Speed Looks For C&C Cup Repeat

One of the most versatile horses in Hong Kong, Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) looks to build on another successful season in Sunday’s G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse. 

Upset winner of the Stewards’ Cup going 1600 meters in January 2014, the former James Fanshawe trainee capped that campaign with an more surprising victory in this event 12 months ago, accounting for a field including 2-5 Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and reigning G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase hero Dominant (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}). Following a score in the G2 Jockey Club Cup in November, the bay dropped his next four–including a sixth toHarbour Master (Mizzen Mast) and Mr Gnocchi (Aus) (Hard Spun)–in the Premier Plate H. Mar. 29, but bounced out of that to register a two-length tally in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. going the metric mile and a quarter Apr. 26. 

“The horse is in great form and I’m looking forward to it,” trainer Tony Cruz commented. “He’s very well, his trial was great and he pulled up good so I’m happy,” said Cruz, in reference to an impressive 1200-meter all-weather barrier, in which Blazing Speed cruised to an easy third-place finish. 

Though he is weighted 20 pounds inferior to Blazing Speed in the handicap, Helene Happy Star (Ire) (Zamindar) has some things in his favor as he steps up in class Sunday afternoon. A good fourth to Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) in the Mar. 15 Hong Kong Derby, the 4-year-old was eighth, but beaten just three lengths, in the QE II. Pitched in at this distance for the first time in the Queen Mother Memorial Cup H. May 9, the former Barley Mow reverted to front-running tactics and proved not for catching, scoring by 3/4 of a length over yielding turf. His chances will only be enhanced with the addition of Joao Moreira at the controls.