By Alan Carasso
Three winters ago, Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) and Joao Moreira got the better of Designs on Rome, ridden by Tommy Berry, in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, but the talented Australian jockey exacted his revenge in the final two legs of the Classics with a pair of rides aboard Designs on Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) that were tactically flawless. The two reinsmen were at it again in Sunday's Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup, and Berry's decision making atop Helene Paragon made the difference.
Drawn widest of the QSJC octet, Berry dropped Helene Paragon straight out the back of the field, a couple of spots behind Able Friend, who held firm at odds-on before drifting out to just over even money at the off. On the business end of things, defending champion Contentment (Aus) (Hussonet) was pressed along by Blizzard (Aus) (Starcraft {NZ}), and things remained more or less static into the turn. That is until Berry, as was his custom in the Classic series against Able Friend, made a decisive move at the 600m, leaving Moreira no other option but to go for Able Friend sooner than he wanted. The one-time Horse of the Year appeared to have the answers, at first at a minimum, as he kicked hard and raced stride for stride inside of Helene Paragon as they raced to the lead in unison with a furlong to travel. But the latter always seemed to have Able Friend's measure and was edging clear at the line to lead home a 1-2-3 finish for the John Moore stable. Joyful Trinity (Ire) (Zanzibari) came on late for third. It was the second Group 1 score in succession for the former Spanish-based galloper.
With Berry in the irons, Helene Paragon was a creditable fifth in the 2016 Hong Kong Derby (2000m), but has since found a home at these shorter trips. Troubled in the run when seventh to Beauty Only (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Mile Nov. 20, he may have turned the tables in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile Dec. 11 but for some stretch traffic. With Berry back in town for one of his frequent winter visits last time, Helene Paragon had clearer sailing and went on to a 3/4-length defeat of Joyful Trinity for a maiden Group 1 in the Stewards' Cup.
Once rumoured as a hope for the G1 Dubai Turf, Helene Paragon was under consideration for the G1 Doncaster Mile at The Championships, but quarantine restrictions have put pay to those plans. Connections gave Moore the green light to run Helene Paragon Sunday following the Thursday passing of one of his owners, Wilson Woo.
Pedigree Notes:
Helene Paragon's listed-winning sire is reportedly responsible for just two foals lifetime, while his sire Golan (Ire) sired Beauty Flash (NZ), winner of the 2010 Hong Kong Mile and the Stewards' Cup the following month.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
QUEEN'S SILVER JUBILEE CUP-G1, HK$10,000,000 (£1,034,667/€1,219,825/A$1,678,997/US$1,288,502), Sha Tin, 2-26, 3yo/up, 1400mT, 1:21.31, gd.
1–HELENE PARAGON (FR), 126, h, 5, by Polan (Fr)
1st Dam: High Zaff (GB), by High Chaparral (Ire)
2nd Dam: Zaffrani (Ire), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Zariysha (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
O-Sir Po-shing & Lady Woo, Wilson, Jackson & Dawson Woo;
B-A Jordan Torres; T-John Moore; T-Tommy Berry;
HK$5,700,000. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 23-8-4-2,
HK$26,060,000. *Formerly Sir Andrew (Fr). Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A.
2–Able Friend (Aus), 126, g, 7, Shamardal–Ponte Piccolo (NZ),
by Volksraad (GB). (A$550,000 Ylg '11 INGEAS). O-Dr & Mrs
Cornel Li; B-Ramsey Pastoral Co Pty Ltd (Qld); T-John Moore;
HK$2,200,000.
3–Joyful Trinity (Ire), 126, g, 5, Zanzibari–Bargouzine, by
Stravinsky. O-Lai Wai Chi; B-Ecurie Peregrine SAS; T-John
Moore; HK$1,000,000.
Margins: 3/4, NK, NK. Odds: 5-1, 11-10, 15-2.
Also Ran: Blizzard (Aus), Contentment (Aus), Giant Treasure, Sun Jewellery (Aus), Strathmore (Aus).
Click for the HKJC chart, PPs and sectional times. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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