By Alan Carasso
Contentment rediscovered the form which saw him land the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m) last season, but Sunday's G1 Champions Mile ended on a tragic note, as heavily favored Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss) suffered a fractured pelvis with a little less than a half-mile to run and, after being rushed to the on-site veterinary hospital, could not be saved.
The expected pacesetter in a race void of any serious speed on paper, Contentment made an easy lead beneath Brett Prebble and walked the dog through the opening 600 metres before Stormy Antarctic (GB) (Stormy Atlantic) rolled up to take command prior to the turn. Rapper Dragon, last after a sluggish break, drove through into about fifth, but was at the tail yet again and under a Joao Moreira drive when he was pulled up abruptly out of the race at the 750m. Back on the business end, Stormy Antarctic led into the stretch with Contentment ready to pounce from second, while Helene Paragon was winding up and looking the likeliest winner at the top of the lane. This year's Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup hero looked destined to have his picture taken, but he looked to idle inside the final 150m, and Contentment showed his battling qualities to cause a 25-1 boilover. Beauty Only went for a run between Circuit Land (Mizzen Mast) and the eventual winner at the furlong grounds, then shifted down towards the inside and his rally fell just short. An objection launched against the winner was quickly dismissed.
“When Helene Paragon shot to the front quite early, that gave him an extra bunny to guide him along and give him something to look at,” Prebble said. “He has a tendency to gaze around at things in the final stages–that's why he had the blinkers on last time, but they didn't work out so the pacifiers were back on.”
A 39-10 chance when runner-up to Japanese Horse of the Year Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in last year's renewal, Contentment was mired in a 12-race losing streak dating back to last February's Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup triumph and was a latest sixth to Rapper Dragon after setting the pace in the Apr. 9 G2 Chairman's Trophy at the course and distance. He is expected to travel to Tokyo for the G1 Yasuda Kinen June 4.
Pedigree Notes:
By the late Hussonet (Mr. Prospector–Sacahuista), Contentment, who was sold as a yearling by John Messara's Arrowfield Stud, is kin to a yearling filly by the farm's dual-hemisphere shuttler Animal Kingdom and a filly foal by Arrowfield's promising Dundeel (NZ) (High Chaparral {Ire}). Jemison was most recently bred back to the latter stallion on an Oct. 17 cover date. Contentment's third dam, the G1 South Australian Oaks third Super Trend, is the dam of champion, G1SW and useful sire Align (Aus) (Night Shift). Winning breeder Paul Favretto is also the breeder of the promising Jing Jing Win (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), an A$360,000 Inglis Easter/Arrowfield graduate who topped the 2016 Hong Kong International Sale on a bid of HK$8.5 million.
Rapper Dragon Succumbs to Injury:
Joao Moreira pulled up Rapper Dragon and dismounted the 4-year-old, who was able to walk on to the horse ambulance before being transported to hospital.
“Rapper Dragon suffered a severe fracture of his pelvis which, unfortunately, was coupled with serious complications,” explained Dr Christopher Riggs, head of veterinary clinical services for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “Despite our intensive care in the equine hospital, we were unable to save him.”
Added HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges: “We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all of those involved in the life and care of Rapper Dragon, in particular, owner Albert Hung and his family.”
Bred in New South Wales by Eduardo Cojuangco, Rapper Dragon won one of five starts and was runner-up in the G1 Champagne S. of 2015 while under the care of Gai Waterhouse prior to his export to Hong Kong. He defeated future G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile hero Beauty Only in a domestic Group 3 last term and would have been tough himself in that race, but setbacks delayed the start of his Classic season until International Races day Dec. 11. A good fifth on that occasion, he became the first horse to sweep the local 4-year-old series with wins in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (video), Hong Kong Classic Cup (video) and finally the Hong Kong Derby (video). Winner of eight of 12 locally, Rapper Dragon earned better than HK$31 million.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CHAMPIONS MILE-G1, HK$16,000,000 (£1,591,722/€1,873,508/ A$2,777,785/US$2,056,160), Sha Tin, 5-7, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:35.23, gd/fm.
1–CONTENTMENT (AUS), 126, g, 6, by Hussonet
1st Dam: Jemison (Aus), by Commands (Aus)
2nd Dam: Vista Vincere (Aus), by Scenic (Ire)
3rd Dam: Super Trend (Aus), by Red Anchor (NZ)
(A$65,000 Ylg '12 INGCLS). O-Benson Lo; B-Paul J Favretto, T & J Hodgson AM, Mr P Rowe, Mr D Sinn, Mr P Sinn (NSW); T-John Size; J-Brett Prebble; HK$9,120,000. Lifetime Record: 29-10-4-2, HK$35,064,600. *Formerly Chilton County (Aus). Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Beauty Only (Ire), 126, g, 6, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Goldendale (Ire), by Ali-Royal (Ire). (€72,000 Ylg '12 ITYSEP). O-Eleanor & Patrick Kwok; B-Massimo Parri; T-Tony Cruz; HK$3,520,000.
3–Helene Paragon (Fr), 126, h, 5, Polan (Fr)–High Zaff (GB), by High Chaparral (Ire). O-Sir Po-shing & Lady Woo, Jackson & Dawson Woo & The Exors of the Estate of the Late Wilson Woo; B-A Jordan Torres; T-John Moore; HK$1,600,000.
Margins: NK, 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 25-1, 12-5, 79-10.
Also Ran: Circuit Land, Stormy Antarctic (GB), Convey (GB), DNF: Rapper Dragon (Aus).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, sectional timing and PPs. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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