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Super Jockey looks the part in pre-Korea barrier trial

24/08/2016

Super Jockey looked strong this morning (Wednesday, 24 August) as he warmed up for a ground-breaking date in Korea next month with a barrier trial “win” that left trainer Tony Millard feeling satisfied with the gelding’s condition.

The eight-year-old will head to Seoul as one of a possible three-pronged Hong Kong assault on the inaugural Korean Autumn Racing Carnival on Sunday, 11 September, along with fellow dirt track specialists Rich Tapestry and Gun Pit. 

“He did it on his own,” said Millard after watching his charge break powerfully from the gate and make all under Karis Teetan in the 1200m all-weather track trial. “That was very nice work, I’m very happy with that, it was exactly what we wanted; Karis had a good hold of him and the horse did it on his own.”

Super Jockey stopped the clock at 1m 08.67s as he passed the post five and a quarter lengths ahead of his closest pursuer.
 
“I think the way we have prepared him has been correct and now we’ve just got to get through to the race,” continued the South African, who saddled the bay to a close runner-up finish in the 2015 G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, dirt) at Meydan.
 
“As long as he can come back now and we have a little bit of luck, I think we’re certainly going to be in with a shout. I don't know about the rest of the field but I’m sure there will be some good horses in there - but I’m happy with Super Jockey’s condition. He’s doing well.

“It’s always not easy with him at this time of year because he’s a non-sweater, so we have to be super cautious with him, which we have been. The staff have worked hard to try and keep him comfortable in this summer heat.”

Super Jockey’s last start came in the G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m, turf) back in May when 12th behind Chautauqua. That came off the back of a second tilt at the Dubai Golden Shaheen in March, in which the Sandtrap gelding finished a brave fifth despite suffering a bloody foot injury during the race.

“There’s not much more to do with him, he’s ready,” affirmed Millard. “We’ll do a little bit of light work with him and that’s it. We’ve never been to Korea before so it’s going to be a new experience.”

Super Jockey and Rich Tapestry are slated to contest the KOR G1 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand) while Gun Pit is entered for the KOR G1 Korea Cup (1800m, sand). Gun Pit strode out behind Super Jockey this morning, racing without pressure towards the rear of the 10 triallists under Zac Purton to run home fourth in 1m 10.53s.

“He went all right,” said the jockey. “It’s only his first trial back so he’s going to improve on that. I was hoping that he would have finished it off a bit better than he did, he just started to idle a bit in the last 100 (metres) and didn’t quite run through the line. Fitness-wise, I think he will come on for that.”

Caspar Fownes’ charge is seven from seven on Sha Tin’s dirt but found the surface too deep for his liking when last in the G1 Champions Cup (1800m, dirt) in Japan last December. The six-year-old proved his merit with a subsequent second in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (2000m, dirt) at Meydan in March before failing to fire in the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt).

All three Hong Kong challengers are booked to fly to Korea on Sunday 4 September.

Super Jockey makes all in a 1200m all-weather track trial this morning with Karis Teetan on board.
Photo 1:
Super Jockey makes all in a 1200m all-weather track trial this morning with Karis Teetan on board.

 

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