By Alan Carasso
With reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) forced to miss the rest of the current racing season due to injury, there is a void to be filled among the leading local milers. Sunday's G1 Stewards' Cup over 1600 meters, the first leg of the older Triple Crown, will provide some answers as to just who might step forward to fill those considerable shoes.
Joao Moreira, the regular rider of Able Friend and who was aboard the champ for his third-place effort behind Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile Dec. 13, renews his partnership with Contentment (Aus) (Hussonet), one of two in the race for trainer John Size. The 'Magic Man' teamed with the 5-year-old for five wins on the bounce, including a 3/4-length defeat of Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the Sha Tin Trophy H. over course and distance Oct. 25. He's dropped three straight, including a tough-trip third to Multivictory (NZ) (Bachelor Duke) in the 1400-meter Challenge Cup H. Jan. 1, but was giving the winner 18 pounds that day and Contentment retains the confidence of his leading jockey.
“He gives the feel that he can be a Group 1 winner,” said Moreira. “It could be on Sunday or it could take a little bit longer. Right now he's going very well and I'm more than happy to be riding him in the Stewards' Cup. It's an open race and he has a good chance.”
There is perhaps no better conditioner getting horses ready to go first-up than Size, who will also be represented by last year's Hong Kong Derby winner Luger (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}). Subsequently found to have an irregular heartbeat following the G1 Champions Mile last May, Size elected to pass the Hong Kong Mile with Luger, whose trackwork whispers ready.
Somewhat surprisingly, Giant Treasure (Mizzen Mast) finished best of the locals in the Hong Kong Mile–albeit with a good inside trip–a spot ahead of Able Friend, who was slightly lame the morning of the race. Christophe Soumillon, fresh off his victory atop Forries Waltz (SAf) (Greys Inn) in Thursday's G2 Al Rashidiya S. has the call for trainer Richard Gibson.
As is the local custom, some of Hong Kong's top middle-distance horses show up in the Stewards' Cup prepping for races over further down the road. Blazing Speed (GB) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}), third, fourth and sixth, respectively, in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup over 2000 meters Dec. 13, will be using this as a springboard to the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup next month, though Blazing Speed won this in 2014, defeating Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal).
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