Trainer Aidan O'Brien entered Sunday's Hong Kong International Races meeting with a goose-egg in 14 starts, but in the span of some 148 seconds, Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) wiped that off, in so doing also becoming the first 3-year-old male to win the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase.
Winner at two of the G2 Vintage S. at Glorious Goodwood, Highland Reel was not spotted again until this past May. Despite the lengthy absence, he was sent off the favorite in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, but could do no better than sixth, then was a good second to New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club May 31. Following an unplaced run in the G1 Irish Derby June 27, he proved too classy for his eight rivals in the G3 Gordon S. back at Goodwood July 29 before returning on about two weeks' rest to win the GI Secretariat S. In a driving rainstorm Aug. 15. Fifth and well held by Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the G1 Irish Champion S. Sept. 12, he was a strong third in the G1 Cox Plate Oct. 24.
Backed from about 7-1 into 32-10 second favoritism behind defending race champion Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Highland Reel showed the most initiative down the stretch for the first time as nothing really made any serious bid to lead. He took them into the first turn as Cirrus des Aigles (Fr) (Even Top {Ire}) pressed forward to do the chasing, but sensing that the pace was not to his liking, Harbour Master (Mizzen Mast) was let loose nearing the mid-point of the race and put a couple of lengths on his rivals. Ryan Moore remained a cool customer down the side, waiting for Harbour Master to come back to the field, but Vincent Cheminaud set Flintshire alight four deep at the head of the lane and looked on his way to a second straight score. But Moore had obviously saved something for the real running, produced Highland Reel to the inside of Flintshire and galloped home a comfortable winner. Dariyan (Fr) (Shamardal), a son of 2009 Vase heroine Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk), came from midpack to be third, as Ming Dynasty (Fr) (King's Best) made it a one-three-four finish for the sophomore set.
“He did it all very easily, he's turned into a good horse,” said Moore. “He's improved immensely since the start of the year. He's had a hard schedule but he keeps getting better. When Flintshire came by me I thought I was in trouble but as soon as that horse folded a little bit he dug in and the way he's improved through the year, it's quite something.”
The winner's multiple Group 2-placed dam, is a full-sister to five-time Australian Group 1 winner Elvstroem (Aus) as well as champion Haradasun (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus). Highland Reel's full-brother Idaho (Ire) earned TDN Rising Star status with a first-out victory at The Curragh Oct. 13 and was last seen finishing fourth in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud Nov. 1. Hveger has produced fillies by Galileo (Ire) in each of the last two seasons.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
LONGINES HONG KONG VASE-G1, HK$16,500,000 (US$2,128,911), Sha Tin, 12-13, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:28.43, gd.
1–HIGHLAND REEL (IRE), 121, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Hveger (Aus) (MGSP-Aus), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Circles of Gold (Aus), by Marscay (Aus)
3rd Dam: Olympic Aim (Aus), by Zamazaam (Fr)
O-Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor & Mrs John Magnier; B-Hveger Syndicate; T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore; HK$9,405,000. Lifetime Record: GISW-US, GSW-Eng, G1SP-Fr & Aus, 11-5-2-1. *1/2 to Valdemoro (Aus) (Encosta de Lago {Aus}), MG1SP-Aus, $337,006. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
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2–Flintshire (GB), 126, h, 5, Dansili (GB) –Dance Routine (GB), by Sadler's Wells. O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd; T-Andre Fabre; HK$3,630,000.
3–Dariyan (Fr), 121, c, 3, Shamardal–Daryakana (Fr), by Selkirk. O-His Highness the Aga Khan; B-His Highness the Aga Khan's Studs SC; T-Alain de Royer-Dupre; HK$1,650,000.
Margins: 1HF, 1HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 32-10, 5-2, 9-1.
Also Ran: Ming Dynasty (Fr), Helene Happy Star (Ire), Dominant (Ire), Preferment (NZ), Khaya (NZ), Ensuring (GB), Cirrus des Aigles (Fr), Cannock Chase, Harbour Master, Helene Super Star.
Click for the HKJC.com chart and VIDEO. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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