Byron Works For Hong Kong Sprint

BYRON WORKS FOR HONG KONG SPRINT 
Globetrotting sprinter-miler Gordon Lord Byron (Ire) (Byron {GB}) will make his third visit to the Hong Kong International race meeting Dec. 13, and the 6-year-old pleased trainer Tom Hogan with a racecourse gallop at Dundalk Friday. 

“It all went perfectly at Dundalk,” Hogan said. “He loves it there–he strode out well and had a little blow afterwards. We might go back there again next Friday just to get him spot on for Hong Kong.” 

Gordon Lord Byron, who was last seen winning the G2 Qipco British Champions Sprint S. Oct. 18, claimed his third Group 1 in Australia’s George Ryder S. over 7 1/2 furlongs in March prior to finishing a respectable sixth behind Lankan Rupee (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice {Aus}) in the A$3.5 million G1 T J Smith S. over six furlongs in April. The Cyrus Poonawalla and Morgan Cahalan colorbearer has contested the G1 Hong Kong Mile the last two years, finishing fourth both times. 

“We’ve decided we will take our chances on the draw and go for the Sprint,” Hogan said. “His runs in Australia show he is good enough to go for the race. The milers in Hong Kong are exceptionally good. We’ve had a couple of goes at the race before and we’ve not had much luck in running and still finished two lengths off the winner. We think he’s capable of running a good race in the Sprint and deserves his chance. He flies out of Heathrow on Dec. 5 and we’re looking forward to it.”