Japanese Hoping for International Repeat
- Friday, 06 December 2002 00:00
The potent Japanese challenge comprises Believe and Shonen Kampf (HK Sprint), Admire Cozzene and Tokai Point (HK Mile) and Eishin Preston (HK Cup) - each one a Gr.1 winner in Japan.
First to the Japanese duo in the Sprint, the sole international race in HK that Japan has yet to win, and to Believe, possibly the most improved filly racing under the Japan Racing Association (JRA) banner.
The 4yo daughter of Sunday Silence made her debut in November 2000 and notched two wins out of eight starts as a 3yo. Plenty stronger physically in 2002, Believe posted two promising runs in Graded company by June of this year before landing two decent prizes during the summer. The improvement carried on into the (JpnGr.3 1200m) Centaur Stakes, when she won by 4 lengths and in the process lowered the Hanshin track record by 0.5 sec to 1min 7.1 sec.
At Niigata Racecourse on September 29, Believe started the even-money favourite to take the (JpnGr.1-1200m) Sprinters Stakes in which 11 went to post. Believe rewarded her followers with a brilliant performance, hitting the front 50m out and holding off the JpnGr.1 winners Shonan Kampf and Admire Cozzene.
Winning jockey Yutaka Take commented after the race: "She got a bit upset in the starting gate, but got a good break. She travelled well and I was impressed with how she rallied through such a narrow opening in the homestretch. This is my first ride on her but she has so much potential and is very gutsy.
Believe was given a breeze over the uphill course for four furlongs at Ritto Training Center in Japan last week after which her trainer Shigeki Trainer noted: "She is in really good condition. She will have easier work-outs at Sha Tin, I expect."
The other Sprint contender from the Land of the Rising Sun is Shonan Kampf. This four-year-old captured three wins in his eight starts last season and, trained by Yokichi Okubo, showed massive improvement to trounce the (JpnGr.1-1200m) Takamatsunomiya Kinen field by 3½ lengths in March on his second outing of the season. After a break, he reappeared in June in the (JpnGr.3-1200m) Hakodate Sprint Stakes as favorite. However, he failed to handle the wet track and finished fourth. Trainer Okubo decided to spell him again and aim him at the JpnGr.1 Sprinters Stakes in September.
When the big race came round, Shonan Kampf broke well and set the speed under jockey Shinji Fujita. Duelling with fellow Sprint rival Believe in the stretch and HK Mile contender, Admire Cozzene, he finished run 3rd, defeated by three-quarters of a length.
Said jockey Fujita after the race: "He likes firm going and today's track was a little bit too cushioned for him. He didn't like it."
Shonan Kampf later demonstrated his good form ahead of Hong Kong, however, by easily winning his last start, the Swan Stakes (JpnGr.2-1400m) by 3 lengths in October.
Tokai Point from Yoshiyuki Goto's stable will challenge for a first international Gr.1 title in the Hong Kong Mile. The six-year-old gelding used to race for Japan's National Association of Racing (NAR) and made his debut race at Morioka in May 1998. Tokai Point switched to Goto¡¦s barn in 1999, but had earned only two wins in 18 starts until late last year when he won three races consecutively and ended up finishing runner-up in the Jpn Gr.3 Kabutoyama Kinen.
This season Tokai Point captured his first Graded stakes success in the JpnGr.2 Nakayama Kinen in a track record time in February. However, he was winless for nine months until lining up for JpnGr.1 Mile Championship at Kyoto in November as 11th in the betting from 18 starters. Yet, he belied his odds with a powerful late performance to defeat Eishin Preston by a neck.
Jockey Masayoshi Ebina later remarked: "I was not worried about his position in the race. I pushed him very hard turning for home and he answered impressively."
"His condition had improved a lot, so I was confident," trainer Goto later said. "He can finish off strongly in his races and jockey brought out this ability very well."
Set to stand at the famed Shadai Stallion Station in 2003, Admire Cozzene gets ready for his final career start in the Hong Kong Mile. Trained by Mitsuru Hashida at the Ritto Training Center, the 6yo grey was the 1998 Champion 2yo colt, but was winless for about three years since lifting the JpnGr.1 Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes in December 1998. After the race, Admire Cozzene fractured both hind legs and was sidelined for 19 months. He has also overcome a series of periosteum problems.
Admire Cozzene has been better than ever this season, however, landing the JpnGr.3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai in January and the JpnGr.3 Hankyu Hai in February before finishing runner-up to Shonan Kampf in the JpnGr.1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in March. He then captured his first JpnGr.1 title in the Yasuda Kinen (1600m) in June, emphatically defeating a couple of Hong Kong-based runners, Red Pepper and Jeune King Prawn, in the process. After three months vacation, he finished second to Believe in the JpnGr.1 Sprinters Stakes after which his jockey Hiroki Goto said: "Actually I did not have any confidence at all today because my horse was too excited beforehand. Finishing second was unexpected."
In his most recent start, the JpnGr.1 Mile Championship, Admire Cozzene started favourite but finished 7th, beaten 2 lengths.
Trainer Mitsuru Hashida said last week: "The mile is his best trip and I think he will like the Sha Tin track."
The best known of the Japanese raiders, Eishin Preston returns to Sha Tin for the Hong Kong Cup. The five-year-old son of Green Dancer earned his first JpnGr.1 title in the 1999 G1 Asahi Hai Sansai Stakes, and his first international Gr.1 triumph was the impressive victory in the Hong Kong Mile last year. The Shuji Kitahashi trained horse finished fifth in the G2 Nakayama Kinen over 1800meters in February as his 2002 seasonal debut before the Audemars Piguet QE Cup in April. Many queried whether the 2000meters at Sha Tin would be too far for him, however his performance was unquestionable as he defeated the reigning Hong Kong Cup champion Agnes Digital by half a length with likely Hong Kong Cup 2002 favourite, Grandera, 2 lengths further back.
Eishin Preston later reappeared in JpnGr.1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m), finishing 5th, and after the four months summer vacation, he was runner-up in the JpnGr.2 Mainichi Okan over 1600m prior to an eighth-placed effort in the G1 Emperor¡¦s Cup (Autumn) over 2000m. Partnered as ever by Yuichi Fukunaga, he lined up for the JpnGr.1 Mile Champioship at Kyoto on November 17th and ran on strongly in the home stretch to finish second by a neck. It is worth remembering that he arrived in Hong Kong last year on the back of an identical result.
All five Japanese horses will depart for Hong Kong on December 8.
Media Release - HKIR
Dupont Replaces Decarchy in Mile
- Friday, 06 December 2002 00:00
Comments on selected horse:
Trained by William Haggas, Dupont is a dual Classic winner in Europe this year. He won the Gr.2 Premio Parioli (1600m, Italian 2000 Guineas equivalent) on May 1, and, 19 days later, landed the Gr.2 Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen (German 2000 Guineas) over a mile in which Next Desert, the subsequent German Derby winner, was beaten 2 lengths into second place.
On his sole crack at Gr.1 level to date, Rock Of Gibraltar beat him by six lengths into fourth place in the St James's Palace Stakes (Gr.1-1600m) at Royal Ascot in June.
Dupont, who has an International Rating of 114, finished one and a half lengths fourth on his only outing since in a Listed Race on the all-weather at Lingfield over 2000m on November 23.
Media Release - HKIR
Frankie Completes Japan Cup Double
- Monday, 25 November 2002 00:00
Italian owned, trained and ridden Falbrav took out last nights
$US4 million Japan Cup at Nakayama in controversial circumstances.Falbrav had to survive a photo finish then a protest from the connections of runner-up Sarafan to claim the international race.
Stewards dismissed claims that Sarafan had been hindered by the winner in a bumping duel as the pair went stride-for-stride over the final stages of the 2200 metre event.
Falbrav, a son of Fairy King, was ridden by champion Italian-born jockey Frankie Dettori.
The win completed a great double for Dettori, who 24 hours earlier had taken the Japan Cup Dirt on the Japanese-owned, American-bred Eagle Cafe (By Gulch).
Third place in the Turf went to local favourite Symboli Kris S, only a neck behind the runner-up.
The main visiting hope, Golan, could manage only seventh, one place behind Hong Kong representative Indigenous.
PIC - Quentin
Lang.
Media Release - TNZ
Texas Glitter Team Hoping for Perfect Farewell
- Tuesday, 03 December 2002 00:00
With a resume that includes nine victories in stakes events, and a quartet of record-setting and record-equalling performances, Texas Glitter is headed for a highly promising career at stud. But the six-year-old son of Glitterman has one more commitment on his schedule before retiring from the races. On Sunday, December 15, he will represent the United States in the HK$10 million Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin.
"We've wanted to bring Texas Glitter to Hong Kong for several years, and now we're getting the opportunity," said trainer Todd Pletcher. In November, Texas Glitter's owners, Dennis Swartz, Mike Ryan, and Vinery Stable, announced the horse would go to William Schettine's DunHill Stud near Reddick, Florida, for the 2003 breeding season.
But first, Texas Glitter will attempt to add one more achievement to his career race record, which includes 36 starts, 11 victories, nine second-place finishes and five third-place finishes, and earnings of U.S.$826,077. Edgar Prado, who will also represent the U.S. in the International Jockeys Championship at Happy Valley on December 11, will ride Texas Glitter at Sha Tin.
Texas Glitter has been a black-type winner every year he has raced. At age two, he won the Huntington Stakes at Aqueduct in New York. At age three, he won the Gr.3 Spectacular Bid Stakes at South Florida's Gulfstream Park.
It was during his four-year-old campaign when Texas Glitter really caught fire. He won the Gr.3 Laurel Dash Stakes at Maryland's Laurel Park, setting a course record for six furlongs on the turf of 1:08 - a standard that has yet to be surpassed.
That same year, Texas Glitter also was triumphant in the William Livingston Stakes at The Meadowlands in New Jersey and the Dayjur Handicap at Southern California's Hollywood Park. This made him a stakes winner on both shores of the continent.
His winning ways continued at age five, when Texas Glitter scored in the Calder Turf Sprint Handicap at South Florida's Calder Race Course. His owners were dearly hoping to close out the 2001 season with an invitation to the Hong Kong Sprint. But the invite went to the previous year's runner-up, Morluc, instead.
On April 13 of this year, Texas Glitter won Gulfstream's Yankee Affair Stakes, setting a course record of 55.68 sec for 1000m on the turf. On October 12, he won Calder Turf Sprint for the second consecutive year, equaling the course record of 54.89 sec for 1000m.
In his most recent start, in the 1100m Gr.3 Hollywood Turf Express Handicap November 29, Texas Glitter was a three-quarter-length winner, equaling the stakes record of 1 min 01.4 sec.
He is now on the grounds at Sha Tin - getting primed for that last, big effort.
However, all of Texas Glitter's races to date have been around left-handed bends and he has yet to tackle anything like the straight 1000m at Sha Tin.
During its brief three-year history, no American horse has won the Hong Kong Sprint. But Morluc twice came very close, missing first place by only a head in 2000, and by only a short head in 2001. Another American horse, Big Jag, was third behind Hong Kong's Fairy King Prawn in the inaugural Sprint in 1999. American horses, therefore, have consistently made an impact in the race.
But Pletcher, Prado, Swartz, Ryan, Vinery, Schettine, et al. want to make more than an impact in this year's Hong Kong Sprint. They are determined to be in the winner's circle.
Texas Glitter's dam, Come on Texas, a daughter of Apalachee, placed three times in stakes during her own racing career. Her paternal grandsire was the great Round Table, and her produce also includes the Grade 3 winner, Mr.John.Bred in Florida (which is somewhat ironic, considering his name), Texas Glitter was purchased by Swartz for $70,000 at the Ocala Breeders' August yearling sale in 1997. The following year, Ryan and Vinery came aboard as co-owners.
With a win in Hong Kong, Texas Glitter would come close to doubling his career earnings. Not a bad way to culminate things, really.
Media Release - HKJC
Hayes Grabs Both Features in Hong Kong Treble
- Sunday, 24 November 2002 00:00
David Hayes' recent hot form in Hong Kong continued today at Sha Tin
when he trained three winners including the two feature Group Three winners.Hayes' day made a positive start when he won the second event on the HK$570,000 Class 4 Handicap with the beautifully bred Planet Ruler.
By the champion sire Danehill, Planet Ruler proved much too good winnning the 1400 metre race by two and a half lengths.
Dashing sprinter All Thrills Too, a son of the former Queensland based sire St Covet, then doubled the Hayes winning tally when he held out a field of talented sprinters in the Group Three Tne International Sprint Trial which carried a purse of HK$2.3 million.
All Thrills Too, and his talented South African jockey Gerald Mosse, were a half length too strong for Cape of Good Hope, while another Aussie bred Anabatik (Anabaa) was a similar margin away in third place.
The other feature event on the card, the HK$2.3 million Chevalier Cup, the second of the Group Three races on the card also fell to a Hayes trained runner.
The consistent Snippets galloper Super Molly proved his outside barrier was no hurdle and then went about making the race his own.
At the end of the 1600 metre feature he had downed the crack field by a length and a half.
Among the beaten brigade were accomplished gallopers Dr More (second), Grand Delight (third) and the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Electronic Unicorn who finished just outisde of the placings.
All three of Hayes' winners were ridden by top class South African jockey Gerald Mosse. Mosse ended the day with four winners after booting home the Danehill galloper Floral Dynamite to win the last.
PIC - Quentin Lang.
Aussie Bred American Star Leads US Charge
- Monday, 02 December 2002 00:00
Delta Form, a six-year-old gelding who campaigns for Team Valor Stable, was triumphant on September 1 in the Del Mar Handicap (G2) in course record time. He has also registered a trio of third-place finishes this season in major stakes events, including the Turf Classic Invitational at New York's Belmont Park in late September and the Hollywood Turf Cup (G1) at Hollywood Park on 23 November.
Falcon Flight, a six-year-old horse owned by Gary Tanaka, was victorious on July 27 in the Arlington Handicap (G3) at Arlington Park. His record this season further includes a second-place finish in the Canadian International Stakes (G1) at Woodbine in late September, and a solid, third-place effort in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Arlington on 26 October.
Both competitors tend to save their best strides for the final furlongs of their races, which should serve them well at Sha Tin. Both are also well travelled. Delta Form, bred in Australia, spent his initial pair of race campaigns in South Africa, where he was a multiple stakes winner. Falcon Flight, bred in France, did not race at two, but won the Prix Hocquart (G2) at Chantilly at three.
Purchased by Barry Irwin and his Team Valor partners prior to his five-year-old campaign, Delta Form was shipped to the United States and entrusted to trainer Jenine Sahadi and he quickly rewarded his believers, winning Santa Anita's Henry P. Russell Handicap in his second outing on American shores.
His standard-setting performance in this year's Del Mar Handicap may have been the biggest highlight of that track's 2002 season. In eighth position early on and fourth with just a furlong remaining, Delta Form charged furiously under jockey Goncolino Almeida to prevail by a neck in a time of 2:12.15 for the 2200m distance. Purchased privately by Tanaka at the culmination of his three-year-old campaign, Falcon Flight was brought to the U.S.A and put in the barn of trainer Ben Cecil, who is Sahadi's husband.
Under Cecil's care, Falcon Flight won the 2000 edition of Santa Anita's El Rincon Handicap (G2), and placed in two other turf stakes, including the Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs.
In the spring of 2001, though, Tanaka transferred Falcon Flight to the barn of trainer Donald Burke II. Falcon Flight responded to the switch with a triumph in that year's Stars and Stripes Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3) at Arlington.
While Falcon Flight hasn't won anywhere other than the Arlington course during the past two seasons, he has performed stoutly in every start he was made. Under jockey Pat Valenzuela, Falcon Flight was undeniably closing ground on the one-two finishers, High Chaparral (Ire) and With Anticipation, in the final metres of the Breeders' Cup Turf.
Marscay (Aus), the sire of Delta Form, was a Group 1 winner in Australia. Delta Form's dam, Arborea (Aus), a daughter of Imperial Prince, was a multiple Group 1 winner in her homeland.
Falcon Flight's sire, Persian Bold (Ire), was a Group 2 and Group 3 winner in England. Falcon Flight's dam, Flying Circus, a daughter of Gay Mecene, has also produced the Group 2 winner, Flyway (Fr), and the multiple stakes winner, Felon (Ire).
Proven records, proven pedigrees - - every quality
necessary for
international competition is there for the U.S. horses invited to this
year's Hong Kong Vase.
Media Release - HKJC
American Jockey Banned and Fined After Tastless Act
- Saturday, 23 November 2002 00:00
Victor Carrero was slapped with a fine of $2,000 and outed for 15 days after an incident in which he threw his whip and a handful of dirt at Saltaat, who broke down shortly after finishing fifth in the second event.
A son of Faltaat, Saltaat suffered a fractured cannon bone and was euthanised on the track.
Carrero, who was uninjured in the fall, issued a written statement through his manager Jose Morales apologising to all of the concerned parties.
"I apologise for my actions following the second race Thursday, November 21 at Aqueduct," Carrero said.
"I conducted myself in an unprofessional manner and I deeply regret what I did. After meeting with stewards, I was given a suspension and a fine, which I will not appeal."
"I apologise to Deborah Bodner, the owner and trainer of Saltaat. I apologise to my fellow jockeys, the owners and the trainers. I apologise to all racing fans that witness my actions."
"I will conduct myself in a professional manner from this moment on," he concluded.
Sadler Grabs First Feature of Dubai Season in Winning Treble
- Friday, 29 November 2002 00:00
A third attempt on the US$6,000,000 Group I Dubai World Cup is the ultimate aim however connections feel his rating of 108 would need to increase for him to secure an invitation for the world's richest race.
He went into the Umm El Dummin on a mark of 108 but despite his impressive performance to defeat West Order and stablemate Sobieski, it is unlikely that State Shinto will be raised from his present level.
Irrespective, trainer John Sadler will now rest the entire before discussing future plans with the horse's owner Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. State Shinto won in a manner expected by the majority however it wasn't without its moments before he got the better of West Order and Sobieski at the 200m mark before going on to win by two and a half lengths.
"I was a little concerned at around the 400m when Ted let him down, he may have hit a bit of a flat spot," Sadler said.
"He is probably looking for 2,000m now but I did like the way he went to the line."
"The horse will have a break and hopefully we will be able to set him for the Dubai World Cup."
State Shinto was the third leg of a winning quartet for the season's leading owner Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, successful earlier in the programme with the Purebred Arabian Big Easy and Night Prey before winning the final event with Northern Rock. State Shinto's win was also the middle leg of a first treble for Sadler, the trainer producing the impressive debutante Ammunition earlier in the night to provide new stable jockey John Murtagh with his second win in as many meetings, while he also saddled Northern Rock.
Seattle Fitz, one of the two horses purchased by leading American Syndication group West Point Thoroughbreds, was extremely impressive when racing away with the Al Nakhlee Prep.
The performance was such that Seattle Fitz clearly put his name forward as the horse to beat in the forthcoming Dhs350,000 Al Nakhlee and looking further afield to the Pearls of Dubai International Sales Graduate Stakes. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin also warned not to forget the US$2,000,000 Group II UAE Derby on March 29, such is the esteem in which he holds the horse. Seattle Fitz was the equal top priced lot of the Pearls of Dubai International Sale in October at Dhs500,000, the other West Point Thoroughbreds purchase being Alocadito, narrowly beaten on his debut a week ago.
"Full marks to West Point Thoroughbreds because they took the chance to come here and buy from the sale, they outlaid close to Dhs1,000,000 and they have two very nice horses," McLaughlin said.
"This horse is very good, he is a very good mover and will come on a great deal for this and be even better as the races get longer."
Dreadlock, the other top priced lot from the Pearls of Dubai International Sale, looked set to finish third to Seattle Fitz but suffered interference at the 200m and lost his rider Chris Taylor. Taylor was uninjured and walked back to the jockeys' room.
The evening's sponsor, the Dubai Sports Channel, also hosted a competition for the jockeys on a points scoring system with Ted Durcan winning with 44 points.
NAD AL SHEBA - results for thoroughbreds
Thursday, November 28, 2002
Weather: Fine. Dirt. Track: Fast. Turf Track: Good
Key: The figures beside the race conditions (ie 00-80) are for horses rated in that division and these figures are in pounds. The UAE Dirham (Dhs) is fixed at US$3.68. All races on dirt unless stated.
Race Two. Thoroughbreds. 1,200m. NH & SH 3YOs & Up Maiden. Prizemoney: Dhs55,000. 1st: Dhs27,500. 2nd: Dhs13,200. 3rd: Dhs7,700. 4th: Dhs4,950. 5th: Dhs1,650.
1. AMMUNITION (USA) 59kg
1999 ch g Zafonic - Red Slippers (Nureyev)
Owner: Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Darley Stud Management LLC
Trainer: J Sadler.
Jockey: J Murtagh.
2. MAWAHEB (USA) 59kg
1998 ch c Gone West - City Dance (Seattle Slew)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Gilman Investment Co
Trainer: S Seemar.
Jockey: W Smith.
3. EARLY ASSAULT (AUS) 59kg
1997 b g Danewin - Rangiora (Greenwood)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Emirates Park Pty Ltd
Trainer: P Brette.
Jockey: T Durcan.
Then came (in order): Rayah (FR), Doc Brook (USA), Erzurum (FR), Rednap (USA), Kentucky Glitter (USA), The Builder (SAF), Seven Emperors (IRE), Al Muntasir (AUS), Rose Briar (AUS), Master Opus (GB), Lite Rust (USA), Guardian (GB), School Spirit (USA). Inbetwixt (USA), Bates B'gosh (USA). 16 ran. Margins: 3.25len, 2len, 5len. Time: 1:12.07 (Last 800m: 47.40).
Race Three. Thoroughbreds. 1,200m. NH & SH 3YOs & Up 50-80. Prizemoney: Dhs75,000. 1st: Dhs37,500. 2nd: Dhs18,000. 3rd: Dhs10,500. 4th: Dhs6,750. 5th: Dhs2,250.
1. OUTPOKER (USA) 57.5kg
1999 b c Outflanker - Lake Virginia (Runaway Groom)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Betty King
Trainer: P Rudkin.
Jockey: R Hills.
2. FLOWER STATE (GB) 55kg
1996 b g Sabrehill - Flower Arrangement (Lomond)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Mrs R D Peacock
Trainer: E Charpy.
Jockey: T Durcan.
3. TALA YA (USA) 51 carr 51.5kg
1998 ch c Storm Bird - Fly To The Moon (Blushing Groom)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Gainsborough Farm Inc
Trainer: M Al Kurdi.
Jockey: S Hamel
Then came (in order): Raging Creek (USA), Calling The Shots (GB), Royal Dance (USA), Tangram (IRE), Afreet (GB), Pacific (USA), Xaloc Bay (IRE), Dr Quackenbush (USA), Aquitania (GB), Holy Pole (USA), Siglo (ARG), Regal Chad (USA), Archive (USA). N/R: Mustafhel (GB), Khafaaq (GB). 16 ran. Margins: Hd, .75len, 2.25len. Time: 1:12.38 (Last 800m: 48.10).
Race Four. Thoroughbreds. 2,400m. NH & SH 3YOs & Up 75-100. Prizemoney: Dhs105,000. 1st: Dhs52,500. 2nd: Dhs25,200. 3rd: Dhs14,700. 4th: Dhs9,450. 5th: Dhs3,150.
1. NIGHT PREY (USA) 51kg
1999 ch c Jade Hunter - Sky Ninski (Nijinsky)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Allen E Paulson
Trainer: S Seemar.
Jockey: A Whelan.
2. ARABIAN (GB) 52.5kg
1994 ch h Arazi - Bustara (Busted)
Owner: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Trainer: P Rudkin.
Jockey: W Supple.
3. SHAALAYN (GB) 55.5kg
1996 b h In The Wings - Maid Of Kashmir (Dancing Brave)
Owner: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Trainer: A Smith.
Jockey: G Hind.
Then came (in order): Mojalid (GB), Clodion (IRE), Rasmussen (IRE), Ocean Of Storms (IRE), Broche (USA), Nadeem (IRE), Nooshman (USA), Class Leader (USA), Resplendent Star (IRE). 12 ran. Margins: .5len, 2.75len, 1.25len. Time: 2:32.70 (Last 800m: 52.06).
Race Five. Thoroughbreds. Al Nakhlee Prep. 1,600m. NH 2YOs & SH 3YOs. Conds. Prizemoney: Dhs125,000. 1st: Dhs62,500. 2nd: Dhs30,000. 3rd: Dhs17,500. 4th: Dhs11,250. 5th: Dhs3,750.
1. SEATTLE FITZ (ARG) 58kg
1999 b c Fitzcarraldo - Hug a Slew (Seattle Slew)
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Abolengo
Trainer: K McLaughlin.
Jockey: W Supple.
2. COUNTYKAT (IRE) 54.5kg
2000 b g Woodborough - Kitty Kildare (Seattle Dancer)
Owner: Ian Russell & E M Burke
Breeder: Ballyhane Stud
Trainer: K Burke.
Jockey: D Williams.
3. RIVER CELEBRE (IRE) 54.5 carr 52.
2000 ch c Peintre Celebre - Diavolina (Lear Fan)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Lady Richard Wellesley and Grange Nominees
Trainer: S Seemar.
Jockey: M Hussey.
Then came (in order): He's Due (USA), Maroc (BRZ), Bo Bid (USA), Grand Eastern (USA), Estefzazi (ARG), El Layth (IRE), Eddington (ARG). Dreadlock (ARG) [Lost Rider]. 11 ran. Margins: 7len, 7.5len, .5len. Time: 1:38.65 (Last 800m: 51.05).
Race Six. Umm El Dummin (Prestige) 1,800m. Thoroughbreds. NH & SH 3YOs & Up. Prizemoney: Dhs350,000. 1st: 210,000. 2nd: Dhs70,000. 3rd: Dhs35,000. 4th: Dhs17,500. 5th: Dhs10,500. 6th: Dhs7,000.
1. STATE SHINTO (USA) 58kg
1996 dk b/br h Pleasant Colony - Sha Tha (Mr Prospector)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Darley Stud Management Inc
Trainer: J Sadler.
Jockey: T Durcan.
2. WEST ORDER (USA) 58kg
1998 ch c Gone West - Irish Order (Irish River)
Owner: Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum
Breeder: Haras du Mezerey
Trainer: S Seemar.
Jockey: W Smith.
3. SOBIESKI (IRE) 58kg
1997 b h Polish Precedent - Game Plan (Darshaan)
Owner: Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Trainer: J Sadler.
Jockey: J Murtagh.
Then came (in order): Muthaaber (GB), Alunite (USA), Elghani (GB). 6 ran. Margins: 2.5len, 2.25len, 2len. Time: 1:50.54 (Last 800m: 47.74).
Comment: Yet another impressive performance by STATE SHINTO whose next major aim is dependent on the ERA handicapper. Connections ideally would wish for another tilt at the Dubai World Cup however his rating of 108 needs to be increased. Nevertheless it is certain that STATE SHINTO will be in action on Dubai World Cup day, in what race is still to be decided. Impressive on his return when easily accounting for WEST ORDER, he again proved too good for that horse and was given a sterner test in this, running eighth tenths of a second faster time than the Prep race three weeks ago. His final 800m was also a good second faster than that recorded in the Prep race. There is no doubt that this is a horse of quality and he has won three of his only four starts under the care of trainer John Sadler, his only defeat coming with his fourth behind Captain Steve in the 2001 Dubai World Cup. Again allowed to settle back in the small field, STATE SHINTO appreciated the speed set by stablemate SOBIESKI, coming to the outside at the 400m when asked for his effort. WEST ORDER was having a struggle to get past SOBIESKI and STATE SHINTO took a little time to get into full stride however he had the race in his keeping at the 200m to go away and win with authority. The impressive part of this performance was his final 200m (12.34) and he may be looking for further now. WEST ORDER again ran well to finish second and SOBIESKI held on well to finish third and there are races for both the second and third.
Race Seven. Thoroughbreds. NH & SH 3YOs & Up 60-90. Prizemoney: Dhs85,000. 1st: Dhs42,500. 2nd: Dhs20,400. 3rd: Dhs11,900. 4th: Dhs7,650. 5th: Dhs2,550.
1. NORTHERN ROCK (JPN) 60kg
1998 ch g Northern Taste - Special Jade (Cox's Ridge)
Owner: Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum
Breeder: Northern Farm
Trainer: J Sadler.
Jockey: W Smith.
2. MR SENA (ARG) 51.5kg
1998 b g Numerous - Speediness (Etienne Gerard)
Owner: The Lamprell Partnership
Breeder: Firmamento
Trainer: S Seemar.
Jockey: A Whelan.
3. SHATHER (IRE) 59kg
1997 b/br g Goofalik - Western Pride (Priamos)
Owner: Ziad Galadari
Breeder: Galadari Sons Stud Co Ltd
Trainer: E Charpy. Jockey: S Sanders.
Then came (in order): Speedfit Too (IRE), Afghan (USA), Indian Dreamer (IRE), Meshty (IRE), Almandab (IRE), Raheibb (IRE), Persuasivo Fitz (ARG), Kameynn (IRE), Dubai Honor (GB), Francal (FR), Asha'th (GB), Rap Dancer (USA), Hobb Alwahtan (GB). N/R Cable Media Boy (IRE)16 ran. Margins: 2.25len, 1.75len, 2len. Time: 1:31.43 (Last 800m: 49.45).
Media Release - Martin Talty (ERA)
Thirty Six Aussies Enter for Dubai Riches
- Wednesday, 20 November 2002 00:00
Dubai World Cup Committee Chairman, Mr Les Benton, expressed his delight at both the quality and quantity of the first nomination pointing to the increases in many areas in comparisons to previous years.
Champions from around the world are included in the first nomination, among them AZERI and VOLPONI from the United States as well as Australian superstar NORTHERLY.
Since the first nomination system opened to all races on the programme in 2001, each year has seen a continual increase and that has carried through to 2003 with the 810 first nominations being approximately 11% higher than for the corresponding stage last year and an increase of approximately 18% on the figure for the 2001 meeting.
"The quality and the quantity of the first nomination for the 2003 Dubai World Cup meeting emphasises the increasing popularity of the programme throughout the world," said Mr Benton.
"The Dubai World Cup has become the Olympic Games of horse racing and with 23 individual countries having representation in the first nomination it certainly appears that the depth and quality of the international presence at the meeting will be of its usual high standard."
The US$6,000,000 Group I Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, received a total of 114 nominations, a 22% increase on that returned 12 months ago, a trend that is seen across all Group I events on the programme.
The nomination for the US$2,000,000 Group I Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free is up 10%, the US$2,000,000 Group I Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News has risen 19% and the there is a 13% increase for the US$2,000,000 Group I Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation.
The nomination from the United States is particularly strong, AZERI, favoured for 2002 Horse of the Year honours in America, is included alongside VOLPONI and MEDAGLIA D'ORO, first and second in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Classic, as well as the 2002 Belmont Stakes winner SARAVA.
NAYEF, WHERE OR WHEN and the outstanding French filly AQUARELLISTE headline an impressive nomination from Europe, South Africa's representation is headed by the champion filly IPI TOMBE and from Australasia there is the Caulfield Cup and dual W.S. Cox Plate winner NORTHERLY, DEFIER, LONHRO as well as Victoria Derby winner HELENUS.
"The quantity of the Dubai World Cup first nomination
is pleasing however it is the quality that is most impressive," said Mr Benton,
"A number of connections have already declared their intentions to come and we will
be pleased to welcome them."
"Last year was the first time the Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Sheema Classic and the Dubai
Golden Shaheen were run at Group I level and looking at the strength of nomination in all
of these events they are firmly established throughout the world as races of the highest
quality."
"The quality of the first nomination is also evident with the very best that remain
in training for 2003 and we will be doing our utmost to ensure that those that are able to
compete do so at Nad Al Sheba on March 29, 2003."
"The Japan Cup and the Hong Kong International events are still to be run and we will
be watching these closely to ensure that horses that compete well there are enticed to
Dubai next year."
"I would also like to pay tribute to all of our agents around the world who have
worked tirelessly to secure these first nominations and the quality of the horses entered
is a tribute and reward to their efforts," said Mr Benton.
A full list of nominations for all races on Dubai World Cup Day can be found at the Dubai
World Cup website, www.dubaiworldcup.com.
Breakdown of Dubai World Cup first entry
------ In total ------
2003 2002 2001
Entries 810 720 664
Countries 23 22 22
------ By race ------
2003 2002 2001
Dubai World Cup 114 89 81
Dubai Duty Free 146 131 125
Dubai Golden Shaheen 115 93 116
Dubai Sheema Classic 127 110 103
UAE Derby 126 105 91
Godolphin Mile 139 145 117
Dubai Kahayla Classic 43 50 30
Total 810 720 664
------ By country ------
Argentina 15
Australia 36
Brazil 5
Chile 5
France 23
England 53
Germany 7
Hong Kong 12
Ireland 9
Italy 4
Japan 17
Saudi Arabia 16
Macau 7
Oman 3
Qatar 15
Singapore 6
South Africa 5
Spain 2
Sweden 4
Tunisia 1
United Arab Emirates 190
United States 375
Media Release - Martin Talty (ERA)
All Star Cast for Hong Kong Races
- Thursday, 28 November 2002 00:00
A total of 37 international horses, including 18 individual Gr.1 winners from 11 different racing jurisdictions, have been selected to participate in the third richest day in horseracing. Notable among the selections are the following:
- Grandera, a triple Gr.1 winner in 2002, who will be crowned the winner of the World Series Racing Championship after the Hong Kong Cup.
- Domedriver, the first reigning Breeders' Cup champion to race in Hong Kong.
- Eishin Preston, who won both the Hong Kong Mile and Audemars Piguet QEII Cup last season.
- Aquarelliste, a Classic winner, triple Gr.1 winner and Prix de l'Arc runner-up.
- Sarafan, a Gr.1 winner denied victory by a nose in the Japan Cup last weekend.
- Continent, Malhub, Falvelon and Mistegic - winners of Gr.1 sprints in England, France and Australia in 2002.
- Participation for the first time for horses from Denmark with the Gr.2 winner Dano-Mast; from Italy, the very speedy Slap Shot; and from Macau, Royal Treasure, winner of the 2002 Macau Derby.
The Hong Kong Cup (Gr.1 - 2000m - US$2.3 million)
The richest race in the world on turf over 2000m and the final leg of the World Series Racing Championship. Fantastic Light was crowned World Champion in this race in 2000, and Agnes Digital won for Japan last year. Nine of this year's field, comprising five Gr.1 winners, are from overseas.
Holding an unassailable lead in the World Series Racing Championship on 32 points, Grandera is already in Hong Kong preparing to underline his pre-eminence in international competition in 2002. He has won World Series races in Singapore and Ireland and earned points in Hong Kong, Australia and England, and also won the Gr.1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot by five lengths. Had he not ended up on the wrong side of a short head verdict in the Arlington Million and suffered defeat by a nose in the Japan Cup last Sunday, Sarafan would be vying for top WSRC honours with Grandera. He did, however, win the Gr.1 Eddie Read Handicap at Del Mar. Sarafan's trainer Neil Drysdale, inducted into the American racing's Hall of Fame in 2000, will be doubly represented in the Cup as the dual Gr.1 scorer White Heart has also been selected. Japanese star Eishin Preston became the first horse to win a HKIR event (the 2001 Hong Kong Mile) and follow it up with success in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup last season. He arrives in Hong Kong in good form, having finished second in Japan's Mile Championship last time out.
Indian Creek and Ulundi represent Great Britain. Both have registered black-type victories this year and run well in Gr.1 races. Both have also been prepared specifically with this race in mind.
A dual Gr.1 scorer representing Germany, Paolini has been a relentless international campaigner, although he is making his first visit to Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Dano-Mast is a rare Scandinavian HKIR participant. The Danish-trained contender won the Gr.2 Prix Dollar on Arc weekend in Longchamp, in which the subsequent Japan Cup Dirt winner Eagle Cafe finished third. The Macau selection is Royal Treasure, a Gr.2 winner in Australia at three years and the winner of the 2002 Macau Derby over 1800m last April.
The Hong Kong contingent is headed by Red Pepper, successful at Gr.1 level over a mile in HK, and the winner of the most important local lead-up race for this race, HKGr.3 International Cup Trial on November 16. Dr More has been a model of consistency this season and he was the runner-up to Red Pepper in the International Cup Trial and to Super Molly in the HKGr.3 Chevalier Cup over 1600m at the weekend. Precision and Housemaster, runners-up in the Hong Kong Derby in 2002 and 2000 respectively, will also take their chance. Precision finished third in the International Cup Trial 11 days ago and, having made a good recovery from injury, Housemaster is coming back to the kind of form that saw him defeated by only a short head in the AP QEII Cup in 2000. Come See You, runner-up in the HKGr.2 Queen Mother Memorial Cup last June, completes the line-up.
The Hong Kong Mile (Gr.1 ¡V 1600m ¡V US$1.8 million)
The Mile is the world's richest international mile event. Eishin Preston won last year for Japan by over three lengths. In 2002, there are 10 overseas contenders, five of whom have already won at the highest level.
Domedriver is bidding to become the first Breeders' Cup-Hong Kong Mile winner. The French-trained horse memorably lowered the colours of Rock Of Gibraltar, the winner of seven straight Gr.1 races, in the Breeders' Cup Mile last month, and he is the highest rated runner in the field.
Godolphin send Gr.1 winner Noverre into battle for the last time before he embarks on a stud career, while the British-trained trio of Nayyir, Tillerman and Gateman, each one a Pattern Race victor in 2002, are sure to make their presence felt.
The two-pronged American challenge in the Mile couples Decarchy, a Gr.2 winner prepared by Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, and Darrell Vienna's Nuclear Debate, making his fourth trip to Hong Kong, this time stepping-up to the Mile having contested the Sprint each year since 1999.
Japan's most in-form milers Admire Cozzene, who landed the Yasuda Kinen in June, and Tokai Point, the winner of the Mile Championship last month, will start, as will the recent Gr.1 Emirates Stakes winner from Australia, Scenic Peak.
Horse of the Year Electronic Unicorn heads the Hong Kong quartet. He was runner-up to Eishin Preston in this race last year. Also selected is Super Molly, the winner of his last two starts, both at HKGr.3 level, including the Chevalier Cup in which Electronic Unicorn finished fourth. As well as 'The Unicorn,' champion trainer John Size will saddle Grand Delight, the winner of the Gr.1 Emirates Stakes at Flemington in 2001, and third behind Super Molly in the Chevalier Cup on November 24. Ivan Allan's Olympic Express, victorious in two HKGr.1 events last year in the Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Classic Mile, will also take his chance.
The Hong Kong Vase (Gr.1 ¡V 2400m - US$1.8 million)
One of the richest 2400m races in the world, Japan's Stay Gold pipped Ekraar in a terrific climax to last year's race. Four Gr.1 winners are among the eight horses chosen from overseas for this year.
French Classic winner and triple Gr.1 winning heroine Aquarelliste heads the Vase field. One of the leading 2400m performers in Europe both this season and last, Aquarelliste was beaten two lengths in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe into sixth place on October 6 and was runner-up in the same race to Sakhee last year.
The French bid for glory is augmented by the presence of Ange Gabriel, the winner of Gr.1 and Gr.2 races on his last runs and Polish Summer, successful in Gr.2 Grand Prix de Deauville in August.
American-based Falcon Flight will line up having finished placed in two legs of the World Series Racing Championship this autumn. He ran second in the Canadian International and was third in the Breeders' Cup Turf on his latest outing. The other American runner is Delta Form, formerly the winner of the Summer Handicap, Africa's richest race, and the Gr.2 Del Mar Handicap on September 1.
Godolphin again relies on Ekraar in this race. The Dubai-based team will be hoping he can go one better this year after Stay Gold caught him on the line last year. He has been trained with this race in mind all season. Mubtaker flies the flag for Britain with connections hoping he can maintain his fine record of finishing placed with every career start. The German-trained winner of this year's Gr.1 Italian Oaks, Guadalupe finished second, a length ahead of Ekraar in another Italian Gr.1 last time out, and she may take plenty of beating.
Leading the home team, the remarkable Indigenous has been selected to contest a sixth straight Hong Kong Vase. The winner of this race in 1998, he has finished fourth on three occasions and last year he ran third to Stay Gold. Helene Vitality is set to make his third Vase appearance. The best international performance by David Hayes' gelding in 2002 was a fine runners-up berth behind Nayef in the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic last March. Champion Stayer by virtue of his HKGr.1 Champions & Chater Cup success in May, Cheers Hong Kong is a more than useful recruit to the home defence along with former Hong Kong Gold Cup winner, Idol, and the stayers Greenmore and Luckswell.
The Hong Kong Sprint (Gr. 1 - 1000m - US$1.28 million)
Newly upgraded to Group 1 status and with a purse accordingly boosted to $1.28 million, the Sprint is the richest race in the world over 1000m. Fairy King Prawn landed the inaugural HK Sprint in 1999 for Hong Kong with Falvelon winning in 2000 and 2001. Ten foreign sprinters, including four Gr.1 winners, will travel to Hong Kong for the race.
This was the only race Japan failed to win at the HKIR 2001, and it seems the Japanese are very keen to annexe this prize in 2002 with the lightning-fast filly Believe among the highest-rated overseas contenders. In addition to lowering track records this year, Believe won the JpnGr.1 Sprinters Stakes in September defeating Shonan Kampf, the other Japanese contender for this race. Shonan Kampf is another sprint winner at the highest level in Japan.
Both the British runners Continent and Malhub have won Gr.1 races this year, with Gr.1 July Cup hero Continent landing his second Gr.1 in the Prix de l'Abbaye in a dramatic finish in which he edged out a trio of fellow Hong Kong Sprint hopefuls in Slap Shot from Italy, Zipping from France and Agnetha from Ireland - all of whom possess black-type winning form.
Successful in this race for the past two years, Falvelon is attempting an unprecedented hat trick of HKIR triumphs. Though he has been in good form this year landing the Gr.1 Doomben 10,000 for a second time, Falvelon produces his best form at Sha Tin, and he must be considered a live contender again. Winner of the Gr.1 Galaxy at Randwick, Mistegic is the other representative from Australia.
American sprinters have finished placed in three Hong Kong Sprints to date and this year's envoy is Texas Glitter, one of the country's leading turf speedsters.
Successful in this race in 1999, and third in 2000 and 2001, the Hong Kong camp appears stronger than ever and is headed by Fairy King Prawn, the winner three years ago and Hong Kong's dual Horse of the Year.
All
Thrills Too could be the one
they all have to beat, however. He was an unlucky third, beaten just a neck, in this race
last year and his trainer David Hayes is very hopeful of a big run on December 15. Firebolt is another very smart local performer that was
good enough to win the HKGr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup on his very first start at Sha Tin last
March. The progressive Cape Of Good Hope has also earned a ticket to take on some of the
fastest horses in the world on a course and distance over which he has won three times.
Media Release - HKJC
Bougoure's Two in Good Shape for Hong Kong
- Wednesday, 20 November 2002 00:00
Queensland trainer Danny Bougoure is optimistic he
can make yet another successful trip to Hong Kong for the Hong Kong International Races
series on December 15.Bougoure who has won the Hong Kong Sprint for the past two years with Falvelon hopes to, this year, have not one but two representatives in Hong Kong.
"Everything's on song with Falvelon and hopefully we will also secure an invitation for Scenic Peak to run in the Hong Kong Mile," Bougoure said.
The five-year-old gelding Scenic Peak won the major Group 1 mile race of the VRC Melbourne Cup carnival 10 days ago. That was the Emirates Stakes in which Scenic Peak ran a blistering 1.33.4 - bettering the track record by more than half a second.
Scenic Peak, who has now won 11 of his 26 starts, was ridden by Danny Nikolic who was the most successful jockey during Melbourne Cup week with five winners.
"It was a brilliant performance,"
Bougoure said, "and an indication of just what he can do when he gets firm ground and
a clear run in a race."
Meanwhile, Falvelon confirmed that he is still competitive against the best company when he ran second to the three-year-old Choisir in the Group 2 Emirates Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 7.
"Falvelon is going as well as ever and there's no reason why he can't go close to winning in Hong Kong again," Bougoure said.
Bougoure plans to fly the two horses to Hong Kong on December 5 - giving him ten days to prepare the horses in their new environment.
PICS - Quentin
Lang.
Media Release - HKJC