Dragon raps them to win Lion Rock Trophy

29/05/2016

Rapper Dragon cemented his position as the early standout for next year’s HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with an impressive victory in this afternoon’s (29 May) HKG3 Lion Rock Trophy (Handicap) at Sha Tin racecourse.

The result sealed yet another record-breaking achievement for Joao Moreira, the win being the Brazilian sensation’s 146th of the campaign, one more than last year’s astonishing final tally – with 11 meetings still to come before the season bows out on 10 July.

“I knew I was going to get there, it was just a matter of time and fortunately it came today,” said Hong Kong’s Champion Jockey after setting his latest record. “The feeling is amazing because it’s not just about me, without the support of everyone who has supported me I wouldn’t have been able to make it.

“I have my feet on the ground and I still don't know why it happens in my life but my old master used to say ‘whoever works hard, God helps’ and I think I’ve had a bit of help from the man upstairs.”

Rapper Dragon, shouldering a feather-weight 117lb, charged home for a comfortable length and a quarter verdict in the inaugural running of today’s mile feature as Moreira was rewarded for sticking with the talented three-year-old ahead of another Moore trainee, the highly-touted four-year-old Helene Paragon (116lb).

Unlike that rival, the 2.2 favourite enjoyed a smooth passage in fifth behind a steady pace. Once switched out turning for home, and with Moreira starting to pump, the chestnut quickened his gait for a driving run to the line. From that point, the outcome never looked to be in doubt.

“He’s a horse that helps the jockey and he’s a horse I have a lot of faith in – I think he’s going to be a Group 1 winner. I say that to the trainer and I’m not scared of saying that to the press. He gives me that feeling. Once he goes over longer ground I think he’ll show what he really is and I think he’s a real racehorse,” said Moreira after Rapper Dragon had clocked 1m 33.87s in victory with a final 400m split of 21.61s.

Moore is rubbing his hands as he considers the artillery he is assembling for the 2017 BMW Hong Kong Derby. As well as Rapper Dragon, a G1-placed juvenile in Australia and now four from seven in Hong Kong, the trainer is looking forward to a few more exciting imports, some of which are already on their way to Sha Tin.

“Rapper Dragon’s the Derby-elect at the present moment,” said Moore, “but we have another horse in quarantine at the moment that is supposed to be special, by the name of Montaigne.

“That’s Rapper Dragon’s last run of the season, we’ll put him away and of course he’ll be set next season to run out the 2000 (metres) and hopefully put another trophy  on the shelf. He’ll definitely stay, he’s very laidback – Joao always has to stoke him up and he knew the best part of the track today was in the centre.

“He beat some very nice horses there but we always said he was talented and he did it again today. We’ll put him away now and give him three to four runs into the Derby.”

The Tony Cruz-trained Beauty Only, joint top-weight with 133lb, emerged from the pack to chase Rapper Dragon home, Zac Purton’s mount finishing three quarters of a length ahead of the Dennis Yip-trained Secret Weapon (125lb).

“It was a terrific effort,” said Purton of Beauty Only. “In these Group 3 races the top-weights are heavily disadvantaged and he was giving a huge amount of weight to the winner. He relaxed really nicely and hit the line solid – it was a very brave run.”

The disappointment of the race was Helene Paragon, an impressive Class 2 winner last start. G1-placed in Europe as a three-year-old, expectations are high for the colt but he beat only one home today in finishing 10th, five lengths behind his stablemate. Jockey Chad Schofield was unable to slot in from a wide gate, enjoying no luck and being forced to chart a course near the tail, wide and without cover.

“The speed didn’t suit – Rewarding Hero was able to lay up – so I’d forget Helene Paragon’s run,” said Moore. “He’ll have two more runs and I’ll be twisting Joao’s arm to ride him again. If he draws a gate and gets a bit of cover, he gets on well with Joao – I can’t blame the jockey today he just couldn’t get cover. But I do believe Helene Paragon’s a Group 1 miler and he just needs a bit more time.”