By Alan Carasso
Just one overseas raider as proved equal to the task in the G1 Champions Mile in the history of the event–Variety Club (SAf) (Var) in 2014–but Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), who clinched Japanese Horse of the Year honors with his victory in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile over the course and distance some 140 days ago, looks strictly the one they'll have to beat Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin.
A modest winner in two of his first seven trips to the post, Maurice took flight in 2015, scoring in each of six racetrack appearances. He came through the grades and did so in such convincing fashion that he was sent off the 27-10 favorite for Japan's premier early-season mile, the G1 Yasuda Kinen in June. After prevailing by a neck in a swift 1:32 flat, he was rested, but showed few signs of rust in annexing Kyoto's G1 Mile Championship Nov. 22 and was last seen besting Giant Treasure (Mizzen Mast) and Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) in the December feature. His trackwork in the week since his arrival has been sensational and he figures a strong favorite against a solid field.
Giant Treasure proved his Mile effort was no fluke by holding out Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) in the G1 Stewards' Cup before failing to see out 10 furlongs when ninth to Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup Feb. 28. He has trialled very nicely since, including a 'defeat' of Packing Pins (NZ) (Pins {Aus}) over the all-weather Apr. 19, and is back to his preferred trip Sunday.
Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was third to Contentment (Aus) (Hussonet) in the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup over 1400 metres Feb. 28, but bounced back to something approaching his best with a 1 1/4-length defeat of Rewarding Hero (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the Chairman's Trophy over the metric mile Apr. 3. Contentment, a close third in the Stewards' Cup ahead of his smart QSJC score, was a troubled fifth behind Beauty Only last time. Though he was not disgraced when fifth on international day, there is some chance he is better over slightly shorter.
Godolphin fields two runners in the Champions Mile from different parts of the wold. Safety Check (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) arrives on the heels of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, having successfully defended his titles in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort and G2 Zabeel Mile. He zipped up the straight very nicely earlier this week and rates a rough place chance. Bow Creek (Ire) (Shamardal) looked to have the world ahead of him when winning the G2 Peter Young S. at Caulfield Feb. 27, but has failed to make an impression at Group 1 level, including a distant fifth to Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G1 Doncaster Mile H. Apr. 2. A sounder surface could see a better result in Hong Kong.
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