Stakes Runners Trial at Sha Tin

With the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000mT) and the G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1400mT) inside of two weeks away, several horses pointing for those events took part in Tuesday morning trials at Sha Tin.

The first heat of the day was contested up the 1000-meter straight course and was won by the Beauty Flame (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), who made every yard of the running to score by a half-length over former Roger Charlton galloper Dundonnell (First Defence) and a similar distance back to Multivictory (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) in third. While that trio is headed to the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal) and Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) were using the trial as a steppingstone to the Gold Cup. Dan Excel, a two-time winner of the G1 SAI Cup in Singapore at the 10-furlong distance, raced prominently before finishing a close fourth, while Designs On Rome was always outpaced at this minimum distance and ran to be sixth of the septet, beaten nearly nine lengths before galloping out with good energy (VIDEO).

“He needed that barrier trial–he needed a good blow to put him right for next time.” said trainer John Moore of the 2015 Gold Cup hero, who is without a win in three starts this term following minor surgery last May. “He's going in the right direction in respect of defending his Gold Cup crown. I'm very happy with him. He's definitely the horse to beat if he brings his 'A' game.”

The Gold Cup is also the destination for the consistent Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), who took a 1200-meter trial over the Sha Tin all-weather in the time of 1:10.43, besting A$1-million Inglis Easter Yearling grad People's Knight (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) by a neck (VIDEO).

“It was a small field–he's getting a bit older now so he probably wants to be striding out and getting a blow into him, which is the purpose of the trial,” commented regular rider Neil Callan. “He only ran a couple of weeks ago [fifth in the G1 Stewards' Cup], so I think that will just blow him out and put him spot on. He feels really well and looks good so I'm very happy with him.”