By Alan Carasso
Ambitious Champion (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), campaigned by the same owners that raced former two-time Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}), won for just the fourth time in 26 local runs, but picked a good spot to do it in this prep for the G1 Champions and Chater Cup over the course and distance May 22.
Victorious in a Happy Valley Class 3 over 2200 metres last May, the bay proved a short-head too good for his rivals in a Class 2 over the metric mile and a quarter and Sha Tin for his first win of the season Feb. 21 and was coming into this toughest career test off a second-place effort to Hong Kong Derby runner-up Victory Magic (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) at a mile a three-eighths Apr. 3.
Drawn wide in the field, Ambitious Dragon was ridden quietly away from the gates, but contrary to his preferred come-from-behind running style, was hustled up by Chad Schofield to race just off the flank of Basic Trilogy (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), and that duo owned the pace for the first 10 furlongs of the marathon event. Schofield popped the question turning for home and Absolute Champion responded to lead traveling strongly into the final furlong. Anticipation (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) tried to make a race of it in the final 200 metres, but was held up for a stride or two at a critical juncture and got home well, but too late. Giovanni Canaletto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the Derby third, was flushed four or five deep into the stretch and finished one-paced in third, while favored Victory Magic never factored despite a good trip.
“It was a peach of a ride,” commented trainer Richard Gibson's “His quick, early and bold decision to go forward won us the race. “He's been very consistent all year and won't let us down but he had the weight advantage today and conditions to suit. It'll be tougher next time but we're entitled to give him his chance,” added the trainer.
Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and VIDEO.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
QUEEN MOTHER MEMORIAL CUP H., HK$3,000,000 (£269,679/
€342,479/A$497,839/US$386,769), 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:29.75, gd/yl.
1–#AMBITIOUS CHAMPION (NZ), 115, g, 6, Zed (NZ)–Simply
Sally (NZ), by Sackford. O-Johnson & Anderson Lam; B-Mrs A
M & B H Perry; T-Richard Gibson; J-Chad Schofield;
HK$1,710,000. Lifetime Record: 33-6-8-3, HK$5,661,445.
2–Anticipation (Ire), 113, g, 5, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Small
Sacrifice (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. O-Mr & Mrs Hui Sai Fun.
HK$660,000.
3–Giovanni Canaletto (Ire), 124, g, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Love Me
True, by Kingmambo. O-Eugene Chuang. HK$345,000.
Margins: 3/4, 2HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 8-1, 13-1, 17-10.
Also Ran: Renaissance Art, Basic Trilogy, Mr Gnocchi (Aus), Victory Magic (NZ), Harbour Master, Flame Hero (NZ).
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