APQEII Cup News : Best and worst for Hong Kong hopes in barrier draw

18 April 2002

Hong Kong trainers David Hayes and Ivan Allan met with contrasting fortunes in Thursday's barrier draw for the HK$ 14million Audemars Piguet QE II Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The Hayes runner Helene Vitality drew the outside post 14, which his dismayed trainer described as "the worst possible draw for this horse".

"He's 10 lengths better when ridden up with the pace," Hayes said. "But from there we're going to have to use a lot of horse early to get him up there."

In contrast, Allan's Hong Kong Derby winner Olympic Express drew the prized rail position, after which Allan said: "That's OK. I'd have preferred to be in the middle, but I'd rather be on the rail with this horse than out wide."

Allan's other two horses, Cheers Hong Kong and Indigenous, drew gates 9 and 12 respectively. Louis Pang Yuen Hing, owner of Indigenous, said: "The draw is not a problem. The problem for the horse is that he is getting old, though I haven't told him yet!"

The draw was held at Hong Kong Jockey Club headquarters at a luncheon ceremony today attended by owners, trainers, jockeys and members of the Hong Kong and international press.

Of the international contenders in Sunday's showpiece, the Australian connections of Universal Prince were delighted with their number three gate.

"That's a perfect spot for this horse. It's a little tricky with the first bend coming so quick, and I reckon that any draw between one and six is worth a couple of lengths on those drawn out wide," jockey Justin Sheehan said.

Owner Terry Hogan was just as positive: "If I could have picked a number, three is what I would have gone for," he said.

The two French challengers, Okawango and Lethals Lady drew gates two and seven respectively. Okawango's trainer Criquette Head-Maarek commented: "His post position seems good to me. The main thing is that he is in good form, which I think he is."

Jean Laugere, representing Robert Collet, the trainer of Lethals Lady, was happy that the filly had a middle draw.

There was a groan from the Agnes Digital supporters when the horse drew gate 13, but his trainer Toshiaki Shirai appeared unconcerned. "That is alright, the horse can take up any position and my jockey can watch from there as the others inside sort themselves out," he said.  

The connections of the other Japanese challenger, Eishin Preston, were happy enough with their draw in gate five.

Grandera, the big-race mount of Frankie Dettori, drew gate 10, after which Godolphin's travelling head lad Ross Campbell said: "That is an OK draw. If he is good enough, he can win from there."

Local trainer David Oughton drew gates six and 11 for Precision and Idol respectively, with Rainbow and Gold (4), Cheers Hong Kong (9), and Rebel leader (8) completing the line-up for Sunday's showdown.