By Alan Carasso
Classic Emperor (Medaglia d'Oro), perfect in two starts over route distances on the all-weather (i.e. dirt) track at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong, will try to earn an invitation to the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night when he goes postward in a 1600m handicap that goes as race six Thursday evening (9:25 p.m./12:25 p.m. ET) at Meydan Racecourse.
Trained by Chris So, the $110,000 Keeneland September yearling turned 130,000gns Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up graduate, won four of his first 25 starts on the grass in Hong Kong, but has blossomed with a switch to the main track. The 6 3/4-length winner of a Class 2 in his dirt debut going an extended mile Nov. 1 (video), he was third over an insufficient 1200m Dec. 3, but most recently overcame a 131-pound impost to annex a 1650-meter handicap by a half-length Jan. 13 (video), earning a crack at the world stage.
Classic Emperor, a son of 2009 GII Matron S. third Worship the Moon (Malibu Moon) and bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III and John D. Fielding, will be ridden by Derek Leung and will carry 131 pounds from a low draw.
“He did most of his work when he was in Hong Kong, so he hasn't needed much here, just enough to tune him up,” So told the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Andrew Hawkins. “I'm very happy with barrier two, it's a one-turn mile here instead of two turns like Sha Tin so the gate isn't as important on paper but it means that he should be able to jump out somewhere handy and not have to do too much work, hopefully.”
Leung, who currently sits fifth in the very competitive Hong Kong jockeys' premiership, is relishing the opportunity ahead.
“It is my first time to ride a Hong Kong horse overseas, and I am very honoured to represent Hong Kong,” Leung said. “I'm grateful to the owner and the trainer for giving me this great opportunity. I just want to prove myself–I know I am a very good jockey, and so I want to take this chance to show people outside Hong Kong who I am. I'll be doing plenty of study and homework and hopefully we can show our best.”
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