By Alan Carasso
Super Jockey (NZ) (Sandtrap), the first-ever Hong Kong-trained galloper to race in Korea, was out in the wee hours of Friday morning for light work in the trotting ring before cantering a little more than a lap of the main track at Seoul Racecourse. Bev Millard, wife of trainer Tony Millard, was in the irons for the work around 4 a.m. local time.
Runner-up to Secret Circle (Eddington) in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in 2015, Super Jockey threw a shoe when fifth in this year's running and enters the Keeneland Korea Sprint off a down-the-field effort behind Chautauqua (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) in the grassy G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin May 1. His work over the all-weather track has been excellent, including a front-running 'victory' in an Aug. 24 barrier trial (video), but trainer Millard knows that the main track at Seoul could test the 8-year-old.
“It's very heavy, it seems to be endless,” the South African said after surveying the surface for the first time Friday morning. “It's deep, but it is what it is and we have to deal with it. That's what they race on so we have to run on it, but so does everyone else. Hong Kong-type horses are used to the lighter surface and they do go very hard here, but we have a nice draw.”
Super Jockey will be ridden by Karis Teetan from stall two Sunday afternoon.
Millard is pleased with the way Super Jockey has trained into the race and with the way he has shipped up to Korea.
“He has done well,” the conditioner commented. “He has travelled quite a bit–so he has settled in OK. His weight is good–that's a good indicator–I'm happy with him. He is a seasoned traveller and a secure type–he doesn't fret much, so it was all pretty smooth. He is around his racing weight, he hasn't lost any.”
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