By Alan Carasso
With the Longines Hong Kong International Races now in the rear-view, attention on the local racing scene turns to the 4YO Classics, which begin with the Hong Kong Classic Mile Jan. 27. Irish import Decrypt (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) gets his first chance to lay claims to a berth in the series when he makes his Hong Kong debut in Sunday's Class 2 Lukfook Jewellery Cup H. (1400m) at Sha Tin.
Bred by Equine Origin Ltd., Decrypt cost £55,000 at the 2017 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and was owned and trained by Paddy Twomey during the European portion of his career. The gray colt was a first-out second on Irish Guineas weekend in 2018, then graduated 13 days later, leaving future G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas runner-up Lady Kaya (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) a length behind in third. An easy three-length winner on his return to action at Cork Apr. 20, he outran odds of 20-1 to be along for third in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas behind Phoenix of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (see below). The latter would go on to amplify the Guineas form with subsequent victories in the G1 Prix Jean Prat and G1 Sussex S. later in the summer.
WATCH: Decrypt battles to a third-place effort in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas
Decrypt was subsequently sold to Hong Kong owner Albert Hung–who campaigned the ill-fated, but history-making 2017 Hong Kong Derby hero Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss)–and has turned the colt over to Frankie Lor, who swept all three legs of the 2019 Classic series, including the Derby with Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}). Decrypt makes his Hong Kong debut as the 123-pound top-weight off a mark of 93 and has the services of Zac Purton Sunday afternoon. The Australian rider was in the irons for a 1200-metre barrier trial on the all-weather Dec. 3 in which he finished fifth, less than four lengths behind Hong Kong's top dirt horse, Elusive State (Aus) (All American {Aus}) (video).
“He feels like he's going to need a mile and maybe 2000 [metres], so the distance on Sunday might be a bit short for him,” Purton told the HKJC's Declan Schuster.”He's only small so hopefully there's a little bit of pace on, he can run on and show us that he's going to be a Hong Kong Derby chance.”
The Lukfook Jewellery Cup is carded as the day's eighth race, with post time set for 7.50am BST.
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