By Alan Carasso
One of the more fascinating subplots of the 2014 Classics season that featured three memorable throwdowns between future Horses of the Year Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) and Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was the chess matches that developed between those horses' respective riders, Brazilian Joao Moreira and Australian Tommy Berry. A superior animal over 1600 metres, Able Friend and Moreira drew first blood in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, but drawing on his stamina and given two tactically perfect and masterful rides by Berry, Designs on Rome turned the tables in the Classic Cup (1800m) and the Hong Kong Derby (2000m). The two horses have since parted company, each having staked their claims in Hong Kong racing lore, but the two jockeys were back at it Sunday in a compelling renewal of the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup.
Designs on Rome, sold privately to trainer Pat Flynn after failing to raise much interest at the 2011 Goffs Orby Sale, went on to win the 2014 G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, besting that year's Gold Cup hero Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) in yet another stirring finish and added a short-head victory over his then-stablemate in the G1 Hong Kong Cup in December. Winner of this event 12 months ago, Designs on Rome was a highly creditable fourth when rallying into no pace in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, but was fourth in defense of the QE II and subsequently underwent surgery on both front fetlock joints.
Conservatively managed by John Moore this term, he had yet to rediscover his best form, with a fourth as the surprising favorite in the Hong Kong Cup and a running-on eighth behind Giant Treasure (Mizzen Mast) in the G1 Stewards' Cup that was always a prep for this race. The 6-year-old had turned in an indifferent trial in the interim, but was nonetheless dispatched the second choice in the betting Sunday afternoon, with Berry taking over at the controls from Moreira at the behest of owner Cheng Keung Fai.
Off slowly and at the back early with the heavily supported Secret Weapon (GB) (Choisir {Aus}), Designs on Rome became detached from the field as his stable companion Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal) crossed down onto the fence to lead from Helene Super Star (War Front). Military Attack box-seated that duo and Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) found the one-out, one-back spot. Berry had regained touch with his rivals at the race's midpoint, but, as he did so well in those aforementioned races, set Designs on Rome alight with a run around the field fully four furlongs from the wire. In making that move, he left Helene Happy Star (Ire) (Zamindar) a bit flat-footed and forced Moreira atop that runner to chase the eventual winner into the lane.
Back on the business end, Helene Super Star took over for a stride or two from Dan Excel, but Blazing Speed was letting down outside with Military Attack just waiting for room one away from the fence. But, showing all of his old panache, Designs on Rome swooped down on the leaders and sprinted his final 400 metres in :22.16 to score from Helene Happy Star, whose rider offered Berry a smile and a congratulatory fist bump past the post. Military Attack, in search of a third Gold Cup, held third from Dominant (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}), the former G1 Hong Kong Vase hero who raced more prominently throughout than is his custom.
“He feels the same as when I rode him in the past,” said the Australian hoop. “He doesn't give any sort of feel from the gates, but as soon as I give him a click up at the half-mile, he gets going and finds three or four lengths.”
For Moore, winning the Gold Cup for the 11th time, Designs on Rome occupies a special place.
“He's so talented, he's got to be number one,” asserted Moore. “Of my other Gold Cup winners, Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}) was good, but the way this horse does it, coming from last, right around the field and winning–he's just an equine champion. He's very exciting to watch and for that reason I'll put him on top.”
Whereas he ventured overseas in 2015, there are no such plans this time around.
“He's not travelling anywhere,” Moore added. “He'll go into the AP QEII Cup [Apr. 24]–then we'll just look after him.”
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
CITI HONG KONG GOLD CUP-G1, HK$10,000,000 (£923,074/€1,166,451), Sha Tin, 2-28, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:01.51, gd.
1–DESIGNS ON ROME (IRE), 126, g, 6, by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
1st Dam: Summer Trysting, by Alleged
2nd Dam: Seasonal Pickup, by The Minstrel
3rd Dam: Bubinka, by Nashua
(€10,500 Ylg '11 GOFORB). O-Cheng Keung Fai; B-Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd; T-John Moore; J-Tommy Berry; HK$5,700,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year, 2x Ch. Middle Distance Horse-HK, G1SP-Ire, 26-10-4-2, HK$59,105,995. *1/2 to Sights On Gold (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), MGSW-Eng, G1SP-HK, GSP-UAE, SP-Ire, $743,989; and Simple Exchange (Ire) (Danehill), GSW-US, MSW & GSP-Ire, GSP-Ger, $301,542. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Helene Happy Star (Ire), 126, g, 5, Zamindar–Harvest Queen (Ire), by Spinning World. O-Sir Po-shing & Lady Woo, Wilson Woo Kah Wah & Jackson Woo Ka Biu; B-The Right Honorable Lord Rothschild; T-John Moore; HK$2,200,000.
3–Military Attack (Ire), 126, g, 8, Oratorio (Ire)–Almaaseh (Ire), by Dancing Brave. (€40,000 Ylg '09 GOFMIL). O-Canny Leung Chi Shan; B-P E Banahan; T-Caspar Fownes; HK$1,000,000.
Margins: HF, HF, 1HF. Odds: 34-10, 16-1, 10-1.
Also Ran: Dominant (Ire), Blazing Speed (GB), Flame Hero (NZ), Secret Weapon (GB), Mr Gnocchi (Aus), Giant Treasure, Helene Super Star, Dan Excel (Ire).
Click for the HKJC.com chart and VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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