Moore confirms Dubai designs after Rome conquers in Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup

01/03/2015

Designs On Rome showcased that ever-potent cocktail, class and raw power, to floor his rivals and capture the HK$10 million Group 1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), the second leg of the Hong Kong Triple Crown, at Sha Tin racecourse today, Sunday 1 March.

John Moore’s charge is now booked for a date in Dubai, his next target being the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) at Meydan in four weeks’ time, when he will attempt to add that prize to his top-flight successes that also include December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and last season’s G1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (2000m). This was the first renewal of the Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup to hold international Group 1 status.

“He is such a special horse,” was the verdict of jockey Joao Moreira immediately after the Holy Roman Emperor five-year-old’s length and a quarter victory, adding, “I’m looking forward to Dubai now.”

The Brazilian settled Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year second last in the eight-runner field as Khaya set pedestrian fractions on the front end. As is his style, Designs On Rome had to be chased along exiting the backstretch with around 800m to race, with Moreira aiming to slip around the outside of his rivals as usual. But on this occasion the wily Brett Prebble steered Endowing to the three-wide berth, forcing Moreira’s mount four deep with Sha Tin’s sweeping final turn to negotiate.  

“Once again I got going on him a little bit early and they started to push me wide, so I had to take a chance and buy a little bit of time,” said Moreira, who opted out of the move preferring to sit back and bide his time. “I didn’t want to make it too hard for him on the outside, covering so much ground, but he’s such an honest horse, he gives 100 per cent of himself.”

Last and widest turning into the home straight, Moreira got down into the drive position and Designs On Rome responded powerfully. Up front, Military Attack and Helene Super Star emerged to fight for the lead; closing fast on the outer, Designs On Rome grabbed the turf with relish, surged to the fore with 200m remaining and drew clear of runner-up Helene Super Star. Blazing Speed ran on past Military Attack to claim third, a further length and a quarter back. The winning time was 2m 01.57s with the winner clocking 22.08s for the final 400m.

“I wouldn’t say that was easy because I really had to ride him strongly to the line,” said Moreira. “The pace wasn’t as fast as we wanted but then we were always going to catch up with his great turn of foot. A furlong to go I knew I was going to win and then I was just pushing him to the line and I was celebrating almost as we crossed the line.”

Moore, for whom this was a 10th win in the race as trainer and third on the bounce, paid tribute to the street-fighting attitude that he hopes will deliver another major prize at the end of this month. Designs On Rome’s eight wins from 15 starts in Hong Kong also include last season’s HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).

“This will be the first time we will have ever travelled him for a race,” said Moore of the upcoming Dubai venture. “Of course, he travelled here to begin with and he did show good form straight away, but we have to look at the travelling. There’s a bit of arrogance about him and he does have a bite once in a while, and a kick, so you’ve got to watch him. We’re taking his regular mafoo, the spare mafoo – I think we’re taking everybody!

“As I said going into the race, I thought he was the fittest he has been all season and he showed everybody just that,” continued Moore. “We’ll just make sure there is nothing amiss with him now and we will aim to have him in the same condition when we present him for the Dubai Sheema Classic.”

Military Attack, who won the previous two editions when trained by Moore, could only finish fourth for Caspar Fownes this time after entering the contest off an interrupted preparation.

Moreira was in scorching form all afternoon. After riding a quick double in the first two races, the runaway premiership leader ended the 10-race card with a six-timer, equalling the Hong Kong record for most wins in a day and taking his tally for the season so far to 81. Moreira joins Brett Prebble, who set the record on 20 June, 2010, and Douglas Whyte, whose six-timer came on 7 April, 2013.

Zac Purton, Moreira’s closest pursuer and the reigning Hong Kong Champion jockey, notched a double that included Super Jockey’s success in the Class 1 Citibank Global Banking Handicap (1200m) on the all-weather track. 

Able Friend won the first leg of this season’s Hong Kong Triple Crown, the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), in January. The final leg is the HK$10 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) in May, which is open to overseas runners.