Major Upset As Local Outsider Wins Mile

Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:00

In a spectacular surprise, Olympic Express, a Hong Kong-based runner sent away at odds of 48/1, stormed to victory Sunday in the 11th running of the HK$14-million Hong Kong Mile (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Ridden by Weichong Marwing, Olympic Express took the lead 200 metres from home in the field of 13, and withstood the late run of another Hong Kong runner, Electronic Unicorn, who finished second under Robbie Fradd.

Olympic Express's final time for the 1600-metre distance was 1:34.9, and his margin of victory was a neck. Electronic Unicorn was a head better than Japan's Tokai Point, who finished third.

Following in order in the field of 12 were Admire Cozzene, Super Molly, Cayoke, Dupont, Noverre (who was the heavily-backed favourite), Scenic Peak, Tillerman, Grand Delight and Gateman.

For the second time this day, Hong Kong horses were one-two in a Hong Kong International Race - - setting a precedent for local success that many felt was impossible to achieve.

A son of Bishop of Cashel out of the Matsadoon mare, Rachael Tennessee, Olympic Express returned the highest win mutuel in the history of the Hong Kong Mile.

It was the first second International Race win for Marwing, a 32-year-old native of South Africa, who was one of the all-time greats in his homeland prior to journeying to Hong Kong - - where he has now ridden for five years.

Owned by Larry C.K. Yung, Olympic Express is trained by Ivan Allan, who is in his 11th season conditioning Hong Kong runners. "I gave (Olympic Express) a real chance," Allan said. "Even though he had only the one run, he'd had the right work, and he was pleasing me coming into the race."

"Olympic Express came into the race a fresh horse, and he gets the mile well," said Marwing. "He traveled so well for me. I knew I had a great chance entering the straight as I saw I was going better than Super Molly, a horse that was quite fancied. It's incredible, a great feeling."

Media Release - HKIR

Star Japanese Hoop Suspended in Feature

Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:00

Fukunaga was outed for the equivalent of four Hong Kong racedays for his handling of the second favourite Eishin Preston in the International Cup.

The stewards panel, headed by former Aussie stipe John Schreck, found that Yuichi had allowed his mount to shift out when not clear of the warm favourite Grandera, which was being ridden by flamboyant star jumper Frankie Dettori.

Fukunaga's suspension will see him out of the saddle until January 2.

In other news from the stewards room at Sha Tin today brilliant Australian sprinter was found to have bled and pulled up lame. He has been banned for three months.

Scenic Peak Fights Hard for Ninth

Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:00

Following his stablemate Falvelon's third and Mistegic's sixth in the Sprint, he was Australia's last hope of success on the rich international day of action.

Starting at big odds the last start Group One winner of the Emirates Stakes was trapped deep from his wide barrier and despite sticking to his guns throughout the race he lacked his usual fight at the end of the race.

His jockey Danny Nikolic, who experienced a frustrating day at the "office" today, was relatively pleased with the performance.

"He was three deep the entire trip," Nikolic reported. "The effort had to tell and it did."

"It was a really good, tough, honest run," he added.

On the line the Australian hope finished ninth (of twelve) and was just on five lengths from the winner Olympic Express.

There was some joy for Australia at the meeting today. The David Hayes trained All Thrills Too scored a great win in the International Sprint, a race in which Falvelon finished a fighting third.

Godolphin Clean Sweep in World Racing Awards

Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:00

The world's most successful stable proved again they were number one when they swept away with the three awards after the Emirates World Racing Championship ended in Hong Kong today.

Despite not featuring among the points today, the "all blue" team had sufficient points to win the horse, trainer and rider awards.

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor took the champion trainer trophy, while stable hoop Frankie Dettori won leading rider.

Despite finishing out of the place after a luckless run in the Hong Kong International Cup, the Cox Plate placegetter and multiple Group One winner Grandera was crowned the champion galloper, for amassing the most points in eligible races.

Simon Crisford accepted the trophy on behalf of the team for the efforts of Grandera during the year.

Although they won all of the awards, Godolphin were luckless on the track today. Despite saddling up leading chances including Grandera and Ekraar, the stable went home without even a placegetter from the four international events on the Sha Tin card.

Falvelon a Gallant Third in Sprint

Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:00

The Danny Bougoure trained entire tried valiantly back on the inside of the track after getting back further in the field than originally expected.

With champion jockey Damien Oliver riding hard the sprinting sensation made ground over the latter stages, but he was unable to "ping" like the winner All Thrills Too, a member of the David Hayes stable.

Bougoure was again proud of the achievements of his brilliant galloper while Damien Oliver was also more than pleased with the effort.

"He's a year older and maybe 1200 metres suits him better now," Oliver said after unsaddling.

"He is still a great horse, but probably a length below last year's form," Oliver added.

Locals Celebrate Greatest Ever Day in Hong Kong

Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:00

Hong Kong racing enjoyed the greatest day in its 157-year history when three of the four Gr.1 Hong Kong International Races went to home-based horses at Sha Tin today.

Two of the wins were at huge odds as Precision turned the formbook on its head to land the Hong Kong Cup at almost 66/1, while Olympic Express claimed the Hong Kong Mile at 48/1 in a locally trained quinella from Electronic Unicorn.

There was another local one-two in the Hong Kong Sprint as race favourite, All Thrills Too, defeated Firebolt with Australia's Falvelon, who was bidding for a third consecutive win in the race, in third.

The international challengers were eclipsed throughout except in the Vase where France's Ange Gabriel defeated his compatriot Aquarelliste.

Ange Gabriel was campaigned with the Vase in mind all year and he will now be rested before being aimed at the Sheema Classic in Dubai next March and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in July.

Precision's victory in the Cup had jaws dropping after slow pace created a few hard luck stories. Benefiting from a superb Mick Kinane ride, the Anabaa four-year-old, trained by David Oughton, defied Germany's Paolini by a short head. The red-hot favourite, Grandera, was shuffled back to last and pulled hard before failing to get a clear run in the straight in a contest that was clocked almost five seconds over standard. Nevertheless, Grandera was crowned winner of the World Series Racing Championship after racing.

"I had a smooth run on the outside, while everyone else was having a rough time on the rail," Kinane said. "When I asked Precision to quicken he did it very well. I have to admit it is a bit of a surprise, but it's great to finish the season like this."

An ecstatic trainer, David Oughton, said: "This is my first international victory, and it means an awful lot."

Precision was delivering a double franking of the form of the 2002 Hong Kong Derby. He ran second last March 17 to Olympic Express, who, just 40 minutes earlier, stormed to victory in the Hong Kong Mile.

Trained by Ivan Allan and ridden by Weichong Marwing, Olympic Express took the lead 200m from home, and withstood the late run of Electronic Unicorn, runner-up in this race for the second time.

Hong Kong horses were emulating Japan's three from four in the HKIR races in 2001. They had been expected to run well in the Sprint and duly delivered as three of the first four were home based.

All Thrills Too drew out decisively under jockey Gerald Mosse, by one and a half lengths from Firebolt to register a first international victory as a Hong Kong trainer for David Hayes.

"What a day," said Lawrence Wong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Chief Executive, "certainly the greatest days in Hong Kong racing. Quite a good scorecard wasn't it? It's a strong endorsement of the drive to improve the quality of horses here. Wednesday was the first time one of our local jockeys won the International Jockeys' Championship and it set the tone for the rest of the Hong Kong team to follow."  

"We want to stage the Turf World Championships and after today's action, you would have to say that we are absolutely on target," said a delighted Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Club's Executive Director of Racing.

"The replacement strategy brought in two years ago to improve the quality of Hong Kong's has proved successful today. Firebolt and Olympic Express are two horses that have come to Hong Kong under that programme," he added.

Ciaran Kennelly, the HKJC Senior Handicapper, said the Vase was the highest ever rated 2400m event to be staged in Hong Kong ¡V the winner will now be rated just behind the Breeders' Cup Turf winner, High Chaparral.

"When the International Classifications are published next month," Kennelly said, "there will be more Hong Kong horses than ever before, which is great. The International Handicappers rate All Thrills Too's performance to be equal with any horse in the world over 1000m in his age group."

Hong Kong owners netted an extra HK$15.2 million on account of the 50% premium for Hong Kong horses that win internationally.

Attendance was up 8% to 62,030. Turnover was HK$1078.3 million.

Media Release - HKIR

Aussie Star Bleeds in Hong Kong

Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:00

The Strategic gelding, who was heading to the spelling paddock regardless of today's result, has copped the mandatory three month ban.

Should he bleed again he will be barred from racing for life.

Stewards confirmed the gelding bled after a veterinary inspection post-race, which also revealed the gelding had also pulled up lame.

Mistegic's rider Danny Nikolic said the gelding was "bolting" at the 100 metre mark when he seemed to "falter."

It was slightly better news for the champion sprinter Falvelon who pulled up well after his fighting third in the same race.

The International Sprint was won by All Thrills Too, a member of the powerful David Hayes stable.

Today's Trackwork Notes from Sha Tin

Friday, 13 December 2002 00:00

The Japan Cup runner-up has been looking in tip-top shape over the last few days and Drysdale's partner, Sian Duggan, said they were very encouraged with the way their horse had held his form since Japan.

"We are very happy with him," she said. "He is in great shape and coat is in fantastic condition. He did his usual squeal has he came out onto the track and that is a good sign."

David Elsworth was delighted with way his Indian Creek, worked on the turf in his final serious exercise before Sunday's race. Ridden by jockey Richard Quinn, Indian Creek, worked home in 22.7 sec behind Mile hopeful Dupont. Despite the fact Dupont always had the upper hand, Indian Creek's performance lit up Elsworth's face.

"He is a naturally lazy horse so that was a good effort with a miler. I am very, very pleased with him though I am now rather nervous as things are so right, it can only go wrong," he said.

Jimmy Lindley, racing manager to the owner, Seymour Cohn, added: "He doesn't half look well. He has retained that good skin."

Elsworth saddled Lear Spear to finish third to Jim And Tonic in the Cup in 1999 and he puts his son of Indian Ridge in the same bracket.

Japanese challenger Eishin Preston cantered gently at the trotting ring under his exercise rider Kazuo Fujiwara. His trainer Shuji Kitahashi commented on his draw from gate 9: "It doesn't matter to me.  If jockey brings out his ability in the race, the horse will perform well. My horse is so relaxed now. The track suits him and he should act as well as he has here before." Eishin Preston went down to the parade ring after track-work.

Grandera, Paolini, Dano-Mast and Royal Treasure were confined to the trotting ring with their work already done, while Hong Kong's Come See You, Dr More, Cellini, and Housemaster similarly performed light work.

"He has continued to improve in terms condition-wise. I'm hopeful that he is back to his best in the Cup," Ivan Allan said of Housemaster, whose best internationally was being beaten by a just couple of short heads in the 2000 edition of the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup.

Precision did a sharp 22.5 sec under his riding boy and trainer David Oughton is not unhappy with his Cup draw in barrier 13 as he feels his horse races better with a bit of room around him.

Red Pepper worked home in 23.6 sec under Jimmy Ting in a final workout on the sand. "No problem, everything's good but I'm only the trainer," said trainer Brian Kan in his usual understated way. South African jockey Glyn Schofield takes the ride on Red Pepper, who he partnered to win HKGr.3 International Cup Trial on November 24.

Hong Kong Mile (Gr.1-1600m)

Owner Michael House believes that despite the late arrival in Hong Kong of his Mile contender, Cayoke, the horse is primed for a solid effort on Sunday. "He seemed to ship very well, and that's half the battle," House said. "Cayoke had a sharp, seven-furlong work at Hollywood Park a few days before he was shipped here, so he's ready." Cayoke stretched out over a mile on Sha Tin's all weather this morning under his rider Christophe Soumillon. "We'll probably gallop him a mile on Saturday, and jog him on the morning of the race. Christophe knows this horse," said House. "He rode him once as a three-year-old, and has ridden against him in France many times."

House has also been in the thoroughbred business for 31 years, and currently has six horses in training. "We buy 75% of our racing stock in France," he said. "We do a lot of business with Alain de Royer-Dupre." House purchased Cayoke from an Irish partnership in November of this year. Though now American-owned and based, he has never actually raced in the U.S.

"Cayoke's last race was in a Gr.1 at Longchamp and he got beat only two necks into third place," House said. "He prefers firm ground and when we got here on Wednesday night it was raining and I thought, 'Uh-oh, this isn't good,' but the weather's been fine since then and we should have the firm footing we're looking for in the Mile."

Dupont, trained by William Haggas, worked with Cup hope Indian Creek under his jockey Darryll Holland. He led into the straight and quickened especially well, finishing in 22.7 sec. "I was very pleased with him", reported Holland, "he knows his job now he has got back on the grass." Haggas appeared relieved as well as pleased. "The horse is in good shape. All that matters is that he is going into the race in top form and that is all that you can ask for when you travel as far as this. Looking at some of the other horses that are ill, I think we are very lucky. Whether he is good enough is another question all I can say is that I am very happy with his health."

Dupont is a dual classic winner in Europe this year. He won the Gr.2 Premio Pariolo (Italian 2000 Guineas) and the German equivalent. He has had just one try at Gr.1 level when he finished fourth in the St James' Palace Stakes, six lengths behind the great Rock of Gibraltar.

Tokai Point from Yoshiyuki Goto's stable in Japan went half-speed in 27.6 sec on the all weather under his exercise rider Tomohiro Sato this morning.  The six-year-old gelding by Tokai Teio held off Eishin Preston by a neck to earn his first JpnGr.1 victory in the Mile Championship last month last time out. "We are very happy with his condition. We usually work him on the dirt in Japan, so that is the reason why he has not appeared on the turf this week," Goto said. Tokai Point got himself used to the Sha Tin parade ring with a quick look round after his work.

Fellow Japanese invader Admire Cozzene exercised in the trotting ring under regular work rider Yuta Komiyama. According to trainer Mitsuru Hashida, who arrived in Hong Kong on Thursday: "Running in the Mile Championship last time out, the track condition was too firm for him and that seemed to be the reason why he could not show his performance. This horse has come through much adversity in the past and I believe he will run well in the final race of his career on Sunday. He looks to be in good form and I am looking forward to it."

Tillerman lobbed around the all weather under Mark Perrett, husband of trainer Amanda. The horse was another to have to familiarise himself with the Sha Tin paddock yesterday and no problems were reported. As with the other Godolphin runners, Noverre stayed behind in the trotting ring, while the Australian challenger Scenic Peak was confined to a hack canter on the sand. Ridden by Keith Dalgleish, the Mark Johnston-trained Gateman was kept ticking along on the all weather.

Jockey Felix Coetzee was happy with how Jeune King Prawn strode out in a final 25.3 sec exercise and the only other Hong Kong runner to do any pace work of any description was David Hayes' Super Molly, who finished off in 28.9 sec. "I wish we could get on with it and race today," Hayes said. "He's in great shape."

John Size's Mile duo of Electronic Unicorn and Grand Delight were not taxed heavily on the all weather, with the same going for Olympic Express, Ivan Allan's 2002 Hong Kong Derby hero.

Hong Kong Vase (Gr.1-2400m)

The French trio of Aquarelliste, Ange Gabriel and Polish Summer were all out on the all weather. Aquarelliste quickened up off the home turn to finish at three-quarters speed in 25.3 sec. Her compatriots settled for an easy time of it, only lobbing on handily. Bernard Ripert, assistant to Aquarelliste's trainer Elie Lellouche, said: "That was just what we wanted. She's fine, no complaints, has settled in well. We're just looking forward to the race now."

Delta Form, trained in California by Jenine Sahadi, only stretched his legs a little on the all weather to her satisfaction.

Guadalupe did a half-speed workout on the sand, coming home in 27.7 sec, having had the day off yesterday and trainer Peter Schiergen remains content with the condition of his Gr.1 Italian Oaks winner.

Godolphin's Ekraar and the other American runner Falcon Flight stayed in the trotting ring.

Big race jockey Andrasch Starke worked Hong Kong's champion stayer, the Ivan Allan-trained Cheers Hong Kong home in 24.7 sec while his stable companion, the Eric Saint-Martin-partnered Indigenous did a 25.8 sec burst home in his final workout before a sixth consecutive Vase appearance.

Greenmore, trained by Alex Wong Siu-tan, did a slightly easier final 400m under Howard Cheng in 27.5 sec.

Caracoler clocked the fastest time in 22.5 sec under Dwayne Dunn for trainer David Hayes and Rainbow And Gold, trained by Brian Kan Ping-chee came home in 23.6 sec.

Sean Woods' Vase duo of Luckswell and Idol only limbered up gently on the all weather after a much brisker workout on Thursday.

Hong Kong Sprint (Gr.l-1000m)

Malhub was reported as "tight" following his canter yesterday, but there was better news this morning from his trainer John Gosden. "He certainly was a little muscle tight after work yesterday so he just had a walk and a trot today. I am very happy with him. He is on good terms with himself, is loose and moving very freely, we are very much back on course," Gosden said.

The other British sprint hopeful Continent also had a quiet morning in the trotting ring.

All-conquering international trainer Dermot Weld was on hand this morning for the first time to see his filly Agnetha work under Sunday's jockey Pat Smullen, who is here for the winter as a Club Jockey. Smullen knows the filly well having ridden her on five previous occasions this season and said was "in grand form, she liked the ground."

He quickened her up on the grass turning into the straight and she worked at pace over 400m in 27.4 sec. Her only win this season came at Goodwood in the Gr.3 King George Stakes, but she is nothing if not consistent. "We are satisfied with her", reported Weld, "I obviously hope she'll run well. We will decide on her plans for next season after Sunday's race."

Japan's Shonan Kampf worked gently on the all weather under regular work-rider Masao Suzuki before a familiarisation with parade ring. Yokichi Okubo commented: "He showed us a powerful performance yesterday when he did a fast breeze. Everything has been going great so far. But this is the first time to race over 1000m on turf, so I can't tell you how he will act on the straight course."

The other Japanese contender in the Sprint, Believe stayed in the trotting ring. "Yesterday, she clocked in 22.5 for the last two furlongs in a fast breeze, and that was pretty good.  She is very relaxed for her first trip to Hong Kong.  She feels and looks good now," said trainer Shigeki Matsumoto.

Believe also went to paddock to get accustomed to it.

David Hayes said his Hong Kong hopeful All Thrills Too did a satisfactory piece of work in 26 sec earlier in the day and was all set and raring to go, while Ivan Allan is confident of a good run from Firebolt. "He's in good form and this has been the race he has trained for. I think he will run very well."  Firebolt did just routine work on the sand.

Australian sprinters Falvelon and Mistegic had no more than canter work on the all weather track this morning with both horses looking a picture of health.

"All is well. Thankfully we just haven't had any problems with him," reported Falvelon's trainer Dan Bougoure.

Meanwhile, Mistegic continues to improve according to his trainer Lee Curtis. "He's probably gained an average of about three quarters of a kilo each day this week so he's on the up,' he said.

Curtis said that he expected Mistegic to race right on the speed on Sunday. "He can be anywhere in the run but he's fresh and has the blinkers on. And he's drawn well in barrier 4 with a fast horse Anabatik inside him so I expect he will race forward," Curtis said.

Mistegic will certainly attract plenty of interest on Sunday with his truncated tail - the result of a recent misadventure with a tail guard left on overnight after travelling. "If I find the culprit he'll be in trouble," said Curtis, who usually travels his horses himself, with a smile.

Asked whether Mistegic could beat Falvelon, Curtis had both a serious and a light-hearted response. "At home, when they're both at their best, there is not a great deal between them. The staff have been doing phantom calls of the race with it coming down to a photo finish between Mistegic and Falvelon and naturally the camera goes our way," he said.

Zipping's trainer Robert Collet was at the track for the first time and reported that the horse is in good form. "I think this track will suit him - but it is a really hot race. I think there are at least eight in with a chance," he said. Zipping quickened to do 26.5 over the last 400m on the dirt this morning.

Texas Glitter, representing the USA, had a quiet canter on the all weather. Bidding for his 10^th stakes victory on Sunday, the colt by Glitterman will be having his final career start in a race that has been the target for several years.

Back to the Hong Kong horses, Cape Of Good Hope was kept at it with a good 22.5 sec stretch under jockey Douglas Whyte, while the other Hong Kong runner Anabatik just did light work on the sand.

Media Release - HKIR

Mistegic Pulls Up Sore After Sixth Placing

Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:00

The gelding's jockey Danny Nikolic said the gelding had been "bolting" near the 100 metre mark when challenges were being issued by a number of runners including the winner All Thrills Too and fellow Aussie and third placegetter Mistegic.

"He faltered badly at the 100m and pulled up sore on the off fore," Nikolic reported.

"He went from bolting to being gone in a stride," the talented Aussie hoop added.

There was a strong Australian link to the winner. All Thrills Too, an Aussie bred gelding by the ill fated St. Covet, is trained by South Australian horseman David Hayes.

Two New Riding Licences Handed Out for Singapore

Friday, 13 December 2002 00:00

The Club has granted visiting permits to jockeys Jorge Horcajada and Francois Herholdt and at the same time extended the freelance permits of Mark Du Plessis and Alexis Beitia.

Francois Herholdt (pronounced as ‘Fransua Herolt")

South African Francois Herholdt, with 12 years of riding experience, has been credited with 299 winners. Licensed by the Mauritius Turf Club, Herholdt has won several Group and Listed races.

The 28-year-old rider who goes to scale at 51kg, started riding in 1990 and completed his apprenticeship in 1993. He won the Mauritius Jockeys’ Championship in 2001 and finished runner-up in the 2002 season.

Herholdt has also ridden in Dubai, apart from Zimbabwe and Mauritius.

His freelance permit will run from 1 January 2003 to 1 May 2003.

Jorge Horcajada (pronounced as ‘Horhe Okahada’)

Spaniard Jorge Horcajada, 30, is one of the leading riders in Spain and is currently second in the Jockeys’ Premiership.

Licensed by the Jockey Club of Spain, Horcajada who embarked on his riding career in 1991, has racked up 459 winners. In 11 years of riding in Spain, he won the Apprentice title in 1991 – his first year as a rookie and captured the Jockeys’ Premiership in 1992 and 2001.

The 52.5-kg rider has won a number of Listed and Group races, including the 1999 and 2000 Premio Oeomi, the 2001 Premio Certosa and the Group 1 Italian St Leger in 2000 and Group 1 Spanish Derby in 2002.

Horcajada’s freelance permit will run from 1 January 2003 to 1 March 2003.

Mark Du Plessis and Alexis Beitia

The Club has also extended the visiting permit of Zimbabwean Mark Du Plessis till 7 June 2003 while Panamanian Alexis Beitia's permit will run from 1 January 2003 to 1 July 2003.

Media Release - Singapore Turf Club