Douglas Dragon) and LEAD TO VICTORY (Charles Read).

Inaugurated in 2000, the Chairman’s Trophy was won by OUZO. Last year’s race was won by the Laurie Laxon-trained HOEBERG. Taken out by visiting rider Johnny Geroudis, the New Zealand mare captured the 1,800m feature in a swift 1 min 49.4 sec.

Media Release - Singapore Turf Club

Caddy Cops Six Month Suspension in Malaysia

Monday, 03 February 2003 00:00

Victorian jockey Vincent Caddy has been sensationally suspended for six months after being controversially beaten in a race in Malaysia over the weekend.

Now based in Kuala Lumpur with ex-pat Aussie John Nikolic, the brother of leading Melbourne rider Danny, Caddy was found guilty of dropping his hands and not taking all reasonable chance to win an event on Saturday.

Stewards outed the rider for his handling of the kiwi bred in form performer Disco Master in the Class Two event over 1400 metres. Inglenook was able to grab Disco Master in the final few strides to win by a head.

According to the stewards' report Caddy "pleaded guilty to a charge of negligence under MRA Rule 53 (b) (ii) in that whilst riding Disco Master, he stopped riding for a number of strides passing the 150m mark resulting in his mount losing momentum and thereby jeopardising his chances of winning."

"After taking all the evidence into consideration including the circumstances that led to his negligence and his plea of guilty, the Stewards suspended him for a period of six months with effect from Monday , 3 February 2003," the stewards' report stated.

Caddy had only been riding in the region for about a month when taking his rides on the weekend. He actually scored a winner at his first meeting at Perak on January 11.

PIC - Quentin Lang.