More Than Ready's Eagle Way Stays Best in Queen Mother Mem'l Cup

HKJC photo

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Eagle Way provided trainer John Moore with a landmark Group 1 win as an owner in the 2016 Queensland Derby a little less than a year ago, and the chestnut was imported to embark on a Hong Kong Derby campaign as one of a gaggle of top prospects for the yard. Though he couldn't quite match up with 4-year-old series winner and stablemate Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss), Eagle Way always figured to improve at slightly longer trips, and he stamped himself a stayer of the future with a good-looking win in Sunday's G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup H.

Sixth in the Derby and a latest second to Beauty Generation (NZ) (Road to Rock {Aus}) in a 2200m Class 2 Apr. 9, Eagle Way took advantage of his low draw and was guided down onto the fence by Joao Moreira to settle slightly behind centerfield as Circuit Hassler (NZ) (Shocking {Aus}) crossed and cleared from gate 11 and established a decent pace. Supreme Profit (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}) middle-moved to inject a bit more speed with a little more than five furlongs to race, but Moreira was content to bide his time before easing Eagle Way out to the three path on the turn, following the move of the commonly owned Dinozzo (Ire) (Lilbourne Lad {Ire}).

Asked for his best once heads were turned for home, Eagle Way showed a good turn of foot, but whereas he'd previously peaked on his run over the slightly shorter trips, he was able to better sustain his momentum and held sway for the victory. Helene Charisma, last year's G1 Grand Prix de Paris (2400m) winner, battled on well from the back of the pack, as did Gold Mount. Dinozzo and Prawn Baba (Aus) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) completed a top-five sweep for this year's Classic generation, hinting at a strengthening of the local staying ranks for the next few seasons. Beauty Generation could not capitalize on a perfect trip and finished eighth.

“He is a serious horse, a serious stayer,” said Moreira of the winner. “He has shown for weeks now that 2400m is his goal, and he showed that already when he won the Queensland Derby. Today, we saw the best of him so far in Hong Kong, but I think John can still improve him. He is fit, but I think that with John's talent as a trainer, he can take the horse to the next level where he will be a Group 1-quality horse.”

Moore suggested that both Eagle Way and Helene Charisma could head to Melbourne later this year for races like the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October and the G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November.

“They are the type of horses that could be Melbourne-bound because they're dead-set mile-and-half to two-mile horses,” he told the HKJC's Andrew Hawkins. “Of the two that fought it out, it was a delight to watch–two very, very good stayers. I don't want to jump the start but they're ideal for Melbourne. The Hong Kong off-season doesn't make it easy with lead-ups, but they are the sort of horses you'd want down there. They're pretty decent.”

Pedigree Notes:
In addition to the pair of stakes winners listed above, Eagle Way is kin to SW Soaressa (Aus) (Twining), the dam of dual Group 3 winner Thermal Current (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Dam Wedgetail Eagle, a half to SW La Viscomtessa (Aus) (Viscount {Aus}) and to South African GSP Big On Broadway (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus), is the dam of the current 2-year-old Wedgebrook (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) and a weanling colt by Choisir (Aus). She was most recently bred back to More Than Ready on a late November cover.

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
QUEEN MOTHER MEMORIAL CUP H.-G3, HK$3,000,000 (£299,146/€354,354/A$516,638/US$385,536), Sha Tin, 4-30, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:25.48, gd/fm.
1–EAGLE WAY (AUS), 127, g, 4, by More Than Ready
1st Dam: Wedgetail Eagle (Aus), by Lure
2nd Dam: La Favorita, by Seattle Dancer
3rd Dam: Golden Rhyme (Ire), by Dom Racine (Fr)
(A$200,000 Ylg '14 INGEAS). O-Siu Pak Kwan; B-Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty Ltd (NSW); T-John Moore; J-Joao Moreira; HK$1,710,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Aus, 19-6-3-0, HK$7,728,410. *1/2 to Soaressa (Aus) (Twining), SW-Aus, $177,425; Impressive Eagle (Aus) (Rubiton {Aus}), MSW & MGSP-Aus, $262,417; and Assertive Eagle (Aus) (Danewin {Aus}), SW & MGSP, $275, 379. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Helene Charisma (Fr), 124, c, 4, Air Chief Marshal (Ire)–Lidana (Ire), by King's Best. O-Sir Po-shing & Lady Woo, Jackson Woo and the Exors of the Estate of the Late Wilson Koo; B-Franklin Finance; T-John Moore; HK$660,000.
3–Gold Mount (GB), 122, g, 4, Excellent Art (GB)–Dolcetto (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (10,000gns Ylg '14 TATOCT). O-Pan Sutong; B-Mrs L H Field; T-Tony Cruz; HK$345,000.
Margins: 3/4, 1 3/4, HF. Odds: 11-10, 7-1, 11-2.
Also Ran: Dinozzo (Ire), Prawn Baba (Aus), Andoyas (Ger), Supreme Profit (Aus), Beauty Generation (NZ), Circuit Hassler (NZ), Happilababy (NZ), Basic Trilogy (NZ), Helene Super Star, Anticipation (Ire).
Click for the HKJC.com chart, sectional timing and PPs. VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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