A ‘Golden’ Run in the Celebration Cup

Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie Dei Colori {GB}), runner-up in last year’s G1 Hong Kong Mile, gave every indication that he’ll be a real force to reckon with in that race two months down the road, overcoming 130 pounds and a checkered run to win this event first-up for the second year in a row. A disappointing sixth to Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the Stewards’ Cup Jan. 19, Gold-Fun atoned for that defeat with a sparkling half-length victory over subsequent G1 SAI Cup hero Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal) in the course-and-distance Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup Mar. 16, the warm-up for Design On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire})’s score in the Hong Kong Derby one race later. The flashy chestnut was over the top when only fifth to South African raider Variety Club (SAf) (Var) when last seen in the G1 Champions Mile May 4, but nevertheless was the second favorite despite the five months of inactivity. Ridden away from gate 12 by Douglas Whyte, Gold-Fun led early, but was soon overtaken by Helene Spirit (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) and Super Lifeline (Aus) (Churchill Downs {Aus}), in with a feather weight. He box-seated those two from third around the turn, but found himself pocketed when trying to extricate himself in upper stretch. Flagship Shine (Aus) (Tale of the Cat) and Secret Sham (Aus) (Shamardal) also came with a runs, further compounding Whyte’s issues, but he finally spied a gap between the latter two rivals three off the fence and hit the front in the final 40 meters en route to a gritty success. Super Lifeline was a resurgent second, while Designs On Rome, second-last early, sprinted his final two furlongs in a smart :22.14 to miss by less than a length. California Memory (Highest Honor {Fr}) came from last in :22.42 to be seventh, beaten two lengths. “He’s some machine,” declared trainer Richard Gibson. “He’s made physical improvement and we’re expecting another big year from Gold-Fun. I’ve always said 1400 meters is his best distance and I think he would have won by farther if he’d got the break earlier–he’s got a lot of class.” Click for the HKJC.com chart. VIDEO. 

CELEBRATION CUP H., HK$2,750,000 (US$354,318), Sha Tin, 10-5, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:21.44, gd/fm. 
1–GOLD-FUN (IRE), 130, g, 5, Le Vie Dei Colori (GB)–
Goodwood March, by Foxhound. (10,000gns yrl ‘10 
TATOCT). O-Pan Sutong; B-Michael Downey & 
Roalso; T-Richard Gibson; J-Douglas Whyte; 
HK$1,567,500. Lifetime Record: GSW & G1SP-HK, 
17-9-2-1, HK$23,599,620. *Formerly Strada 
Colorato (Ire). 
2–Super Lifeline (Aus), 113, g, 5, Churchill Downs 
(Aus)–Regal Contessa (Aus), by King of Kings (Ire). 
(A$26,000 yrl ‘11 INGMEL). O-Dr Eddy Fong Ching. 
HK$605,000. 
3–Designs On Rome (Ire), 133, g, 4, Holy Roman 
Emperor (Ire)–Summer Trysting, by Alleged. 
(€18,000 yrl ‘11 GOFSPT). O-Cheng Keung Fai. 
HK$316,250. 
Margins: 3/4, NO, NO. Odds: 5-2, 37-1, 6-1. 
Also Run: Rewarding Hero (GB), Flagship Shine (Aus), Secret Sham (Aus), California Memory, Helene Spirit (Ire), Blazing Speed (GB), Winning Leader (Aus), Bubble Chic (Fr), Dominant (Ire).