With a little less than two weeks remaining to the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m), pro-tem divisional favorite Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss) got an interim pipe-opener in Tuesday morning's first trial up the 1000-metre straight at Sha Tin Racecourse.
The impressive last-out winner of the Hong Kong Classic Mile Jan. 22, Rapper Dragon jumped alertly from the one hole (furthest from the stands) and raced in the centre of the track throughout the trial while never asked a serious question by regular rider Joao Moreira. Always traveling comfortably and appearing well within himself, the chestnut came home fifth, just over three lengths behind the stakes-winning galloper Packing Llaregyb (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) in the time of :59.35 (video).
“I'm very pleased with Rapper Dragon's trial–everything's going the same direction, work-wise, as it was leading into his last win,” commented trainer John Moore. “He'll be cherry ripe by the time he gets to the Classic Cup a week on Sunday.”
In the same batch was Rapper Dragon's G1 Queensland Derby winner Eagle Way (Aus) (More Than Ready), who raced reasonably close to the early pace while a bit keen and was not fully extended in caboosing the field.
“Eagle Way–I was very happy with the trial,” Moore said. “He shows early speed but when it comes to race day you can drop him back in and he'll relax. He's going well.”
The conditioner also provided an update on Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}), a latest third to Rapper Dragon in the Classic Mile and also headed towards the Classic Cup.
“Beauty Generation got galloped on again in the Classic Mile, so he missed a day's work,” Moore explained. “But he was back galloping within a few days and he was out on the training track this morning. I'm happy with the way he's progressing. It was a little bit disappointing that he didn't hit the line a little stronger the other day,” he added. “The way he closed off, he just didn't finish like I'd hoped he would. Maybe that's the best he can do– he doesn't have a long run on him. He's still on track and maybe that little freshen up won't have hurt him.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
