By Alan Carasso
Sunday's action at Sha Tin Racecourse sees the jurisdiction's top five middle-distance runners pitted against each other in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), a race with potential Dubai World Cup night implications, while an interesting cross-section of sprinter/milers square off over the intermediate distance of 1400m in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup.
While 2013/2014 Horse of the Year Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) will be reunited with Tommy Berry in search of three straight wins in the Gold Cup, a majority of the attention will be focused on reigning HOY Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), who will get Hugh Bowman back in the irons for just his second run of the season. Last year's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Hong Kong Derby hero was sidelined by injury for the first part of the local season and ran like a horse in need of the race when sixth to stablemate Helene Paragon (Fr) (Polan {Fr}) in the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m) Jan. 30. A positive effort could see Werther represent the John Moore barn at Meydan, where he holds entries for the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m).
“I made entries for him to go to Dubai but he hasn't been invited yet,” Moore told the HKJC notes team. “I'll wait and see how he runs and then I'll go to Johnson and ask if it's a possibility. I'd like to run him in the 1800-metre race at Meydan, but we'll see.”
With the old guard beginning to fade, Secret Weapon (GB) (Choisir {Aus}) may be the biggest threat to Werther. A slashing second to Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup over course and distance, Secret Weapon has been entered for the Dubai Turf and the G1 Dubai World Cup.
Adding further intrigue to the Gold Cup is the presence of G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile hero Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who will hope for fast ground as he stretches out in trip.
Contentment (Aus) (Hussonet) claimed his first Group 1 in last year's Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, but he'll need to lift on his current form if he is to defend. Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) turned in a memorable performance to win the QSJC in 2015, but is in search of his first win of the season. Sixth in the Mile, he “ran up on backsides” at a crucial point in the Stewards' Cup and was an unlucky third.
“I'm confident that if he gets clear running, on his work [Thursday] morning and the fact that he has improved in his work, he'll be winning on Sunday,” John Moore said. “He's a few lengths better than even Helene Paragon.”
Blizzard (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}) has the look of the 'now' horse, especially at this specialist distance. The handsome chestnut has a record of 3-1-1 from seven tries over 1400m, including a smart success in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup H. Jan. 1.
Helene Paragon was under consideration for the Dubai Turf, but will remain at home, with the mid-range goal the G1 Champions Mile May 7. Tommy Berry has the return call Sunday afternoon.
Click for the HKJC PPs (Gold Cup) (Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup)
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
