Along with Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Military Attack and Blazing Speed represent the three most dominating local figures over the 2000-meter distance in Hong Kong. The latter proved narrowly best over Military Attack in the 2014 running of the Longines Jockey Club Cup, but the 7-year-old, who has had his fair share of age-related problems, turned back the time at least one more time and turned the tables in Saturday's renewal.
The 2012/2013 Horse of the Year off wins in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and G1 SAI Cup in Singapore, Military Attack won the 1600-meter Sha Tin Trophy H. first-up for five months last year, before missing by a head in this and by a flared nostril behind Designs On Rome in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup. Off the board in his next couple, he was runner-up to fellow Hong Konger Dan Excel (Ire) (Shamardal) in Singapore May 17 and was exiting a useful third to up-and-coming miler Contentment (Aus) (Hussonet) in this year's Sha Tin Trophy Oct. 25.
Sent off the second choice in the wagering behind the somewhat surprising favorite Helene Happy Star (Ire) (Zamindar), Military Attack was actually first under the line with a circuit to travel, but Zac Purton was happy to take back from the low draw and allowed Top Act (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}) to take them into the turn. Helene Super Star (War Front) was close, but Khaya (NZ) (Librettist), who made the running in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, burned around them and was in front heading down the back. Purton had Military Attack in a share of fifth, with Blazing Speed, who eased out to a generous 9-2, to his outside. Khaya led rounding the circle, but the big guns were ready to pounce, and Blazing Speed took the first crack at them about four away from the fence with 300 meters to travel. That left Purton and Military Attack to follow that move through, but a gap came to the inside entering the final furlong, and while Blazing Speed–spotting his rival five pounds under the conditions of the race–punched on gamely, Military Attack got the upper hand late and found the line first. Beauty Only, stretching out off a runner-up effort in the Sha Tin Trophy, flashed home from near the tail to be third over a somewhat unlucky Helene Happy Star. Dominant, winner of the 2013 Vase and prepping for that race, finished well for fifth.
“He's had a lot of problems,” said winning trainer Caspar Fownes. “Last season it was his feet and this time it's his joints and a suspensory. It's been a battle, day in and day out. The vets have done a great job, and my team as well, they've worked really hard. Everyone has put in the hours to just get that result for the owners and for the fans in Hong Kong. He's getting on in age but I'm sure he'll still be a force on the big day. I'd say he'll strip a little bit fitter from this run, as I'm sure the second horse will–that was a big run from him, too. I'll try to have him the best I can on the day.”
Saturday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
LONGINES JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$4,000,000 (US$516,121), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 2:01.84, gd.
1–MILITARY ATTACK (IRE), 123, g, 7, by Oratorio (Ire)
1st Dam: Almaaseh (Ire), by Dancing Brave
2nd Dam: Al Bahathri, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
3rd Dam: Chain Store, by Nodouble
(€40,000 Ylg '09 GOFSEP). O-Canny Leung; B-P E Banahan; T-Caspar Fownes; J-Zac Purton; HK$2,280,000. Lifetime Record: Horse of the Year, Ch. Middle Distance Horse-HK, G1SW-HK & Sin, 38-13-7-4. *1/2 to Almaty (Ire) (Dancing Dissident), Hwt.3yo-Ire at 5-7f, GSW-Eng & Ire, $171,616. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Blazing Speed (GB), 128, g, 6, Dylan Thomas (Ire)–Leukippids (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. (45,000gns RNA Wlg '09 TATDEC; 45,000gns RNA Ylg '10 TATOCT; 41,000gns Ylg '10 TATDEC). O-Fentons Racing Syndicate; B-J Sankey; T-Tony Cruz; HK$880,000.
3–Beauty Only (Ire), 123, g, 4, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Goldendale (Ire), by Ali-Royal (Ire). (€72,000 Ylg '12 ITYSEP). O-Eleanor & Patrick Kwok; B-Massimo Parri; T-Tony Cruz; HK$460,000.
Margins: HD, HF, 3/4. Odds: 27-10, 47-10, 32-10.
Also Ran: Helene Happy Star (Ire), Dominant (Ire), Packing Llaregyb (GB),Khaya (NZ), Top Act (NZ), Helene Super Star.
Click for the HKJC.com chart, HKJC.com PPs and VIDEO. Click for the Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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