Secret Sham Upsets the Premier Cup H.

Of the five John Moore-trained runners in this final pattern event of the 2014/2015 season, the betting public pounded Not Listenin’tome (Aus) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) into odds-on favoritism, but it was the less-heralded Secret Sham who led home a 1-3-4 finish for the stable, with the chalk no better than sixth. 

Ninth, beaten nine lengths by barn companion Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile Dec. 14, Secret Sham upset a Class 1 handicap over 1400 meters at 22-1 Jan. 18, but was well-beaten in four subsequent tries, including a seventh in a stakes-quality Class 1 going 1600 meters May 24. 

Cutting back to seven panels for this, Secret Sham was the first away from his outside stall and was soon overtaken by Divine Calling (Aus) (Stratum {Aus}), but pressed forward to take up the running with five furlongs to travel. Allowed a fairly soft time of it from there, the gelding, carrying the same colors as MG1SW Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal), turned for home in front and had enough gast left in the tank to hold off the rallying Real Specialist and Exciting Dream. Not Listenin’tome sat a good inside trip under a light weight, but couldn’t summon the necessary response in a disappointing effort. 

“Everything panned out well today. We’re able to come across and find our place upfront. We didn’t do much work early,” said Rawiller who won his first domestic group race in Hong Kong. “His last run was a bit disappointing but today, he turned it over.” 

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PRINCE JEWELLERY & WATCH PREMIER CUP H., HK$2,750,000 (US$354,704), Sha Tin, 6-14, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:21.46, gd/fm. 
1–#SECRET SHAM (AUS), 126, g, 5, Shamardal–Confidential Miss (Aus), by Rivotious. (A$410,000 Ylg ‘11 MMGCYS). O-David Philip Boehm; B-J L Thompson; T-John Moore; J-Nash Rawiller; HK$1,567,500. Lifetime Record: 29-8-3-1, HK$9,024,600. 
2–Real Specialist (NZ), 128, g, 7, Storming Home (GB)–There’s No Doubt (NZ), by Pompeii Court. (NZ$90,000 Ylg ‘09 NZBSEL). O-Kenneth & Judy Lau. HK$605,000. 
3–Exciting Dream (GB), 118, g, 5, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Riva Royale (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). O-Linda So. HK$316,250. 
Margins: NK, HF, 3/4. Odds: 19-1, 19-1, 12-1. 
Also Ran: Rewarding Hero (GB), Super Lifeline (Aus), Not Listinin’tome (Aus), Divine Calling (Aus), All You Wish (NZ), Charles the Great (Ire).