|
Early hopes
of seeing a big field of classic and top-class runners in this year's
renewal of the King George gone up in smoke, when the going condition
at Ascot was officially declared as Good to Firm.
The race day sortie of Sakhee (2001
Arc and Derby 2nd), Millenary (2000 St. Leger) and High
Pitched (G3 St. Simon) all withdrawn on reason of unsuitable
ground, indeed removed much excitement from this historic 'Championship'
race.
Fans were still left with a top-class
field of nine runners including seven Group winners and two pacemakers
from the Maktoum's camp. After the aforementioned rabbits ran out
rapid early fractions, the dual Group 1 winner Nayef took
over the running in the home straight under Richard Hills and looked
every bit of a winner inside the distance. But last year 2000 Guineas
victor Golan under champion jockey Kieren Fallon came flying
late to challenge for the lead and denied Nayef the first
prize money by a head on the line. The consistent six-years-old
Zindabad from the in form stable of Mark Johnston proved
next best, then came last year French Oaks heroine Aquarelliste,
the non-staying Grandera, Storming Home, Boreal
and the pacemakers Sir Effendi and Narrative.
King George has always been recognized
to the racing world as one of the top European middle-distance Champion
races, it is also the first race in the English racing calendar
that many high-class three years old is meeting their elder for
the very first time.
This top-class mile-and-a-half contest
had seen the likes of many past champions and classic winners, including
the last English Triple Crown winner Nijinksy, Dancing
Brave, Nashwan, Galileo and a long list of elites
from the years past.
Last year, Galileo after became
his multiple English champion sire Sadlers' Wells' very first
Epsom Derby winner, he then went on to capture the Irish equivalent
and gave Fantastic Light a beating in the King George by
two long lengths.
 |
|
TV Broadcast
|
Hong Kong
racing fans will be able to watch this fourth leg of the
World Series Racing Championship on ATV (Home Channel)
and Cable TV (Channel 18) at the following times:
ATV (Home Channel) - Sunday 28 July 2002, 12:50
p.m. - 1:05 p.m. (Nicam, taped delay broadcast)
Cable TV (Channel 18) - Sunday 28 July 2002,
9:45 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Nicam, taped delay broadcast)
|
|
|
|
|
