By Alan Carasso
It will be a case of quality over quantity Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse, as a high-class field of eight middle-distance gallopers–including the three most recent winners of the race–will face the starter for the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m).
Japanese raiders are not without their fair share of success in the QE II, with Eishin Preston (Green Dancer, 2002, 2003) and Rulership (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) having represented the island nation, and if international ratings are to be the barometer, Neorealism (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) is the one the other seven will have to beat. The 6-year-old, who lowered the colours of none other than Horse of the Year Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in last year's G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m), has one run under his belt this term, a solid success over a strong field in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) Feb. 26. Trainer Noriyuki Hori, who has secured the services of leading rider Joao Moreira, was pleased enough with his draw in gate six, though there are issues more pressing.
“I think in this race, I just want to make sure my horse is in the best condition and we would prefer good ground,” he commented. “I will sit down and talk to Joao about tactics.”
Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) made it six home-team wins in the last seven renewals with a stunning defeat of 2013 winner Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) and Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire})–the 2015 upsetter–over a rain-affected strip. It has been another wet week in the New Territories, and a Thursday morning gallop, capped by a final 400m in a smart :22.9 has trainer John Moore thinking that the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year is primed for his title defence.
“I'm very pleased, we're going in with confidence,” said Moore, looking for a sixth QE II since 2007. “[Jockey] Sam [Clipperton] said he was really strong to the line here and very strong through the line. He said the horse wasn't going to pull-up, he was going on, so that's very indicative of what the feedback was at this time last year. We're going in with a very fit horse.”
Werther will once again have the services of top Australian jockey Hugh Bowman from gate two.
Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was in his prime three seasons ago, having followed up on his stirring victory over Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) in the Hong Kong Derby with a razor-thin defeat of Military Attack in this event. To be sure, at age seven, the gelding's best days are behind, but he makes his fourth straight appearance in the QE II and is reunited with Tommy Berry from the inside barrier.
“He's got as big a heart as you would ever want in a horse but the age–if he could run third or fourth it would be a very good result. Anything in front of that would be a bonus,” Moore acknowledged.
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