HKIR Preview: Four Dozen Run for $10 Million
by Alan Carasso
Note: Cirrus des Aigles will be subjected to a Sunday morning vet exam after experiencing foot soreness Saturday.
CIRRUS CUP STATUS IN FLUX
For the second time in three years, the connections of six-time Group 1 winner Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) will have to sweat out a raceday veterinary examination ahead of today’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse. After being withdrawn on the eve of the 2012 renewal with a left-front tendon issue, the 8-year-old was found to have some tenderness in a foot during a routine check by Hong Kong Jockey Club vets Saturday.
“We’ve changed his shoe and tonight [Hong Kong time] he was trotting fine when the blacksmith had finished,” trainer Corine Barande-Barbe told Racing Post. “[Sunday] morning he will need to pass the official inspection, but I think everything will be fine. He had a tiny problem at the base of his foot and we obviously had to be careful with it, but it never looked serious.”
Cirrus des Aigles is in Hong Kong for the sixth consecutive season, but, despite a career-best third-place effort behind Hong Kong’s Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in last year’s Cup and in spite of defeats of the likes of Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) and Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) this year, he was no better than joint fifth choice on the tote behind Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}).
Ageless Aigles to Drink from Cup…
There is really very little left to accomplish for Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}), but a victory in Hong Kong, which has proved thus far to be elusive, would be the icing on the cake.
Winner of the 2012 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and runner-up to Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) earlier this term, the bay beat Treve in the G1 Prix Ganay and took down the colors of Flintshire in the Ascot’s G1 Coronation Cup, but was injured in that race. That enforced absence could be the difference between this year and others. He crossed the line first in the G2 Prix Dollar on Arc weekend, but was subsequently demoted to fifth and in his most recent effort–or perhaps better put, non-effort–the soft-ground specialist could not handle the bottomless turf at Ascot and was beaten six lengths into fifth by Noble Mission (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Barande-Barbe says her stable darling just keeps on keeping on.
“We haven’t changed our routine with him because of what you guys call ‘old age’,” Barande-Barbe told the press after the horse worked on Thursday morning. “You were already saying he was ancient three years ago. Believe me, he’s young at heart, truly, and being an 8-year-old doesn’t seem to affect him. Anyway, he’s born May 8, so he’s six months away from his ninth birthday.”
Though he will prove a handsome risk-versus-reward betting opportunity, there are several in here with the credentials to win.
Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) earned his Horse of the Year title, with his Hong Kong Derby victory and a defeat of Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, both over this course and distance. But he is winless in five tries since, and in his most recent appearance, was under a drive for the final three furlongs, but could only finish fifth, albeit only 3/4 of a length behind Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup Nov. 23.
The latter is one of three runners in the race for trainer Tony Cruz, who will also saddle Helene Super Star (War Front) and California Memory (Highest Honor {Fr}), winner of the Cup in 2011 and 2012. While the former Lines of Battle should help to fuel whatever pace is on, California Memory will come from off the speed as he looks to improve on a close fourth in the Jockey Club Cup.
Japan’s Tokei Halo (Jpn) (Gold Halo {Jpn}) dictated from the front last year and nearly held off Akeed Mofeed, and Archimedes (Jpn) (Admire Moon {Jpn}) has a puncher’s chance to do even better here. Unraced since a runner-up effort to next-out G1 Dubai Duty Free S. champion Just a Way (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) in the G2 Nakayama Kinen Mar. 2, he has really impressed those on track this week and represents true value in the vicinity of 20-1.
Local Stranglehold Set to Continue in the Mile…
A quartet of horses from Japan and two from Europe have the courage to take on five locally based horses in today’s G1 Hong Kong Mile. But they enter the fray knowing that it is just this side of impossible to walk away with the crown.
The horse they all have to beat this year is Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), who will start the shortest-priced favorite on the program and with good reason. The strapping chestnut, who was declared weighing in at 1297 pounds, won the first leg of the 4-year-old series, the Classic Mile last January, but dropped the next two at the hooves of Designs on Rome. Though he failed to come through when an odds-on runner-up to Variety Club (SAf) (Var) in the G1 Champions Mile in May, that seems less likely here given the condescending nature of his slashing win from Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}) and 2012 Mile winner Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile Nov. 23–despite being ‘underdone,’ in the words of trainer John Moore. Leading rider Joao Moreira is excited about the opportunity that lies a little more than 90 seconds ahead of him today.
“He felt good–he just galloped on the back straight and he worked very well,” the Brazilian rider said Thursday. “I’m really happy with him. I really wish the race was today or tomorrow. I just want to get on him and race.”
Of the Japanese contingent, Fiero (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) could be the pick of the four. He exits the
G1 Mile Championship S. at Kyoto Nov. 23, a test that produced the last foreign-based winner of the Mile–Hat Trick (Jpn) (Sunday Silence)–in 2005. After finding room in upper stretch, he led right down to the wire, only to be nosed out by Danon Shark (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Also emerging from the Kyoto race are the sixth-placed Grand Prix Boss (Jpn) (Sakura Bakushin O {Jpn}) and World Ace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a slow-starting eighth.
GI Woodbine Mile hero and GI Breeders’ Cup third Trade Storm (GB) (Trade Fair {GB}) is easily the more accomplished of the two Euro raiders, but Captain Cat (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) has some strong races on paper and could run into the placings if everything fell just right.
Take Your Pick in the Sprint…
In a renewal of the G1 Hong Kong Sprint that has several winning chances, at least one thing is for certain–they don’t have to worry about Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) for the first time in three years. With no such monsters around, a case can be made for at least half of today’s 14 entrants.
Lucky Nine (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) took the race the last time the Japanese runner did not, and even at age seven, appears to be rounding into the form it will take to join Falvelon (Aus), Silent Witness (Aus), Sacred Kingdom (Aus) and the aforementioned as repeat winners. After successfully defending his title in the G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint last May, trainer Caspar Fownes gave the gelding plenty of time and programmed a single prep run in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint. But things didn’t go at all according to script three Sundays ago. A horse who has often been plagued by gate issues, Lucky Nine jumped well and was in contention, but struck traffic in the lane and fell all the way back to last of 14. That he was able to re-rally into fifth to Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) was full of merit and a clean passage could land him on the wire this afternoon.
“Obviously, on paper it’s a very competitive race,” Fownes reasoned. “There’s not much between the sprinters, but there never is here in Hong Kong. You always hope you’ll get out in clear running and he’ll get his chance. I’m sure he’ll be close because he’s very well.”
Though there were no straws in his path, it was no easy race for Peniaphobia in the Jockey Club Sprint, as he was never closer than three or four wide the trip, but still came home well to best Smart Volatility (Aus) (Danewin {Aus}) andFlagship Shine (Aus) (Tale of the Cat).
“If he can sit just off the pace, fourth or fifth, I’ll be happy,” said Peniaphobia’s trainer Tony Cruz, who orchestrated the career of Silent Witness. “He’s got a great chance. He’s the youngest horse in the race, but he’s up to it. He hasn’t got the early speed any more so I’ll be happy if there’s pace on.”
Sterling City (Aus) (Nadeem {Aus}), who led home a Hong Kong 1-2 ahead of U.S. Grade I winner Rich Tapestry (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March, was never allowed to let down in the Jockey Club Sprint, literally unable to extend at any juncture. He too can factor without as much trouble.
Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) has overcome an injury scare this week and will take his place in the gate this afternoon. He is expected to be one of the chief speeds in the race and can be dangerous from the front if he doesn’t receive too much pressure from Singapore’s Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City), who drew out wide. The latter came into the Jockey Club Sprint perfect in six starts at home, but reportedly did not handle the right-turning track and was absent any other excuse in 13th.
So competitive is this running that Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}), closest to Lord Kanaloa last year; and the talented and accomplished Gordon Lord Byron (Ire) (Byron {GB}) were north of 30-1 in early wagering.
Vase Looking ‘Rosie’ for Cazals…
A one-time top-class runner in Italy, Willie Cazals (Ire) (Aussie Rules) is primed for a career-best effort in today’s G1 Hong Kong Vase.
A 12-furlong specialist in a jurisdiction where such races are not frequently offered, Willie Cazals was beaten by the slimmest of margins by subsequent Vase winner Dominant (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}) in the Queen Mother Memorial H. last May and rallied late to be runner-up to California Memory in the Champions and Chater Cup in 2013 in his two previous tries at the trip.
Promising as he was then, he seems even better this season, even if his race record doesn’t prove it. A longshot third in a Class 2 at Happy Valley Oct. 19, the gray gelding was a fast-finishing second in the Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse H. at Sha Tin Nov. 9 and finished his final quarter-mile in :21.89 in finishing seventh in the Jockey Club Cup last time. He gets another 400 meters to deal with and is spot on for this return to international competition.
“He’s come back very good this season and I think a mile and a half will be perfect for him,” said trainer Tony Cruz of the half-brother to Group 1-placed sprinter/miler Joanna (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). “He has a good draw, he’s got a good jockey–Dougie Whyte’s on him–and we expect good results.”
Simply put and with the evidence on hand, Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}) should dominate here and become the 13th European-based runner to win the Vase in the last 14 years. Four times second from five starts in 2014, the Juddmonte runner has finished behind Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}), Ruler of the World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}, Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) in the Arc and Main Sequence (Aldebaran) in the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf. There’s nothing in this field close to any of those in terms of talent, yet it’s understandable that some would try to take him on here in the markets.
Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) makes his fourth trip to Hong Kong and won this race in 2012. He enters this event off a third runner-up effort in the G1 Melbourne Cup Nov. 4, but trainer Ed Dunlop says that if his warrior is feeling it, he’s not showing it.
“Red Cadeaux has now travelled some 250,000 kilometers and raced 77 miles and still he keeps going,” Dunlop marveled. “That’s a credit to people like Robin [Trevor-Jones] and Steve [Nicholson].”
Empoli (Ger) (Halling) is getting some buzz, though he’ll be facing decidedly tougher than he did when he overcame some late trouble to annex the G1 Preis von Europa Sept. 28.
Alan Carasso’s Picks
Race–Win–Second–Third–Longshot
Vase: Willie Cazals–Flintshire–Red Cadeaux–Parish Hall
Sprint Lucky Nine–Sterling City–Aerovelocity–Buffering
Mile: Able Friend–Gold-Fun–Captain Cat–Grand Prix Boss
Cup: Archimedes–Cirrus des Aigles–Designs on Rome–Criterion
Click for the HKJC.com form guide.