HKIR News : Tracknotes (3) - Hong Kong Mile (Gr 1 - 1600m) HK$14 million (14/12/2001)

14 December 2001

ELECTRONIC UNICORN (HK)
Electronic Unicorn, Hong Kong's best chance of a home win in the International Races is in good shape ahead of the acid test on Sunday. "I've never had a Derby or Golden Slipper winner and he's the best horse that I've trained, no question. Obviously, since he's been in my care he's never had to face the kind of competition he tackles on Sunday, but his preparation has gone smoothly and he has been AN easy horse for me to train," said trainer John Size.
Big-race jockey Robbie Fradd said: "I haven't sat on him since he won his last race as John rides him every morning which means he's been in very good hands. I can't wait to sit on him again, really looking forward to it."

SUPER MOLLY (HK) and CHARMING CITY (HK)
Both Super Molly and Charming City shaped well on the all-weather track this morning and trainer David Hayes declared himself pleased with how they have prepared for the Mile. "I'm very respectful of the opposition in this and all the races but the Mile will be very tough. Super Molly has a good draw from barrier number two and I'm hoping for the best. Charming City went well this morning and I'm happy with him. I just want both of them run up to their best form," he said.

RED PEPPER (HK)
Trainer, Brian Kan: "Everybody's happy."

MOUNT ABU (UK)
Trainer John Gosden was on hand for the first time this week to watch his runner in the HK Mile have a light work out under big race jockey Jimmy Fortune. "I am very happy with him", he reported, "he's had just a nice quiet canter, which is all I wanted. He looks in good shape".

FORBIDDEN APPLE (USA)
Last year, Forbidden Apple finished fourth in the Hong Kong Cup. "We decided to put him in the Hong Kong Mile this year, because I really think it's an easier spot," said trainer Christophe Clement. "Forbidden Apple has a turn of foot which allows him to close strongly, but maintains it a little better at eight furlongs than at ten, although he's capable of handling both. The Mile distance, though, does suit him a little bit more than the 2000-metre 'Cup distance. Since he ran second in the Breeders' Cup Mile (on October 27), Forbidden Apple has breezed regularly in New York. He only missed one scheduled turn; that took place on a morning when the ground was frozen. I'm really pleased with the way he looks, his action is excellent, he was really on his toes when he was taken around Sha Tin's all-weather surface this morning. Forbidden Apple's jockey, Corey Nakatani, will arrive tonight. We've travelled a long way to be in this race, and we don't do things like that on a whim. On Sunday, I think Forbidden Apple will be the horse to beat."

SHOGUN LODGE (AUS)
The Bob Thomsen trained contender galloped strongly on the grass this morning. 'He feels good to me, said jockey Shane Dye. Dye said punters should not be concerned by Shogun Lodge carrying his head to the side and having a tendency to hang in. 'Don't worry about that. That's the way he has always raced and he's won four million dollars doing it that way,' he said. Dye expects Shogun Lodge to run well. 'There is reasonable pace in the race, mainly from the local horses, and that's going to suit him. This is a very strong race this year but he will be competitive. There's no risk about that,' he said.

SHOW A HEART (AUS)
Barry Miller sent his charge out on the all-weather track and Show A Heart zipped home solidly over the last three furlongs (600 metres). Miller said he's looking forward to Sunday's race and is not concerned about how it will be run. 'I never give instructions to top class jockeys. Glen (Boss) knows what's required and I'm happy to leave it to him,' Miller said. Show A Heart has been stepped up in his work after having an easy time when he first arrived. 'I spoke to a number of trainers including Neville and Graeme Begg and their advice was not to push your horse too hard when he first arrives,' the trainer said. Show A Heart had a required hit-out when he raced in Australia on December 1. He was narrowly beaten on that occasion. 'He was too fresh and over-raced that day. He needed that run,' Miller said.

TOUGH SPEED (UK)
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute was present to watch Tough Speed work on the grass over 1400 metres today over with his big race jockey, Johnny Murtagh, aboard. "You can forget his run in the Challenge Stakes last time as he couldn't handle the going," says Stoute. "He loves fast ground and has a chance."
Tough Speed started the season as a top handicapper and has improved through the year to account for fellow Mile challenger, China Visit, by half-a-length in the Group Three White Rose Stakes over 1600 metres at Doncaster in September.