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Peniaphobia continues rich form in Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup

25/01/2015

Peniaphobia maintained an upward trajectory with victory in the HK$6.6 million HKG1 Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup, the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series, at Sha Tin racecourse today, Sunday, 25 January.

The Tony Cruz-trained four-year-old was sent off a warm favourite for the 1000m straight dash, despite the distance being short of his optimum, and obliged with a battling short-head verdict over Bundle Of Joy.

Peniaphobia, successful in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint and runner-up in December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint, both over 1200m, at his last two starts, could head to Dubai in March.

“I’ve entered him in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, it’s a 1200m race and he’s more of a 1200m horse than a 1000m horse,” said Cruz, who is not perturbed by the G1 race being held on Meydan’s new dirt surface. “The race is the opposite direction (left-handed), that’s the only worry. I’m not afraid of the dirt track there. I prefer to go for that than the 1000m.”

Peniaphobia’s preference for the longer distance was evident in this afternoon’s test. Douglas Whyte enjoyed a smooth and swift exit from gate one, the berth furthest from the favoured stands’ side fence, but was soon nudging his mount to keep tabs on the front pair.

Amber Sky, last year’s winner and subsequent G1 Al Quoz Sprint victor, just edged the battle for the lead, with the Joao Moreira-ridden Bundle Of Joy half a stride away in 2nd down the stand’s side fence. The former was a surprise entry for this race after missing two weeks of work around Christmas and the five-year-old fizzled out at halfway to trail home last.

That left Bundle Of Joy cruising in front as Whyte began to pump 450m from home. Peniaphobia responded to every thrust of the South African’s arms as he closed from two lengths back and fought past his rival in the final strides to seal success.

“It always was going to be awkward from gate one but this horse is good enough to always help you out with problems,” said Whyte. “He came out of the gate and within 150m I was tracking Amber Sky, and I couldn’t believe it myself. But Joao was really cantering outside Amber Sky and I had to get off Amber Sky’s back pretty quickly after the junction, he wasn’t helping me anymore.

“I had to get hold of my guy a lot earlier than Joao did, but my horse has shown tenacity and fight and the pure 1200m runner was coming out in the end. He was gaining, whereas Bundle Of Joy was folding up.”

Peniaphobia clocked 55.49s for the 1000m. The British import, winner of the Weatherbys Super Sprint (1031m) at Newbury, UK, in July 2013, has now won six of 12 Hong Kong starts.

The Francis Lui-trained Smart Volatility ran on to claim third, a further length and three quarters behind the runner-up.

Photo 1, 2, 3:<br>
Trained by Tony Cruz and ridden by Douglas Whyte, Peniaphobia (No 1, in yellow) wins the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup (HKG1, 1000m) �V the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series �V at Sha Tin Racecourse today.
Photo 1:
Photo 1, 2, 3:
Trained by Tony Cruz and ridden by Douglas Whyte, Peniaphobia (No 1, in yellow) wins the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup (HKG1, 1000m) �V the first leg of the Hong Kong Speed Series �V at Sha Tin Racecourse today.


Photo 2


Photo 3

Photo 4, 5:<br>
Connections of Peniaphobia celebrate their success after the race.
Photo 4:
Photo 4, 5:
Connections of Peniaphobia celebrate their success after the race.


Photo 5

Photo 6, 7, 8:<br>
Anthony W K Chow, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, presents the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup winning trophy and the gold-plated dishes to Huang Kai Wen, Owner of winning horse Peniaphobia, winning trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Douglas Whyte.
Photo 6:
Photo 6, 7, 8:
Anthony W K Chow, Deputy Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, presents the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup winning trophy and the gold-plated dishes to Huang Kai Wen, Owner of winning horse Peniaphobia, winning trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Douglas Whyte.


Photo 7


Photo 8

Dr Victor Fung, Chairman of Trinity Limited, accompanied by his wife Julia Fung, presents a souvenir to the owner representative of Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup winner Peniaphobia.
Photo 9:
Dr Victor Fung, Chairman of Trinity Limited, accompanied by his wife Julia Fung, presents a souvenir to the owner representative of Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup winner Peniaphobia.

Sabina Fung, Executive Director of Fung Retailing Limited, presents a souvenir to winning trainer Tony Cruz.
Photo 10:
Sabina Fung, Executive Director of Fung Retailing Limited, presents a souvenir to winning trainer Tony Cruz.

Richard Cohen, Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Limited, presents a souvenir to winning jockey Douglas Whyte.
Photo 11:
Richard Cohen, Chief Executive Officer of Trinity Limited, presents a souvenir to winning jockey Douglas Whyte.

Honourable guests and winning connections pose for photographers at the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup trophy presentation ceremony.
Photo 12:
Honourable guests and winning connections pose for photographers at the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup trophy presentation ceremony.

Kent & Curwen Brand Ambassadors Michael Owen and Aaron Kwok join HKJC and Trinity Limited executives and senior officials to watch this year��s Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup along the rail.
Photo 13:
Kent & Curwen Brand Ambassadors Michael Owen and Aaron Kwok join HKJC and Trinity Limited executives and senior officials to watch this year��s Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup along the rail.

Winning connections of Peniaphobia enjoy their happy moment.
Photo 14:
Winning connections of Peniaphobia enjoy their happy moment.

Representatives of HKJC, Trinity Limited and Fung Retailing Limited, toast and congratulate Peniaphobia owner Huang Kai Wen after the horse��s victory in the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup.
Photo 15:
Representatives of HKJC, Trinity Limited and Fung Retailing Limited, toast and congratulate Peniaphobia owner Huang Kai Wen after the horse��s victory in the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup.

Kent & Curwen Brand Ambassadors Michael Owen (right) and Aaron Kwok (left) jointly present a HK$2,000 prize and souvenir to the Stable Assistant responsible for Sterling City, the Best Turned Out Horse of the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup, before the race.
Photo 16:
Kent & Curwen Brand Ambassadors Michael Owen (right) and Aaron Kwok (left) jointly present a HK$2,000 prize and souvenir to the Stable Assistant responsible for Sterling City, the Best Turned Out Horse of the Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup, before the race.

 

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First leg of HK Speed Series - Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup

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