Dubai-Bound Stars Trial at Sha Tin

Five members of a formidable Hong Kong contingent aiming for the Dubai World Cup meeting Mar. 29 took part in barrier trials Tuesday morning at Sha Tin. 

The day’s second heat was contested over 1600 meters and was ‘won’ by Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), upset winner of the Stewards’ Cup in January, who has a spot in the field for the G1 Dubai Duty Free S. going 1800 meters on the grass. Soon in front for Matt Chadwick, the 5-year-old went along at a decent clip chased by Same World (GB) (Hawk Wing), the only member of this five-horse gathering not ticketed for the Middle East. Akeed Mofeed (GB)(Dubawi {Ire}) and Hong Kong Horse of the Year Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), both headed to the G1 Dubai World Cup, were next in the field, and the longer-winded Dominant (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}) caboosed the field at one pace. Positions remained unchanged as they raced well away from the rail into the stretch, and Blazing Speed was able to hold his rivals at bay by 1 1/2 lengths. Akeed Mofeed pulled fairly hard and was never asked for an effort before galloping out alongside Blazing Speed in the next furlong. (Trial 2 video).

“He came out good and I took him back, and he was following Same World,” said Whyte. “He didn’t spit the bit, it took me a long time to get him settled–he was a bit fired up. Having said all that, he was full of himself at the line and he hit the line with a lot of purpose. The horse himself feels great, he feels terrific and he’s thriving in his work, I just hope that that trial knocks a little bit of wind out of his sails and he goes there [to Dubai] more composed.” 

Military Attack quickened well enough for fourth ahead of Dominant, who galloped along evenly in his prep for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic “Military Attack gave me such a great feel this morning and I just did what the trainer asked and took it easy with him,” said jockey Joao Moreira of the Feb. 23 Hong Kong Gold Cup victor. “I didn’t really push him out, I just keep it for the races. He’s doing well and I’m very happy with him.” 

In the day’s first trial, short-track specialist Amber Sky (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) prepped neatly for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint by running his five rivals off their feet up the 1000-meter straight. In front in a flash for Moreira, Amber Sky made the running on the near-side rail and flopped back and forth across his leads, but covered the distance in a fleet :58.04 (Trial 1 video). 

“Amber Sky’s barrier trial was fantastic,” said Moreira of the 4-year-old, last seen winning the Centenary Sprint Cup Jan. 26. “He bolted in this morning. I just tried to do what the trainer asked me to do and took it easy with him. I just sat on top of him and was as quiet as I could be. He’s just a classy horse and he gave me such a great feel this morning.” 

Another of the Hong Kong representatives, Rich Tapestry (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), stamped himself as one of the favorites for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen with a slick win in the G3 Mahab al Shimaal S. last Saturday.