It was billed as a clash of the champions and it was Military Attack that landed the triumphant blow to emerge victorious at Sha Tin this afternoon, Sunday 26 October. The one-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year flashed home late in a thriller for the afternoon’s feature event, the HKG2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy (Handicap).
The six-year-old, having his first start for trainer Caspar Fownes following a summer switch from the John Moore stable, and carrying 133lbs, mugged fellow high-weight and Champion Miler Gold-Fun (133lbs) close home to score by a short-head in a time of 1m 34.37s. Two-time Horse of the Year Ambitious Dragon (129lbs), returning from an 18-month injury induced absence, ran a huge race to claim third, a further three quarters of a length back.
“It’s good to see the horse perform like that first-up over a mile against some of the best horses in Hong Kong,” said Fownes, who plans to send his new charge to the G2 LONGINES Jockey Club Cup (2000m) on 23 November before taking on all-comers in the world’s second richest 2000m turf race, the HK$25 million LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), on 14 December.
Military Attack was notching his first victory at a mile since May, 2012, his major victories having been achieved at 2000m, notably in the G1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup and the G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup, both in 2013.
“It’s a surprise to beat Gold-Fun at that distance, but he had a decent preparation,” said Fownes. “I gave him a really nice prep – I trained him just nice for the race – I expected him to run fourth or fifth and then I’d have walked away extremely happy. To come out and do that is great. And there is improvement, for sure.”
Blazing Speed, the winner of two legs of last season’s Hong Kong Triple Crown, kicked for home at the top of stretch with the Richard Gibson-trained Gold-Fun, attempting back-to-back wins in the race, following in hot pursuit under Douglas Whyte. The 13-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey drove his mount to a hard-fought lead 100m out and must have thought the race was in the bag, only for Military Attack to flash down Gold-Fun’s inner with the post fast approaching.
“Military Attack’s going to step up to 2000m next run on 23rd November,” said Fownes. “Barring any problems, we’ll look forward to bringing him back in four weeks’ time and we’ll get a real gauge on where we are with John’s (Moore) good horses. It’s going to be a great distance for Designs On Rome, too, that’s where he comes into his own, but I’m very happy with that and now we just go forward and try to have him ready for the big race in December.”
Reigning Horse of the Year Designs On Rome, a fine third on his seasonal return over 1400m on 5 October, was never a factor as he came home eighth under Joao Moreira. It was a different story for another old champ, however, as Ambitious Dragon, Horse of the Year in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012, delighted his trainer, Tony Millard, as well as his legion of fans.
“Gerald (Mosse) gave him a lovely, balanced race and he’s come home strong at the end – another 50m and he might have got there,” said Millard, after the eight-year-old, winner of the 2012 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, had travelled wide in the run and rolled home with zest.
“I couldn’t have asked for better than that. He certainly said to the youngsters, ‘I’m back!’”
Military Attack’s victory completed a big-race double on the afternoon for Hong Kong’s Champion Jockey Zac Purton, who rode a five-timer all told, including the HKG2 Premier Bowl (Handicap).
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Photo 1:
Photo 1, 2
The Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) is staged at Sha Tin Racecourse today. Military Attack (No. 3, green silk), ridden by Zac Purton, wins this Hong Kong Group 2 event. Gold-Fun (No. 2) and Ambitious Dragon (No. 4) finish second and third respectively.
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Photo 2
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Photo 3:
Connections of Military Attack celebrate their victory.
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Photo 4:
Photo 4, 5, 6
Dr Eric Li Ka Cheung, Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, presents the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy and silver dish each to Canny Leung Chi Shan, owner of Military Attack, trainer Caspar Fownes and jockey Zac Purton.
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Photo 5
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Photo 6
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Photo 7:
Chairman of the Oriental Watch Holdings Limited Dr Yeung Ming Biu, accompanied by his wife, presents a souvenir to the owner representative of Military Attack.
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Photo 8:
Managing Director of the Oriental Watch Holdings Limited Mr Dennis Yeung Him Kit, accompanied by his wife, presents a souvenir to trainer Caspar Fownes.
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Photo 9:
Executive Director of the Oriental Watch Holdings Limited Mr Alain Lam Hing Lun, accompanied by his wife, presents a souvenir to jockey Zac Purton.
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Photo 10:
Dr Simon Ip, Chairman of HKJC; Club Stewards; HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges; officiating guests from Oriental Watch Holdings Limited and the winning connections smile for the camera at the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy presentation ceremony.
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Photo 11:
Chairman of the Oriental Watch Holdings Limited Dr Yeung Ming Biu, accompanied by his wife, presents a prize of HK$2,000 and a delicate watch to the Stables representative responsible for Designs On Rome, the Best Turned Out Horse in the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy.
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