APQEII Cup News: Form Comments of Selected Horses

30 March 2002

World Series Racing Championship - 2nd Leg
Audemars Piguet QE II Cup (Int'l G1) - 2000M Turf
Sunday 21 April 2002 - Sha Tin
(HK$ 14 Million/US$ 1.8 Million)

Form Comments of Selected Horses
(As of 29 March 2002)

Eishin Preston (USA) b c 1997
Green Dancer (USA) - Warranty Applied (USA) (Monteverdi (IRE))
Trainer: Shuji Kitahashi
Owner: Toyomitsu Hirai
Current International Rating: 123
Eishin Preston blitzed a top class field in last December's Hong Kong Mile (Gr.1-1600m) to win going away by 3? lengths at odds of almost 25/1 to achieve a current international rating of 123, the highest acquired in Hong Kong last year. He returned to the track in the Nakayama Kinen (JpnGr.2) on February 24, finishing a good fifth despite shouldering top weight. Was voted the JRA's Champion Juvenile in 1999 but sustained injury in winning a Group 2 event early the following year and was off the track for six months. Upon returning, he was winless for eight months before landing a minor event at Hanshin last June. The win must have done his morale the power of good as he went on to win both a domestic Group 2 and a Group 3 and finish runner-up in the Mile Championship (JpnGr.1) before his dazzling Hong Kong Mile triumph.

Jim And Tonic (FR) ch g 1994
Double Bed (FR) Jimka (FR) (Jim French (USA))
Trainer: Francois Doumen
Owner: John D Martin
Current International Rating: 123
The biggest money earner in the history of French racing with almost US$5 million in the bank thanks to successful missions in valuable races all over the world, an odyssey which began in the old Hong Kong Bowl in 1998. However, it seems that time could be catching up with this abiding international performer judged on his two lengths fifth to Agnes Digital in the Hong Kong Cup (Gr.1-2000m) and five lengths seventh to Terre A Terre in the Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1-1777m) on his last two starts. Has only once finished out of the frame in seven races at Sha Tin where he holds the 2000-metre course record of 2mins 0.1secs - set in this race in 1999.

Agnes Digital (USA) ch c 1997
Crafty Prospector (USA) - Chancey Squaw (USA) (Chief's Crown (USA))
Trainer: Toshiaki Shirai
Owner: Takao Watanabe
Current International Rating: 120
The JRA Champion Older Horse in 2001and generally considered one of the best and most versatile Japanese-trained horses of recent years, excelling between 1600m and 2000m on turf and dirt. Capped a fine season last year with success in the Hong Kong Cup (Gr.1-2000m) beating Terre A Terre, Hawkeye and Jim And Tonic on his only his second ever run over the distance. On his first attempt he beat the Japanese champion T M Opera O in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (JapGr.1-2000m). As good as ever first up in 2002 with a win in the February Stakes (JpnGr.1-1600m) on dirt, but was below par in the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1-2000m) when a distant sixth behind Street Cry. A less than satisfactory passage to Dubai from Japan may have contributed to this showing, however.

Grandera (IRE) ch c 1998
Grand Lodge (USA) - Borghigera (USA) (Alysheba (USA))
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Owner: Godolphin
Current International Rating: 119
Very smart performer that was placed in three Group 1s last summer including a half-length third in the French Derby (Gr.1-2400m) and runner-up by the same margin in the Eclipse Stakes (Gr.1-2000m). Those exertions were entitled to take their toll on him but he finally got his head in front in a Listed Race at Newbury on his final start for trainer James Fanshawe before Godolphin purchased him. Found trouble in running on his Dubai debut, a Group 3 over 2400m, but finished strongly to be 3? lengths second to Narrative. Acts best on fast g round and should do well with new stable.

Sunline (NZ) b m 1995
Desert Sun (GB) - Songline (NZ) (Western Symphony (USA))
Trainer: Trevor McKee
Owner: T J McKee, T A Green & Mrs H M Lusty
Current International Rating: 119
With 11 Group 1 wins to her credit, Sunline is arguably the best mare ever to race in New Zealand and Australia. She won possibly the greatest international race Hong Kong has staged when she pipped local champion, Fairy King Prawn, by a short head in the Hong Kong Mile. Failed in her attempt to equal Kingston Town's record of three successive W S Cox Plates (Gr.1-2040m) last October, losing out to Northerly by three-quarters of a length but has since bounced back to win the Waikato Draught Sprint (Gr.1-1400m) in her native New Zealand and the Coolmore Classic (Gr.1-1400m), despite giving lumps of weight away all round.

Terre A Terre (FR) b f 1997
Kaldounevees (FR) - Toujours Juste (FR) (Always Fair (USA))
Trainer: Eric Libaud
Owner: Mme H Devin
Current International Rating: 118
This still very progressive filly will not go off at 34/1 for her next start in Hong Kong as she did when third, just a half length behind Agnes Digital, in the Hong Kong Cup (Gr.1-2000m) last December despite her rider losing an iron inside the final 200m. Most recently, she added to her burgeoning reputation by winning the Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1-1777m) on March 23 from Noverre, the leading male three-year-old between 1400m and 1800m in the International Classifications 2001. Also defeated some of the best fillies in Europe in the Prix de l'Opera (Gr.1-2000m) on Arc day last year. Very tough and acts on any ground.

Hawkeye (IRE) b c 1998
Danehill (USA) - Tea House (IRE) (Sassafras(FR))
Trainer: Michael Jarvis
Owners: Gary Tanaka
Current International Rating: 117
Another potential international star,, Hawkeye only lost his maiden tag last June at the third time of asking for former trainer Aidan O'Brien, but he has come a long way since, winning the Desmond Stakes (Gr.3-1600m) at The Curragh and finishing in the first four in three Group 1s (two over a mile and one over 2000m) on ground he never really handled. He was then sold to Michael Jarvis' Newmarket stables and in the Hong Kong Cup (Gr.1-2000m), firmer ground helped him to finish just a length fourth behind Agnes Digital. The performance left a deep impression on US Hall Of Fame jockey Gary Stevens who said: "He is only a baby now but he is going to make into a very nice horse. I would travel a long way to ride him again."

Universal Prince (AUS) b c 1997
Scenic (IRE) - Biscay Bird (AUS) (Bluebird (USA))
Trainer: Bede Murray
Owner: T W Hogan and Mrs V M and M A Brady
Current International Rating: 116
The comfortable winner of the 2001 AJC Derby (Gr.1-2400m), Universal Prince became the leading Southern Hemisphere three-year-old with wins in the Canterbury Guineas (Gr.1-1900m) and the Champion Stakes (Gr.1-2000m). Has had a mixed time of it aged four though he started out well, finishing a good second to Northerly in the Underwood Stakes (Gr.1-1800m) and to Sunline in the Turnbull Stakes (Gr.2-2000m). Finished more than six lengths adrift of Northerly in sixth place in the W S Cox Plate (Gr.1-2040m) and was forced to miss the Melbourne Cup on veterinary grounds. Things have improved in 2002, however. He won his fourth race at the highest level, the Ranvet Stakes (Gr.1-2000m) and only lost by a head to Caulfield and Melbourne Cups heroine Ethereal in the BMW Stakes (Gr.1-2400m) last weekend.

Sarafan (USA) b g 1997
Lear Fan (USA) - Saraa Ree (USA) (Caro (IRE))
Trainer: Neil Drysdale
Owner: Gary A Tanaka
Current International Rating: 116
Consistent between 1600m and 1800m but untried over 2000m, Sarafan was formerly trained in England but is now based in California with Neil Drysdale. He landed his greatest career success on March 24 in the Explosive Bid Handicap (Gr.2-1800m) by a neck from Beat Hollow, a Group 1 winner himself. On his previous outing he had been denied victory by a neck in the Frank. E. Kilroe Mile (Gr.2-1600m) although the Breeders' Cup Mile champion Val Royal finished behind him on that occasion. Sir Mark Prescott trained him until his three-year-old days were through in England where he fell just short of the very highest class - although a 1 length fifth placing behind Giant's Causeway in the St James' Palace Stakes (Gr.1-1600) reads very well.

Shogun Lodge (AUS) ch g 1996 (*As of 30 March 2002)
Grand Lodge (USA) - Pride Of Tahnee (AUS) (BestWestern (AUS))
Trainer: Bob Thomsen
Owner: B T Aquilina
Current International Rating: 116
One of the most consistent Australian horses in recent years: he has won three Group 1s and, remarkably, finished runner-up in Group 1 races on nine occasions at distances ranging from 1400m to 2400m. This will be his third trip to Hong Kong. In 2000 he was never able to challenge Fantastic Light in the Hong Kong Cup (Gr.1-2000m) while last December he finished fifth, four lengths behind the impressive winner Eishin Preston in the Hong Kong Mile. Since then he has run third in the Canterbury Stakes (Gr.2-1200m) and finished a short-head second to Lord Essex in the George Ryder Stakes (Gr.1-1500m). Acts best on a firm surface.

Helene Vitality (NZ) b g 1996
Zabeel (NZ) - Anna's Choice (NZ)
Trainer: D A Hayes
Owner: Sir Po-shing & Lady Woo
Current International Rating: 113
A change in riding tactics has transformed the form of this 1999 New Zealand Derby (Gr.1-2400m) winner (then raced as Hades). Though he possesses some solid form locally, he still has only one win to his name in Hong Kong. This is likely to change in the near future now that he is being ridden on the speed as opposed to being dropped right out, giving away big starts. The new tactics were first employed in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (HKGr.1-2000m) and almost worked - only Industrial Pioneer was a head too strong. He then ran an excellent two lengths second to Nayef in the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1-2400m) at Nad Al Sheba last weekend, beating several Group 1 winners in the process. Has run twice in the Hong Kong Vase (Gr.1-2400m) and also contested this race last year but, ridden well off the pace, he never really got competitive at any stage. Must have good ground to produce his best.

Olympic Express (GB) b g 1997
Bishop Of Cashel (GB) - Rachael Tennessee (USA) (Matsadoon (USA))
Trainer: Ivan Allan
Owner: Larry C K Yung
Current International Rating: 111
Tall, athletic and very progressive performer - the new star on the local front thanks to two emphatic wins in the Hong Kong Classic Mile (HKGR.1-1600m) and, most recently, the Hong Kong Derby (HKGr.1-2000m), the latter by 3? lengths. Both wins were characterised by great acceleration from not far off the pace. Moreover, his Derby victory was his first attempt at 2000m. Finished second as Ecclesiastical in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot last June. Has the potential to win plenty more top prizes at home and be at least competitive in international races. Acts best on a fast surface.

Industrial Pioneer (IRE) b g 1997
Namaqualand (IRE) - Scanno's Choice (IRE) (Pennine Walk (FR))
Trainer: Brian Kan Ping-chee
Owners: Albert Hu Si-nok, Ngan Keng-hing, Tang Ying-hon & Kenneth Kong Siu-chee
Current International Rating: 110
Last season's Hong Kong Derby (HKGr.1-2000m) winner by 2? lengths and landed another major prize this term in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (HKGr.1-2000m) by a head from Helene Vitality. Finished well down the field in this event last year, however, and missed this season's International Races. Raced as Sobriety in Great Britain where he was smart handicapper on the verge of Group standard (was placed in a Group 3 over 2400m) before being sold to race here. It did not take long for him to make an impact at Sha Tin and he won the Centenary Vase (HKGr.3-2000m) on only his third start. Acts on any surface and usually challenges from off the pace.

Cheers Hong Kong (FR) b g 1997
Midyan (USA) - Firyal (IRE) (Nonoalco (USA))
Trainer: Ivan W Allan
Owner: Tuesday Club Syndicate
Current International Rating: 108
Useful performer locally and in France where he won two Listed Races, one as a juvenile and one as a three-year-old. Won just once last season in Hong Kong, over a mile on a yielding surface, but has developed into a competitive force in the top races this season. His sole win this term arrived on International Races Day over 1800m when he won by a nose, but possibly his best run came last time out in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (HKGr.1-2000m) when he finished strongly to end up just a head and a half length behind Industrial Pioneer and Helene Vitality. Acts on any ground.