Contentment Continues Ascent in Celebration Cup
Updated: October 1, 2015 at 3:13 pm
Arguably the most progressive horse in Hong Kong in 2014/2015, Contentment continued his ascent with a perfect-trip success in the day’s co-feature.
Victorious in six of his nine trips to the post last season, Contentment, ninth to Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) in the Hong Kong Derby in March, cut back to the metric mile for wins in Class 2 June 14 and a last-out defeat of 2015 HK Classic Mile hero Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in Class 1 July 12.
Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal), racing for the first time since his successful title defense in the G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup in May, jumped best and led for a stride or two, but was overtaken by Beauty Flame (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), who set the pace inside of Divine Calling (Aus) (Stratum {Aus}). Contentment raced in about fourth spot, just to the outside of Giant Treasure, and was pulled out four wide around Dundonnell (First Defence) at the head of the lane. The response wasn’t immediate, but Contentment, under just 115 pounds, kicked it in noticeably at the 200-meter mark and sprinted best of all, as Giant Treasure overcame a spot of traffic to grab second.
“He is a much more mature horse than he was last season and he showed us what we were expecting,” said Moreira. “I don’t think he is at his best at the moment and he still won, so we are very excited about what he will bring to his next races. Wherever he goes he will be competitive–he has heart.” Click for the HKJC.com chart and PPs. VIDEO.
CELEBRATION CUP H., HK$3,000,000 (US$387,094), Sha Tin, 10-1, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:21.17, gd.
1–#CONTENTMENT (AUS), 115, g, 5, Hussonet–Jemison (Aus), by Commands (Aus). (A$65,000 Ylg
‘12 INGCLS). O-Benson Lo; B-P J Favretto; T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$1,710,000. Lifetime
Record: 10-7-1-0, HK$7,474,600. *Formerly Chilton County (Aus).
2–Giant Treasure, 116, g, 4, Mizzen Mast–Palisade, by Gone West. O-Pan Sutong. HK$660,000.
3–Super Lifeline (Aus), 115, g, 6, Churchill Downs (Aus)–Regal Contessa (Aus), by King of Kings (Ire).
(A$26,000 Ylg ‘11 INGPRE). O-Dr Eddy Fong. HK$345,000.
Margins: HF, 2, NO. Odds: 1-1, 46-10, 49-1.
Also Ran: (DH) Exciting Dream (GB), (DH) Divine Calling (Aus), Dan Excel (Ire), Dominant (Ire), Beauty Flame (Ire), Packing Llaregyb (Ire), Rewarding Hero (GB), Harbour Master, Dundonnell, Rainbow Chic (Ire), Domineer (GB).