Llaregyb sends rivals packing in Sa Sa Ladies�� Purse

09/11/2014

Packing Llaregyb (113lbs) continued his ascent at Sha Tin racecourse today, Sunday 9 November, when securing a first Pattern race win in the HKG3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (Handicap), the feature race on Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day.

Andreas Schutz had spoken in the build-up to the 1800m contest about his charge’s propensity to do only the required amount in his races. True to script, the Dylan Thomas four-year-old scored by a mere short-head, his fifth Hong Kong win from nine starts and fifth by a margin of half a length or less.

“Today everything went perfect,” said Schutz. “They went a nice gallop over the 1800m; the jockey was able to slot him in and get cover and he got the right gap when he needed it. From then on I was really confident he was going to win. At one stage, about 100m out, he actually looked quite comfortable but then he put his old game in and slowed down towards the winning post, which made it close at the end. The way he’s getting there, it looks like there is something left in him.”

Mirco Demuro settled his mount on the rail just behind midfield and sat there until the front-running Helene Super Star (113lbs) injected urgency into proceedings at the top of the stretch. Seeking a hat-trick of wins within a little over 60 minutes, the in-form Italian edged Packing Llaregyb off the inside track, and, with 350m remaining, shifted out farther for a clear run to the wire.

The British import quickened to the lead 150m out and stretched his neck just enough to hold the rapid late rattle of the deep-closing Willie Cazals (122lbs). The latter enhanced his claims for a tilt at the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase over a more adequate 2400m on 14 December. The winning time of 1m 47.31s was 0.44s inside standard. 

“I always thought that he was a Group 3 horse,” said Schutz. “From the moment I had him I thought he felt like a nice horse – not so much in his races, but much more in his barrier trials. I’ve seen some of his performances in trials where he was going with Group 1 horses in their peak form and you only see this with good horses – the last one I had like this was Good Ba Ba – that doesn’t mean he’s as good as Good Ba Ba!”

The win naturally prompted talk of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, and Schutz is not ruling out the possibility of Packing Llaregyb taking on some of the world’s best milers next month.

“I had a route mapped out and that included this race and the Jockey Club Races later this month, all the way to the International Races in December,” continued the German handler. “Whether we stick to that plan or look for softer options for him, I’ll have to speak to the owner and look into it. We’ll do everything step by step and it will definitely be a different ball-game against Group 1 horses on level weights. I always said he was a Group 3 horse; I haven’t seen the Group 1 horse yet so that’s something he needs to prove to me on the track, but he does keep improving with the class of horse he’s running against – he just does enough. My hope is that if he meets the better company he will catch up with them.

“I would still think the 1600m would suit him better if he goes the International route,” added the trainer. “I know it’s more competitive but I want even sections for him – even speed – and the longer (the distance) we go here in Hong Kong they keep slowing down these races, so for an honest-paced, truly run race, I’d have to be looking at the Hong Kong Mile.”

Kabayan (119lbs) ran home solo up against the stands’ side rail to claim third place, a neck behind Willie Cazals, while Mr Gnocchi (114lbs) kept on solidly for fourth spot.

Demuro, who notched in Races 5 (Rock The Tree), 6 (Star Track) and 7 on the card, was not the only rider in treble form. Frenchman Gerald Mosse took the first (Secret Agent), then followed up in Race 3 on the first timer Planet Choice and completed his three-timer in Race 9 aboard Industrialist Way.

Fittingly, the final race on the card went to the promising Beauty Only, who made it two from two in Hong Kong. The three-year-old is owned by Vice Chairman of Sa Sa International Holdings Ltd Eleanor Kwok and her son Patrick Kwok. The Kwok family owns Sa Sa, the day’s long-time sponsor.

Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Day is Hong Kong racing’s very own “Ladies’ Day” and over 74,000 race goers, many in their chic finery, turned out to enjoy the occasion. The day has a long tradition – the first edition of the Ladies’ Purse was staged in 1846.