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Gold-Fun primed for attempt at Trophy repeat

24/10/2014

Gold-Fun wowed watchers with the manner of his first-up victory earlier this month and Hong Kong’s Champion Miler will need to be on his game once again when he steps out for his second start this term in Sunday’s HKG2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy (Handicap).

The mile contest has turned into an early dress rehearsal for December’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races with a raft of big names in the line-up including the reigning Horse of the Year Designs On Rome (133lbs), and two of his predecessors for that title, Military Attack (133lbs) and the returning Ambitious Dragon (129lbs).  

“Pretty much the whole field will be lining up come international day, so it’s as tough as you get,” said Douglas Whyte, who has partnered Richard Gibson’s stable star to five wins, including the most recent.

That latest success came in the HKG3 Celebration Cup (Handicap) over 1400m and was achieved in breathtaking fashion as Whyte desperately extricated the five-year-old from a pocket and then sat tight as his mount surged to an ultimately cute victory.

“It was a great run, it was a soft win in the end and it’s always nice to bounce out of one of those. I was in a bit of bother - got out jail really - but he did it with a bit of authority in the end,” said the South African, who is hoping Gold-Fun (133lbs) can repeat last year’s win in Sunday’s main feature. The gelding was runner-up in last December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile after notching three from three leading in.

“He was pretty well-tuned for his first effort the other day, so there were no cobwebs to be blown out and how much he’s improved from that run, we’ll find out at the weekend. He wasn’t bottomed for his first run but he certainly was well prepared,” he continued.

“He’s drawn another awkward alley (Gate 10) but he’s got tactical speed - he’s not one-dimensional, he can go back, so I’ve got a few options.”

Michael Chang, who reports that “all is good” with Rich Tapestry ahead of his stable flag-bearer’s  G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint test a week Saturday at Santa Anita, looks to Dibayani (124lbs) in the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy, which is race nine on the card.

“I have no choice but to run Dibayani over a mile first start,” said Chang. “His preparation is good and we’ll see how he runs. He is up against top Group 1 horses but it’s a handicap and he’s getting a bit of weight, so we’ll have to see.”

The Tony Millard-trained Ambitious Dragon, a two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year and winner of the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile in 2012, has not raced for 18 months after suffering a tendon injury, but recently won a 1000m barrier trial. Military Attack also impressed with a recent barrier trial win and is reported to be in good heart ahead of his first start for trainer Caspar Fownes. 

The field also features Dominant (128lbs), winner of the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) last year, and two-time LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) winner California Memory (126lbs), as well as Blazing Speed (129lbs), winner of last season’s HKG1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and HKG1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m).

Endowing (125lbs), Flagship Shine (122lbs), Packing Whiz (121lbs), Rainbow Chic (119lbs), Same World (115lbs) and Rewarding Hero (115lbs) complete the line-up.

The race carries increased prize money of HK$3.875 million, up HK$375,000 on last year. Sunday’s 11-race card commences at 12.30pm with the Class 4 Zenith Excellent Handicap over 1000m.

 

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