Sky
Lantern is the star performer of Britain's champion stable in 2013 so it is
only appropriate that she now finds herself competing for glory in Hong Kong at
the Turf World Championships. What is more there is a live chance - according
to many close observers - that her stunning acceleration will lead to victory
in Sunday's G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.
And
anyone who dismisses this Hong Kong challenge as some afterthought after a
campaign that began in April, and catapulted her into the headlines when she
came fast and late to snatch the 1,000 Guineas from under the noses of her
rivals at Newmarket in May, could not be more wrong.
"It
was always a dream to come to Hong Kong with her and after that Classic win at
Newmarket it became the plan," said owner Ben Keswick as he proudly
watched his three-year-old grey filly enjoy her first encounter with the Sha
Tin track under cloudless skies early on Wednesday morning.
Although
it is fair to say that the filly - who went on to strike more G1 gold in 2013
at both Royal Ascot and Newmarket - did take a few days to adapt to her new
environment after coming off the plane last weekend, it is now all systems go.
"She
was a bit quiet to begin with but she's picked up and she knows why she's
here," observed Keswick, who being based in Hong Kong has an added sense
of anticipation leading up to Sunday's spectacular. Ben's wife Martha added:
"The filly really looks on fire. In fact she was so lively we couldn't get
up close to her!"
Sky
Lantern is trained by Richard Hannon who hands over the reins to his son - also
Richard - on 1 January after a spectacular career that has yield almost 4,200
winners including a hugely successful partnership with Sky Lantern's rider
Richard Hughes, fresh from overseas success in Jockeys' Championships in both
South Africa and Japan since being crowned Britain's champion rider for the
second consecutive season last month.
Recalling
the post-race comments of Hannon senior, Hannon junior and Hughes, over the
course of this year, you will constantly find references to Sky Lantern's
preference for good, fast ground conditions, yet another reason why Sha Tin is
the destination for this super talented filly and why Ascot back in October -
soft ground always being likely for that possible G1 target - was not.
Purchased
for just 75,000 Euros, Sky Lantern took little time to shout herself out as a
bargain, becoming one of Europe's top two-year-olds when blitzing her rivals in
the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in September 2012. That was over
1400m but her three fantastic victories this year have all come over an
identical distance to Sunday's challenge, and, though current plans suggest
that she will be competing over 2000m next year, the decision was made - after
some lengthy discussions - to target the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile rather than
the Cup this time.
Tactics-wise,
Hannon junior commented: "She can stay back or sit handy. We'll leave it
to Hughsie."
Speaking
from Happy Valley on Wednesday evening, Hughes said: "You can't bully this
filly, and a decent gate would be a big help."
The rider
will surely have preferred a number a shade lower than the eight allocated at
Thursday's barrier draw ceremony but let's not forget that this jockey is a
master tactician and, in Sky Lantern, he has on his side a grey filly who has
shown her brilliance on a regular basis.
Japanese
star to bow out a winner again in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint?
Japan's
sprint sensation Lord Kanaloa is bound for retirement after he again, on
Sunday, takes on Hong Kong's speed ace Lucky Nine in a showdown at Sha Tin,
which looms as one of the major highlights of the Turf World Championships.
Despite
Lord Kanaloa holding a 2-0 advantage over Lucky Nine (even if there were
excuses for Hong Kong's hero on both occasions), the King Kamehameha entire is
considered no more than his rival's equal according to the official measure,
the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Both are rated at 120.
The
matter could well be decided in Sunday's LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. Victory for
the stud bound Lord Kanaloa would do no harm in enhancing his value in that
arena; might well prompt a hike in his official rating and would certainly have
him in contention for JRA Horse of the Year honours. Not to mention that it
would be well-deserved for a horse who, in terms of top level wins, has
arguably been only outshone by Frankel and Black Caviar since mid 2012.
Lord
Kanaloa has been beaten only once in seven starts, five of them at G1 level,
since September 2012 when his hot streak began with a powerful finishing burst
to claim the Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama.
The
winning run, for the horse who can stalk the speed or close from behind,
continued next start with his comprehensive win in last year's edition of the
LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint. He further underlined his prowess on his return home
by stretching his speed to a major G1 win at 1600m in the Yasuda Kinen, and
this time has journeyed back to Hong Kong with the Sprinters Stakes title again
under his belt.
Whatever
rating number sits beside his name, few would argue with the fact that he has
been one of the very best contemporary racehorses.
But that
wasn't necessarily the expectation from the start of his career according to
Shogo Yasuda who has been looking after the horse in Hong Kong. Shogo is
trainer Takayuki Yasuda's son and training assistant and sometimes track rider.
"When
he came to our stable preparing for his debut at three he had a few physical
issues, mainly as a result of muscle strain. He wasn't flexible and he didn't
give you a great feel even when he was just trotting or hacking," he said.
"So
we decided to change things with him and canter him on the uphill course to
stretch his muscles. I remember the first day we did that very well. It was
amazing the change in his gait. Suddenly his stride was powerful and flexible
which he'd never shown us before. And then he just continued to make impressive
progress, handling every task we gave him."
That
improvement was obvious for all to see when he progressed to better class races
in 2012 and Yasuda says he will always be considered "very special"
by his family and the stable.
"We
have always tried to do the right thing by him and he has repaid us. I've been
riding him for three years and that's been a great pleasure. I appreciate what
he has done and what he has given us," he said.
Yasuda is
looking forward to Sunday's race but is mindful that a win is not always
certain in horse racing especially after the five-year-old drew barrier 12.
"I
understand the quality of the sprint race and the sprinters here in Hong Kong,
and it is not easy to win a race like this. But the owner told us, after the
Sprinters Stakes, that he would like to target Hong Kong as Lord Kanaloa's
final run and he is here in good shape," he said.
As to
Horse of the Year honours in his homeland, Shogo added: "If he is awarded
the JRA Horse of the Year title, we will be greatly honoured and will take our
hats off to him. Obviously we don't know about that yet. Right now we just have
to concentrate on having the horse at his best. We do hope that, on Sunday, he
can produce his best race."
Reactions
to LONGINES Hong Kong International Races barrier draw
Nervous
anticipation always accompanies the barrier draw for the LONGINES Hong Kong
International Races and today's event was no different to previous years with
lady luck playing her hand to the delight or chagrin of gathered connections.
Moonlight
Cloud is one of the standout stars at this year's Turf World Championships and
seemed to draw well enough in gate six for her G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile
assignment on Sunday (8 December), although trainer Freddy Head was not
completely satisfied.
"I
was hoping for an outside draw so number six is not my favourite pick,"
said Head of the French mare, who is aiming for a seventh career G1 triumph.
"There is a lot of speed in the race so hopefully we will get a good
gallop, which is what we are looking for."
Sky
Lantern, whose quartet of career G1 wins includes the 1,000 Guineas in England
this year, will break from gate eight under Richard Hughes.
"One
or two lower would have been helpful but it's OK, I think," said Tony
Gorman, travelling head lad to trainer Richard Hannon.
Hong Kong
horses have won each of the last seven editions of the Mile but a couple of the
home team's big players drew less than ideally. Last year's runner-up, the John
Size-trained Glorious Days, is wide in 13 as he aims for glory first-up this
term, while this season's rising star in Hong Kong, Gold-Fun, will break from
10.
"Obviously
it's not perfect, but he is a very professional horse who has won from a wide
gate and a low gate so I'm not too worried," commented trainer Richard
Gibson.
Gibson
was less content with Akeed Mofeed's draw in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup
(2000m). The 2013 BMW Hong Kong Derby hero drew tight to the fence in gate one.
"Trainers
are never happy and I would have preferred something a bit higher, but better
one than twelve," said Gibson. "The most important thing is the
condition of the horse and he's in good condition."
John
Moore would have preferred to have pulled a lower number than gate nine for
Hong Kong's Horse of the Year, Military Attack, in the Cup.
"It's
a little bit of an awkward gate - it could have been worse but it could have
been better," said Moore. "I don't want Zac (Purton) to have to use
him like the other day but I think my fella would have more tactical speed than
Cirrus Des Aigles on his outside (gate 10)."
Little
Mike's connections, on the other hand, were delighted after the American
raider, winner of the 2012 G1 Breeders' Cup Turf, drew gate six.
"The
six draw is absolutely perfect - couldn't be better," said trainer Dale
Romans. "We've got the speed horse (Tokei Halo) from Japan immediately
inside us to cart us forward. Very happy!"
Moore had
spades of joy in the draw for the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m), the
race in which gate position is most vital. The Hong Kong handler's main hope,
Frederick Engels, was posted in gate four, while Sterling City drew two and
Charles The Great seven of the 14 runners.
"Frederick
Engels has a great draw - all of my sprinters have good draws and there are no
excuses for them," said Moore. "Lord Kanaloa's got the right gate out
wide as far as we're concerned - I wouldn't want him on the inside of us."
Lord
Kanaloa's connections seemed unfazed after being drawn in 12 in his bid for a
back-to-back wins in the race.
"There
was no specific number which we would have liked to draw. We will see the other
competitors around us and talk about the tactics with the jockey," said
Shogo Yasuda, trainer Takayuki Yasuda's son and the five-year-old's work rider.
Meanwhile,
2011 winner Lucky Nine got a rare piece of barrier draw fortune as he was
ideally berthed in gate five on Sunday. It was a different story last year when
Caspar Fownes' stable star's chances were blown by the 12 draw.
"That
opens things up a bit and definitely means my bloke gets his chance now,"
said Lucky Nine's rider, Brett Prebble. "It's a big improvement on last
year and I'm really excited now. There's depth in the race and all the Hong
Kong sprinters are handy but the bottom line, I think, is that Lucky Nine and
Lord Kanaloa are superior."
The
Fugue's connections will likely be smiling after the recent G1 Breeders' Cup
Turf runner-up and triple G1 winner was drawn in gate three for the G1 LONGINES
Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
Dunaden
won the race in 2011 from gate three but will have to overcome a wide draw in
12 if he is to reclaim the title.
"I
am not overly concerned about the draw 12 we have got. Obviously we'd rather
start closer to the rail but it is not such a big deal," said trainer
Mikel Delzangles.
Further
selected barrier draw quotes
LONGINES
Hong Kong Cup
GRANDEUR
(7)
Jeremy
Noseda, trainer: "Somewhere in the middle is fine. It's a solid draw, I am
happy enough with what we have got."
LITTLE
MIKE (6)
Carlos
Vaccarezza, owner: "That seems to me like the perfect spot. Our jockey
(Mike Smith) can ride him whatever way he has to from this post."
SIDE
GLANCE (2)
Andrew
Balding, trainer: "We were lucky with the draw today, I think we are in a
good spot."
TOKEI
HALO (5)
Hisashi
Shimizu, trainer: "The horses next to him are similar types of
competitors, but five is a good draw for him - it should suit his style."
LONGINES
Hong Kong Mile
GOLD-FUN
(10)
Olivier
Doleuze, jockey: "It's no problem. I'll deal with what I have. He's fit,
he's well, he's versatile. It's all good."
GORDON
LORD BYRON (4)
Tom
Hogan, trainer: "I'm very pleased with that - it is better than last year
(6) and we've got options from there."
SHAMALGAN
(14)
Maxime
Guyon, jockey: "With a 14 draw, you have to wait and see for an
opportunity to show up. There is not much else to do about it."
LONGINES
Hong Kong Sprint
CERISE
CHERRY (3) & JOY AND FUN (1)
Derek
Cruz, trainer: "I'm happy - they're both ideally drawn. The pace is on the
outer and we can drop in and race in the mid section. I'm happy with both of
them and Joy and Fun's weight is good so he should be fine going into
this."
JWALA
(14)
Robert Cowell,
trainer: "It is what it is."
LONGINES
Hong Kong Vase
ASUKA
KURICHAN (10)
Naosuke
Sugai, trainer: "The field is not big and it is a 2400m race, so the draw
10 was good. No worries. The horse is number nine and that is my lucky number
anyway, so hopefully that will bring big luck."
EBIYZA
(7)
Alain de
Royer Dupre, trainer: "It was either seven or 12, so I guess we can be
happy. I would have chosen such a draw anyway had it been offered to me.
Perfect really."
LONGINES
Hong Kong International Races Thursday track notes
There was
plenty of action on the grass this morning with nine horses striding across the
Sha Tin turf. Among them was The Fugue, who appeared in public for the first
time since her arrival on Monday and looked content as she cantered a circuit
at a steady tempo.
LONGINES
Hong Kong Vase
DANDINO
(GB)
Worked 1200m
on the all-weather in 1m 27.8s (splits: 30.5, 30.6, 26.7)
DUNADEN
(FR)
Worked
800m on the all-weather in 56.3s (splits: 30.9, 25.4)
Mathieu
Brasme, exercise rider, said: "You can tell that he knows the place from
his behaviour on his first day out. It is like recollecting memories. He was
bucking around this morning and acting like a colt. Considering his last race
is still pretty close, we wanted to leave him a chance to fully recover even
though he had not had a hard race in Japan. The way he behaves now seems to
show that we are right where we want him to be before Sunday's
assignment."
FEUERBLITZ
(GER)
Worked
1200m on the all-weather in 1m 20.0s (splits: 26.6, 27.3, 26.1)
GALILEO
ROCK (IRE)
Breezed
400m on the turf in 29.0s
MOUNT
ATHOS (GB)
Worked
1200m of the turf under Craig Williams in 1m 22.8s (29.4, 28.1, 25.3)
Craig
Williams, jockey, said: "He feels great and he looks better to my eye than
he did in Melbourne. I'm not saying that barrier 22 beat him in the Melbourne
Cup but we might have pressed the first two a bit further with a better draw
and a softer run. I really like the fact that this horse has shown some
versatility now and we're not committed to riding him back."
LONGINES
Hong Kong Sprint
CHARLES
THE GREAT (HK)
Worked
800m on the turf under Douglas Whyte in 51.7s (splits: 28.8, 22.9).
FREDERICK
ENGELS (HK)
Worked
800m on the all-weather track under Zac Purton (in company with Captain Sweet)
in 49.6s (splits: 27.9, 21.7).
Purton
said: "He's been flying on the track and his work was excellent this
morning. He's been a victim of bad barriers and if he draws well he's right
amongst them as I think there's very little between the Hong Kong horses."
GO BABY
GO (HK)
Worked
800m on the all-weather under Tye Angland in 53.3s (splits: 28.6, 24.7)
Angland
said: "He's a little ripper this horse and he's feeling great. He hasn't
done much wrong since I've been associated with him and he's going in with
fresh legs after only two well-spaced recent runs. I'm pretty happy with him
but the draw is going to be critical. I think he's one of the best Hong Kong
chances."
RICH
TAPESTRY (HK)
Worked
800m of the all-weather track under Olivier Doleuze in 51.1s (splits: 27.4,
23.7).
STERLING
CITY (HK)
Worked
800m on the turf under Tommy Berry in 54.6s (splits: 30.7, 23.9)
TIME
AFTER TIME (HK)
Worked
800m on the all-weather under Gerald Mosse in 53.5s (splits: 28.4, 25.1)
LONGINES
Hong Kong Mile
GORDON
LORD BYRON (GB)
Worked
800m on turf in 59.3s (splits: 32.5, 26.8)
Trainer
Tom Hogan said: "It's a good race this year, but we've got a stronger
horse this time. He'll love the ground despite what some of the press say just
because he once won a Group 1 on heavy conditions. He's travelled well to Hong
Kong and did some nice work on the turf today. I hope he can grab some money on
Sunday."
LINTON
(AUS)
Worked
800m on the turf in 55.4s (splits: 31.8, 23.6)
Troy
Corstens, stable manager at Malua Racing: "He was prancing on the track
this morning. To my eye he looks ready to explode and we're really happy with
him. I can't speak highly enough of the facilities here and the help we've had
from the Club and that's reflected in the horse just getting better each
day."
MOONLIGHT
CLOUD (FR)
Exercised
on the all-weather and went 1200m in 1m 27.2s (splits: 34.0, 28.0, 25.2).
Freddy
Head, trainer, said: "There is no need to push her when she's on the
track. She went just fine there, too happy to let the steam go. It was just a
canter but she looked good. As I said, I don't think she will need to go over
the turf but she could have a short speed burst on Saturday morning. "
PURE
CHAMPION (HK)
Worked
1200m on the all-weather in 1m 31.2s (splits: 33.3, 30.4, 27.5)
Trainer
Tony Cruz said: "He pulled up a bit sore in his joints after his last run.
I think he'll run like a different horse this time. If he gets the inside draw
he'll be very close - in the first three or four. He's a good worker - his
track work has been good."
REAL
SPECIALIST (HK)
Jockey
Tye Angland said: "He's been going okay, I think. He's just a bit dour
now, which is why John (Size) is throwing the blinkers on. He's a tough,
grinding horse and if it's a strong run mile, he'll be running on."
SHAMALGAN
(FR)
Worked
1200m on the turf in 1m 30.3s (splits: 32.7, 31.1, 26.5)
SKY
LANTERN (GB)
Cantered
on the all-weather.
Richard
Hannon jr, assistant trainer, said: "She's very fit and is much perkier
now than when she arrived. We've decided to go for the Mile rather the Cup
because there's plenty of time for her to step up to 2000m next season."
XTENSION
(HK)
Zac
Purton, jockey, said: "Obviously his form hasn't been that great in the
last 12 months or so and he might be a little bit one-paced now but his third
in the mile trial was solid and I can tell you he's trained on very well
since."
LONGINES
Hong Kong Cup
BLAZING
SPEED (HK)
Worked
1200m on the all-weather track in 1m 27,7s (splits: 32.2, 29.5, 26.0)
Trainer
Tony Cruz said: "He pulled up with a minor problem after his last run. I
was very disappointed with that race and we've decided to go a bit further with
him. He's won over the trip in England so that's not a worry. He hasn't got the
early speed for the mile and I believe the 2000 metres will be more to his
liking. He has a turn-of-foot and we can run a bit quiet in the race. He
galloped this morning and I'm vey happy with him. His work's been perfect. He
should be a different horse again on the day."
CIRRUS
DES AIGLES (FR)
Stretched
out over 1200m on turf under Christophe Soumillon in 1m 20.8s (splits: 26.8,
28.3, 25.7).
Corine
Barande-Barbe, trainer, said: "He really loves it here. According to his
exercise rider Zoe Gargoulaud, he always acts exactly the same way at exactly
the same points around the track, as if it was his playground. Look at him
staring at the mountains! It is a real shame that he has never really succeeded
at Sha Tin but it has been only a matter of bad luck. The ground here is much
faster than, say, Longchamp in the Autumn, but it is not really an issue
because it bounces. Cirrus can act on it."
Soumillon
said: "I was just about to get him ready to go when he simply pulled off.
There was nothing I could do about it so off we went. He's really raring to go
and it is a very good omen."
ENDOWING
(HK)
Worked
800m on the all-weather under a work rider in 58.3s (splits: 32.3, 26.0)
Jockey Tye
Angland said: "To an extent he's flying under the radar but he's really
proven himself with his past two wins. He's probably got to bring his a-game to
win but he's kept stepping up to the mark lately and he can really let down
when it counts."
GRANDEUR
(GB)
Jeremy
Noseda's charge went out on the all-weather this morning watched by the trainer
and his owner Yvonne Jacques. Grandeur did no more than a routine canter, and
will probably put in a short piece of work on the turf tomorrow according to
connections.
His work
rider said: "The horse is in great order and feels very bright this
morning."
LITTLE
MIKE (USA)
Cantered
on the all-weather.
Owner
Carlos Vaccareezza said: "He looked good out there today, I thought, as
good as he's looked all week. He's a versatile horse so far as distance is
concerned and in how he runs his races. I hope there is a good pace in the race
on Sunday as that would suit him best."
MILITARY
ATTACK (HK)
Zac
Purton, jockey, said: "Naturally he's going to strip fitter for that
second up run when he conceded weight and didn't have the best trip. He's
worked extremely well since and he's going to be hard to beat. If I had any
reservation it's that he took until the end of the season to really peak last
time around and maybe this race is coming a bit quick but I'm happy to be on
him."
SIDE
GLANCE (GB)
Worked
1200m on the turf in 1m 20.5s (splits: 30.7, 27.1, 22.7)
Trainer
Andrew Balding said: "I'm very happy with him. He looks well, nothing's
bothering him and we look forward to Sunday. I'm not totally sure he can win
but he might be underestimated."
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