Helene Happy Star Wires the Queen Mother Memorial Cup

Trained in England by Richard Hannon on behalf of Lady Rothschild, Helene Happy Star–formerly Barley Mow–upset the Listed Newmarket S. last May, but was a close fourth in the Cocked Hat S. at Goodwood and fifth in the G3 Tercentenary S. at Royal Ascot before his sale to Hong Kong. 

He showed progressive form through this year’s 4-year-old series, and was a promising fourth to Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) in the prestigious Hong Kong Derby Mar. 15. The bay was exiting an eighth-place effort to Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup Apr. 26, but was beaten just three lengths and was the fifth betting choice in this prep for the G1 Champions and Chater Cup May 31. 

Drawn widest in this field of 13 for Neil Callan, Helene Happy Star was ridden for speed and took them into the first turn as G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase third Khaya (NZ) (Librettist) applied some pressure and favored Thunder Fantasy (Aus) (Lucky Owners {NZ}) box-seated from third. As pounding rains softened the Sha Tin turf, Helene Happy Star and Khaya ding-donged it around the second turn, but the pacesetter soon had the better of that battle and put three lengths on his rivals into the final furlong. Renaissance Art, who defeated Australia (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to win his maiden at second asking for Jim Bolger and winner of two straight at Happy Valley, was gaining inches late, but ran out of real estate. 

California Memory (Highest Honor {Fr}), a two-time winner of the G1 Hong Kong Cup, tailed off badly a half-mile out and was eased. He was subsequently found to have an irregular heartbeat. 
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QUEEN MOTHER MEMORIAL CUP H., HK$2,750,000 (US$354,697), Sha Tin, 5-9, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:30.70, yl. 
1–HELENE HAPPY STAR (IRE), 122, g, 4, Zamindar–Harvest Queen (Ire) (MSW & GSP-Eng, $150,318), 
by Spinning World. O-Sir Po-shing, Lady, Wilson & Jackson Woo; B-The Right Honorable Lord Rothschild; T-John Moore; J-Neil Callan; HK$1,567,500. Lifetime Record: SW-Eng, 15-3-2-1, HK$3,488,200. *Formerly Barley Mow (Ire). **1/2 to Glean (GB) (Raven’s Pass), GSP-Eng. 
2–Renaissance Art, 113, c, 4, More Than Ready–Lady Siphonica, by Siphon (Brz). ($25,000 yrl ‘12 KEESEP). O-Hong Kong Pegasus Racing Syndicate. HK$605,000. 
3–Take to The Limit (Fr), g, 5, Rashbag (GB)–Rahyna, by Rahy. O-The Exors of the Estate of the Late Herbert Hui Ho Ming. HK$316,250. 
Margins: 3/4, 2 1/4, 1HF. Odds: 8-1, 7-1, 16-1. 
Also Ran: Savvy Nature (NZ), Bubble Chic (Fr), Khaya (NZ), Got Fly (Fr), Thunder Fantasy (Aus), Wayfoong Express (Ire), Rainbow Chic (Ire), Lucky Omens (Aus), Shamkiyr (Fr). DNF: California Memory.