Locals on Trial for Longines HKIR

Werther | HKJC photo

By

While the foreign invitees for the 2017 Longines Hong Kong International Races are set to be revealed this coming Wednesday, Nov. 22, those based locally will get their chance to stake their claims in a trio of course-and-distance preps Sunday afternoon at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Werther (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) was forced to miss last year's International meeting via injury, but there have been no such missteps this time around and the 2016 Horse of the Year is strictly the one to beat in the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup over his pet distance of 2000m. Winner at that trip of the 2016 BMW Hong Kong Derby and G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup, the bay makes his second start of this season, having run his final 400m in :22.21 en route to a sixth under 132 pounds in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy H. Oct. 22. Tommy Berry has a return call Sunday.

“We're expecting a bold showing from him now,” the Aussie told the HKJC notes team. “He is now up to a suitable distance and he's fitter with the one run under his belt and the trial in between. We're very happy with him.”

South African G1SP Nassa (SAf) (Dynasty {SAf}, 115 pounds) charged home to grab front-running Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko, 123) in the G3 Sa Sa Ladies' Purse H. and both back up on two weeks' rest to take a crack at level weights and in receipt of five pounds from Werther.

Mr Stunning (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) is Hong Kong's top-rated galloper on 130 and is part of a terrific field set to tackle the G2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint. The 5-year-old overcame a disappointing return to the races Oct. 1 to outfinish Lucky Bubbles (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}) to win the G2 Premier Bowl H. at a juicy 8-1, but will have to repeat the dose without the services of top jockey Joao Moreira. The 'Magic Man' opts for stablemate Thewizardofoz (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), no better than ninth in the Premier Bowl, but very impressive in taking out a recent barrier trial on the dirt that has Moreira full of confidence.

“He has one run under his belt and that's what he needed to be competitive,” he told HKJC's Edward Sadler. “I don't think it was a bad run. He came home strong and he should be better now.”

The G2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile is the last of the three preps and attracts its defending champion Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who followed up with victory in the Hong Kong Mile. The 6-year-old has lacked his prior spark in finishing unplaced behind Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) in his two runs this term, including a ninth in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy H. Oct. 22. The 'now' horse appears to be Seasons Bloom (Aus) (Captain Sonador {Aus}), who flashed home to take a Class 1 over 1200m on his first start this prep Sept. 3 ahead of a fast-closing second to Beauty Generation in the G3 Celebration Cup H. Oct. 1. Moreira has the call for Danny Shum.

PPs: Jockey Club Cup  Jockey Club Sprint  Jockey Club Mile

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.