HKIR Notebook: Tuesday, December 9
ORTIZ TO FACE THE WORLD IN HONG KONG
Irad Ortiz Jr. has been a star on the rise ever since his arrival on the American racing scene in the summer of 2011, just six months after riding his first career winner at Hiprodromo Camarero in Puerto Rico. Tonight, at the tight-turning and tricky Happy Valley Racecourse on Hong Kong Island, the 22-year-old will ride against 11 of the world’s best jockeys in the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship.
It has been a breakthrough year for Ortiz Jr., who earned his first Breeders’ Cup success courtesy of Lady Eli (Divine Park) in the GI Juvenile Fillies Turf and currently ranks third among North American jockeys by number of winners through Dec. 9 (277 from 1393 rides, 20%) and by purse money ($19,622,511). Ortiz Jr. tied with Javier Castellano for leading rider honors at the Belmont Spring/Summer meeting, was runner-up at the always-competitive Saratoga stand and got the upper hand over Castellano at the Belmont Fall Championship meeting. Ortiz Jr., who is accompanied on this trip to Hong Kong by his grandfather–also named Irad–is very much looking forward to the challenge the IJC will present.
“It is very exciting for me to be invited to such a contest,” he said Tuesday afternoon as the 12 participants gathered for a meet-the-press function at Happy Valley. “And I can’t thank the Jockey Club enough for allowing me to represent the USA. The turns [at Happy Valley] are very tight and I will have to arrange my stirrups to deal with the right-hand course. Anyway I have watched lots of videos to get accustomed to the track and I cannot wait for the challenge to begin.”
The senior Ortiz suspects his grandson will adapt just fine.
“Ever since he was a little boy he has been extremely gifted in the saddle,” he explained. “Me and his father were also jockeys, at El Comandante in Puerto Rico as well as in New York, and as soon as he started to ride, Irad showed something very special.”
To be successful, Ortiz Jr. will have to be at his very best to defeat a group that includes two-time IJC winner and ‘world’s best jockey’ Ryan Moore and other previous IJC victors defending champion Kerrin McEvoy, local star Joao Moreira and Christophe Soumillon. The latter is expected to figure prominently in the outcome of the IJC after pulling two of the favorites from the four races that comprise the event.
“I have not won in Hong Kong for a while and yet I always receive lots of support from the local fans so I am eager to please them,” said Soumillon, who will try to take Sunday’s G1 Hong Kong Cup with the globe-trotting Cirrus Des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) and exits a victory in the G1 Japan Cup aboard Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S. {Jpn}) just 10 days ago. “I am drawn 12 of 12 in the first so that’s a long shot. I have got a chance in the second leg, a 1000-meter sprint, and I ride a horse for Casper Fownes in the last leg with a live chance. I am glad that I got such good rides overall and we will probably have a good time on Wednesday night.”
Moreira is likely to be well-backed in the Championship, while England’s Richard Hughes and Japan’s Yuichi Fukunaga are reputed to have good chances as well. However, Hughes is taking nothing for granted.
“You can never tell around Happy Valley, but I have got a couple of nice rides so we’ll see. I am looking forward to it,” Hughes commented.
Points will be awarded on a 12-6-4 basis. The winning jockey will take home a first-prize check of HK$500,000 (about US$64,500). Post time for the first of the IJC races is 8:10 p.m. (7:10 a.m. EST). Click for the HKJC.com race form.
Hong Kong Trio Working for the Weekend…
Led by reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), three of the more prominent chances for Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong International Races got in their final serious pieces of work over the Sha Tin turf course Tuesday morning.
A leading contender for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, Designs on Rome made his way onto the flood-lit turf course just after 6 a.m. and, with big-race rider Joao Moreira in the irons, worked over 1200 meters in sectionals of :26 and :29.1 before finishing his final quarter-mile in a slick :23.2 for a composite time of 1:18.2.
Alongside Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) and former stablemate Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), Designs on Rome is the joint-highest rated horse in the field on a ranking of 123, based mostly on his thrilling victory over Military Attack in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over this course and 2000-meter distance last April. The Moyglare Stud-bred gelding has lost four straight since that effort, including a close fifth to Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup Nov. 23.
Stablemate Dominant (Ire) (Cacique {Ire}) is looking to rediscover the form that saw him cause an upset in last year’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase and breezed 1200 meters in the company of his Cup-bound stable companion Same World (GB) (Hawk Wing) in 1:19.2. With Moreira calling the shots, the longer-winded Dominant went in fractions of :27.4 and :28.6 before coming home in :23.2.
“I’m happy with that,” said Moore. “They all worked well and both Dominant and Designs on Rome will go out again on Friday. I’ll put them on the all-weather on Friday and they’ll both go three-quarter pace.
Moreira was satisfied with the work too.
“Designs on Rome worked really well this morning on the grass. We went quite a strong gallop–they had a little bit of a slow but it’s like we just adjusted the screws and I’m very happy with the way he pulled up, and I’m sure he’s going to be ready on Sunday. Dominant crossed the line full of himself and he probably worked the best of them so I’m looking forward to him on the weekend. He’s definitely going to be a good ride.”
Trainer Richard Gibson, who sent out Akeed Mofeed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to a popular victory in the 2013 Hong Kong Cup, gave champion miler Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie dei Colori {GB}) a 1200-meter gallop on the grass, which was accomplished in a leisurely overall clocking of 1:24.5, but more importantly finished with a smart final 400 meters in :22.8.
“He felt great, his action was clean and he felt pretty sharp,” said jockey Douglas Whyte of the 5-year-old, who was runner-up to Glorious Days (Aus) (Hussonet) in last year’s G1 Hong Kong Mile.
Parish Hall Another Bolger Product Top and Bottom…
Trainer Jim Bolger is no stranger to the Hong Kong International Races winner’s circle. In 2004, the successful conditioner sent across the 3-year-old filly Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}) for the Hong Kong Cup, and–with stable rider Kevin Manning along for the ride–outgamed local hero Bullish Luck (Royal Academy) for a 21-1 upset to become the first female to win the race. When Bolger sends one overseas, it behooves one to pay attention, and Parish Hall (Ire)(Teofilo {Ire}) will conclude a busy 2014 season in Sunday’s G1 Hong Kong Vase.
Winner of the G1 Dewhurst S. at two in 2011, the 5-year-old, owned and bred by Bolger’s wife Jackie, developed a hind-leg infection early in his 3-year-old season and was forced to miss the whole of the 2012 season. Winner of the G3 Diamond S. over the Dundalk all-weather track last season, Parish Hall was narrowly beaten in this year’s G3 International S. at The Curragh June 29 before landing the G3 Meld S. in his next start July 20 (video). Third of four in the G3 Royal Whip S. Aug. 24, the bay was sixth over an insufficient trip in the G3 Boomerang Mile at Leopardstown Sept. 13, but improved dramatically with a strong runner-up effort behind Pether’s Moon (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the G3 Cumberland Lodge S. at Ascot Oct. 4.
Parish Hall has made a favorable impression in morning trackwork and galloped over the dirt surface Tuesday morning at Sha Tin to the satisfaction of his groom Ger Flynn.
“He travelled over well and hasn’t lost a whole load of kilos,” Flynn commented. “He’s eating well and really seems to be flourishing over here. We’ll probably give him a look at the turf and let him point his toe on Thursday by which time his trainer will be here. He’ll be an outsider Sunday, but he won’t know that and remember Alexander Goldrun was big odds when she won the Cup for us.”
A legend among Irish trainers, Bolger is a breeder of any number of important horses and is intimately acquainted with Parish Hall’s pedigree.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Bolger conditioned Saviour (Majestic Light) to a trio of victories in nine starts for owner Tom Gentry, took possession of the mare and bred two stakes winners from the mare’s first six foals, including 2001 Irish 1000 Guineas Trial winner Speirbhean (Ire) to the cover of Danehill. Retired after an unplaced run in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas, Speirbhean was bred to the young sire Galileo (Ire) in her first two years at stud. Her second produce was a colt of 2004 named Teofilo (Ire), who became the champion 2-year-old colt in Europe in 2006 with five wins in as many starts, including defeats of Holy Roman Emperor (Ire) (Danehill) in the G1 National S. and G1 Dewhurst S.
Bolger also bred and trained Siamsa (Quest for Fame {GB}) on behalf of his wife and John Corcoran, and while she only won minor handicaps at Killarney and Gowran Park during her racing career, her daughter, the Fairyhouse maiden winner Halla Siamsa (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) produced Parish Hall as her first foal in 2009. Halla Siamsa is also the dam of Parish Hall’s full-brother, this year’s G2 Futurity S. third Hall of Fame (Ire), while Siamsa’s produce of 2009, Light Heavy (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), won the G3 Ballysax S. and G2 Derby Trial S. for Team Bolger in 2012.
Spalato Looking For Bounce-Back Effort in Sprint…
At home in Singapore, Spalato (NZ) (Elusive City) was an unstoppable force, and between May and July of 2014, went from being unraced to winning his maiden by nearly 10 lengths going 1000 meters over the Kranji Polytrack to proving imperious in adding the Singapore Derby by better than four lengths going 10 furlongs on the turf.
Given a breather by trainer John O’Hara and with an international raid clearly in the crosshairs, the gelding dominated his rivals in a pair of grass sprints at Kranji and was penciled in for the G2 Jockey Club Sprint Nov. 23. For all intents and purposes, Spalato’s fate was sealed when he drew post 13 in that field of 14, and while the victorious Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) over came the widest post that day, Spalato petered out in the straight to finish next to last as the 11-2 third choice. He was also racing right-handed for the first time on that occasion, and connections are cautiously optimistic that he’ll improve for the experience this weekend. Regular rider Manoel Nunes, who missed the Jockey Club Sprint, with a wrist injury, replaces James McDonald in the saddle.
“He cantered this morning and he looks alright,” assistant trainer David Shepherd reported. “He had a few problems after his first run here but he seems to be over them now. Racing the opposite direction for the first time, we think he just tweaked a few muscles behind. It’s handy we’ve had the extra time here for him to get over those few issues. He’ll have a gallop [Wednesday] morning.”
John O’Hara began his training career in 1992 as an assistant to his cousin Ivan Allan, who won the 1998 G1 Hong Kong Vase with Indigenous (Ire) (Marju {Ire}). After relinquishing his license in 2000, he reapplied and returned to the training ranks in Singapore in 2009. Spalato is by far his most-accomplished runner.
Farraaj ‘Chilling’ in Hong Kong…
Farraaj (Ire) (Dubai Destination) may ring a bell for American racegoers, as the 2013 G3 Winter Derby winner made the trip over to the U.S. for last year’s GI Pacific Classic, finishing 11th of 12 behind Game On Dude (Awesome Again) after taking some action at 7-1.
Owned by Sheikh Ahmed al Maktoum, the 5-year-old has eased back into European turf racing this season, and successfully at that, with handicap victories at Epsom June 6 and in the valuable John Smith’s Cup H. at York July 12 before faltering in fourth as the favorite in the G3 Strensall S. back at the latter track Aug. 23.
Sent to Australia, Farraaj last raced in the G1 Mackinnon S. at Flemington Nov. 1 and nearly overcame the 14 hole, finishing 3/4 of a length behind Happy Trails (Aus) (Good Journey) in third.
Prepping for Sunday’s G1 Hong Kong Cup, Farraaj was given a solid workout Tuesday beneath Andrea Atzeni, going six furlongs in 1:24.6 with the final 400 meters in :23.5.
“He’s where we want him to be right now,” confirmed Joan Banks, assistant to trainer Roger Varian. “He has been a lot more chilled here than he was in Australia. Over there our other horse seemed to wind him up a bit, but here, he’s settled in with Red Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) in his barn and is much more relaxed.”
Atzeni, visiting Hong Kong on a short-term contract from the HKJC, confirmed, “He’s in good form, very calm, and did what I asked of him very nicely today.”
In one additional Cup workout on the morning, G1 Australian Derby hero Criterion (NZ) (Sebring {Aus}) finished his preparations by closing off a 1200-meter gallop with a :23.5 final sectional.
“I was happy with that,” said trainer David Hayes. “He worked home nicely over the last 400 metres and recovered very quickly from the gallop. He’s fit enough. That’ll be his final piece of work for the week.”
Buffering, Ambitious Dragon Ailing, ‘Lacrima’ Out…
Top Australian sprinter Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) did not appear for morning trackwork Tuesday morning, and news later emerged that the G1 Moir S. winner was nursing a foot abscess, casting at least some doubt on his participation in Sunday’s G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint. However, trainer Robert Heathcote tried to allay fears when addressing the media a bit later in the day.
“I was concerned when we arrived at the stables around 7:30 this morning and the horse could hardly put his foot down,” the conditioner explained. “But the farrier was there in no time and did a brilliant job. He took the shoe off, found the source of the problem straight away; drained the infected area and the relief for the horse was almost instantaneous.”
He continued, “We then gave the hoof a good clean, a good soak and we were walking him again within half an hour. He should be fine and we might even be able to shoe him again this afternoon. I suspect he’d be fine to work [Wednesday], but we might play it safe and work him Thursday morning. We had planned to gallop him this morning on the turf, but working him later in the week is not a problem. No drama, I think he’ll be fine.”
Less encouraging was news that former two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) was off in his right front leg as the result of a possible foot infection. The 8-year-old, who has made an admirable comeback from a career-threatening tendon injury and was most recently third to ante-post favorite Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile Nov. 23, will be monitored over the coming days by HKJC veterinarians.
The Japanese contingent is down to nine horses after Meiner Lacrima (Jpn) (Chief Bearhart) pulled up lame following a Tuesday morning workout and was declared from his intended appearance in the G1 Hong Kong Cup.