By Alan Carasso
Atoning for the first defeat of his career when a slow-starting runner-up in the always-salty Class 1 on the International Races undercard Dec. 10, Nothingilikemore (Aus) (Husson {Arg}) rewarded those that crushed him into $1.60 (3-5) favouritism with a thoroughly convincing defeat of Singapore Sling (SAf) (Philanthropist) in Sunday's Hong Kong Classic Mile, the first leg of the 4-year-old Classics at Sha Tin Racecourse. The series continues with the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) Feb. 18 and concludes with the richest domestic event on the annual calendar, the HK$18-million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) Mar. 18.
Whereas he hopped as the gates flew back six weeks ago, Nothingilikemore was one of the first out of the machine this time around and looked to be tugging for his head a bit early as G1 Queensland Derby hero Ruthven (Aus) (Domesday {Aus}) defaulted into a leading role no one apparently wanted. The progressive Morethanlucky (NZ) (Per Incanto) did the chasing from second and Singapore Sling fell into a perfect spot in fourth, while the chalk eventually settled better for Joao Moreira and drifted back to a position behind midfield. The tempo remained ordinary through the middle stages, and while Ruthven was clinging onto the lead nearing the lane, Nothingilikemore was finding his best stride, albeit well away from the inside. Five deep off the home corner, he descended on the leading rank, overtook Morethanlucky at the 300m and edged clear from Singapore Sling late, with a final section in a smart :22.90. The longer-winded Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Rivet (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) turned in good trials from the back in fourth and fifth, respectively.
“He keeps on surprising me every time that he goes out there. Each time that Nothingilikemore races, he's more relaxed,” Moreira, who won last year's Classic Mile atop Rapper Dragon (Aus) (Street Boss {Aus}) and the 2013 running with Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal), told HKJC's David Morgan. “I was a bit concerned on the bend because he was kind of off the bridle, but I know him very well and I knew that once I pulled him on the outside and gave him a clear run he'd dash home.”
For trainer John Size, unsaddling the Classic Mile winner for the second time in three years, there is little concern that his charge will see out the longer trips going forward.
“He's going to run well in the 1800,” Size said. “The tempo's going to be a bit different, but he seems to be able to adapt to that once he settles and follows horses. I don't think that will worry him and I'd envisage that he'd go to the Derby as well.”
Pedigree Notes:
Nothingilikemore was completing a weekend stakes double for his Aquis Farm-based stallion after Obrigado Mais (Aus) (ex Boganaire) took out Saturday's Spring Trophy across the Pearl River in Macau. He is one of 13 black-type winners for Husson. Nothingilikemore's yearling half-brother by Pluck is consigned by Toolooganvale Farm as lot 466 to the upcoming Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Katisam is represented by a 2-year-old colt of this year by Pluck and delivered a filly by Sizzling (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) in 2017.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
HONG KONG CLASSIC MILE-LR, HK$10,000,000 (£921,525/€1,045,587/A$1,600,544/US$1,279,114), Sha Tin, 1-21, NH/SH4yo, 1600mT, 1:34.24, gd.
1–NOTHINGILIKEMORE (AUS), 126, g, 4, by Husson (Arg)
1st Dam: Katisam (Aus), by Lonhro (Aus)
2nd Dam: Denise's Diamond (Aus), by Flying Spur (Aus)
3rd Dam: Gladden (Aus), by Covetous (Aus)
1ST STAKES WIN. (A$40,000 Ylg '15 INGSYD). O-Happy Corner Syndicate; B-S Smith (NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$5,700,000. Lifetime Record: 7-6-1-0, HK$10,944,400.
2–Singapore Sling (SAf), 126, g, 4, Philanthropist–Sing Dixie Sing (SAf), by Western Winter. (R225,000 Ylg '15 CAPJAN). O-Nikki Ng Mien Hua; B-Drakenstein Stud (Nom: Mrs G A Rupert); T-Tony Millard; HK$2,200,000.
3–Morethanlucky (NZ), 126, g, 4, Per Incanto–Viking Angel (NZ), by Viking Ruler (Aus). (NZ$65,000 Ylg '15 NZBFES; NZ$210,000 2yo '15 NZBRTR). O-Funs of Family Racing Syndicate; B-A O, D, J & R Burton, J, Mrs L A & Miss M J Hunt; T-Frankie Lor; HK$1,150,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 3-5, 19-1, 44-5.
Also Ran: Exultant (Ire), Rivet (Ire), Grand Chancellor (NZ), Ruthven (Aus), Patriot Hero (Ire), Lockheed (GB), Dragon Lips (Ger), Time To Celebrate (NZ). Scratched: Good Standing (Aus).
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