By Alan Carasso
On paper–and on the Hong Kong tote–Sunday's Jockey Club Cup was anticipated to be a three-way go between the senior citizens of the local horse population: favored Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}). In the end, just the latter showed up in his first race back, and it was the well-backed contrarian Secret Weapon (GB) (Choisir {Aus}) who landed the spoils.
Winner of a domestic Group 3 last February, Secret Weapon was 11th to Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in the G1 Champions Mile in May and filled third spot in two subsequent tries at Group 3 level to close the season. His losing streak had stretched to seven with two fruitless tries this term, but he was a sneaky-good fourth after striking trouble in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse H. Nov. 6, doing his best work once clear, and a good many were ready to adopt a glass-half-full approach Sunday.
The mount of Nash Rawiller, Secret Weapon was content to drop back and settled third from the rear as Helene Happy Star (Ire) (Zamindar) set the pace from Anticipation (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Blazing Speed slipstreamed the latter from fourth, Military Attack found a good spot on the rail from midfield and Designs On Rome could see them all, as is his custom. The race favorite got his cue 800m from home and began to advance around the field, but the genuine tempo made life tough on him, and meanwhile, Secret Weapon had found himself shuffled back to last midway on the second turn. Helene Happy Star led them off the final corner, but was soon besieged, as Blazing Speed and Eastern Express (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) came with their bids. But, patiently handled by Rawiller, Secret Weapon sluiced through a gap between Eastern Express and Military Attack 200m out and kicked home best of all to score from Flame Hero (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), who outfinished Military Attack for second. Blazing Speed was fifth and Designs On Rome last of the nine.
“Everyone's seen this horse at his best, and when he can get that uninterrupted run and have an opportunity to let go like that, he's a very high-class horse, and that's what he proved today,” said the winning rider, who is set to miss the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup via suspension. “He was very strong over the 2000 metres today and you'd still expect there to be some improvement for International day,” he added.
Military Attack pulled up lame in his left fore and was to be assessed over the coming days, while there were no significant findings for Designs On Rome.
Pedigree Notes:
Produced by a half-sister to French Group 3 winner Airmail Special (Ire) (Peintre Celebre), Secret Weapon hails from the further female family of G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches victrix Torrestrella (Ire) (Orpen). Secret Weapon's half-brother Code Red (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) is a two-time black-type winner in England, including the 2015 Listed Investec Surrey S. at Epsom for trainer William Muir.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
LONGINES JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$4,000,000 (£413,937/€481,442/A$689,859/US$515,655), Sha Tin, 11-20, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:00.92, gd.
1–@SECRET WEAPON (GB), 123, g, 6, by Choisir (Aus)
1st Dam: Just Devine (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Shirley Blue (Ire), by Shirley Heights (GB)
3rd Dam: Blue River (Fr), by Riverman
O-Leung Lun Ping; B-Carmel Stud; T-Dennis Yip; J-Nash Rawiller; HK$2,280,000. Lifetime Record: 21-7-0-4, HK$8,672,670. *1/2 to Code Red (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}), MSW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Flame Hero (NZ), 123, g, 7, Savabeel (Aus)–Rhysess (NZ), by Pins (Aus). (NZ$28,000 Ylg '11 NZBSEL; NZ$240,000 2yo '11 NZBRTR). O-Amy Li Chi Lin, April Tsui Siu Yee & Ben Tsui Siu Lin; B-C B Turner & Waikato Stud 2001 Ltd; T-L Ho; HK$880,000.
3–Military Attack (Ire), 123, g, 8, Oratorio (Ire)–Almaaseh (Ire), by Dancing Brave. (€40,000 Ylg '09 GOFORB). O-Canny Leung Chi Shan; B-P E Banahan; T-Caspar Fownes; HK$460,000.
Margins: 1HF, NK, HF. Odds: 6-1, 79-1, 14-5.
Also Ran: Helene Happy Star (Ire), Blazing Speed (GB), Eastern Express (Ire), Anticipation (Ire), Helene Super Star, Designs On Rome (Ire).
Click for the HKJC chart and VIDEO. HKJC PPs. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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