In eight previous trips to the post this season, Qatar Racing's Trade Storm (GB) (Trade Fair {GB}) has started in Dubai, England, Canada and the United States and gets another stamp on the passport with this trip to Hong Kong for the Mile.
The 6-year-old made four starts at the Dubai International Racing Carnival over the winter, his best finish being a runner-up effort in the G2 Zabeel Mile Feb. 27, and finished runner-up in the G2 Strensall S. at York Aug. 23. He completed a remarkable stakes double for trainer David Simcock in the GI Woodbine Mile, adding to the stable's score with Sheikhzayedroad (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the GI Northern Dancer S. earlier on the Sept. 14 program, then outran his 20-1 odds to round out the trifecta behind French raiders Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein) and Anodin (Fr) (Anabaa) last time out in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile Nov. 1.
Jamie Spencer will be in the saddle for one of the final times in his illustrious career come Sunday, but exercise rider Laura Pike put Trade Storm through his paces Friday morning for some light work on the grass course, where he clocked :27.1 for the final 400 meters.
“That's exactly the pace I wanted her to go at, she gets it just right,” Simcock commented. “I don't like putting a jockey up on the horse before the race, the horse can get lit up and try to go too quick. So far as Sunday is concerned, with this horse you know what you'll get. Wherever he finishes, if it's in sixth or if he's in the shake-up, he'll have run his race and tried his best, he doesn't disappoint you.”
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