Stewards' Cup 'Werth' the Wait

It's been nearly eight months since he's been seen at the races, but reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is set to make his seasonal debut in the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m), the featured event on the Chinese New Year program Monday at Sha Tin.

The bay, trained by John Moore for owner Johnson Chen, won half of his six trips to the post, highlighted by a narrow victory in the prestigious Hong Kong Derby (2000m) ahead of a jaw-dropping success in the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) over rain-affected turf in April. Werther was put away following a disappointing third in the G1 Champion and Chater Cup (2400m) last May, with an eye on the 2016 Longines Hong Kong International Races, but he injured a suspensory ligament in late August and was given three months to recover. He has steadily picked up his work since, having registered an easy barrier trial Jan. 17 (video) and pleased Moore with a strong gallop Tuesday, finishing his final quarter-mile in :22.8 in the company of fellow Stewards' Cup chance Joyful Trinity (Ire) (Zanzibari) (24/01, J Moore, from 2:12). Sam Clipperton, who registered his 20th victory of the season Wednesday at Happy Valley, rode Werther in his work and has the call in Monday's test.

“He galloped very, very well with Joyful Trinity,” Moore told HKJC's David Morgan. “Werther worked the place down–Sam was excited to be on him. He's very clean-winded but there'll be further improvement, fitness-wise, from this race. The [G1] Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) next month would be the target for him but how close he is to being primed, well, it's hard to know with him–he does funny things, he's such a quirky horse.”

Those petulant antics include hanging out while cantering, tossing his head and even tossing the occasional rider. Moore acknowledges things have not been straight forward, but remains optimistic.

“As far as I'm concerned, Werther's had an interrupted training programme because of his quirkiness,” the conditioner explained. “After his barrier trial last week, he's as sound as we can have him. His work was impressive [Tuesday] morning considering everything. He's going into this race underdone…but he can still run a big race.”

Werther and Joyful Trinity are set to be joined in the gate by stable companions Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), the former Horse of the Year and winner of the 2015 Stewards' Cup; and fellow former HOTY Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}); as well as Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), winner of last month's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.