Peniaphobia struck a rare blow for the three-year-old generation with victory in this afternoon’s (23 November) G2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint, a win that puts him firmly in the front rank of contenders for December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint.
Both contests are staged over 1200m at Sha Tin and today’s speed test has long been the premier trial for the G1 sprint at Hong Kong’s end-of-year showcase, which this year takes place on Sunday 14 December. King Of Danes, the only other three-year-old to have prevailed in the contest, was also trained by Tony Cruz when winning the 2000 incarnation – then a handicap – under 113lbs.
“He was the youngest horse in the field today and he’s done that very well,” said Cruz after Peniaphobia had swept home in a sharp 1m 08.08s, a half-length ahead of Smart Volatility, with Flagship Shine another length away in third.
“He’s an improving horse and I think he’s a serious contender for the Hong Kong Sprint in three weeks’ time. He’ll be stronger and fitter and he’ll be much more professional. He’s a serious horse and he’s improving all the time.”
No three-year-old has ever claimed the big one in December but jockey Douglas Whyte is also of the opinion that Peniaphobia, winner of the Weatherbys Super Sprint in the UK as a juvenile, is now a serious candidate for international honours next month.
“I would be very confident going forward. I think Tony can tweak a few things and I think if a similar or a slightly better Peniaphobia can turn up on international day, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with!” said the South African.
Whyte did not have everything go to plan from Gate 14 – widest of all in the 14-runner field. Peniaphobia was caught three and four wide at stages during the race before quickening emphatically to lead half way down the home stretch. That injection of pace proved decisive.
“It looked awkward on paper and it was even more awkward when the gates opened because the Singapore horse (Spalato) dug up underneath me and had more initial gate speed. It just seemed that the whole field dug up and I was posted (wide). Fortunately enough I got into a three wide position with cover and from that point on in he started to travel. I started to get real confident turning for home and when I pressed the button he was there in a matter of strides. I actually thought I’d gone too soon, but he was dour in the end and he stuck on pretty tenaciously.
“I think the key to him is finding a rhythm that he’s comfortable with,” continued Whyte. “I think when he was younger and more immature he used to jump out in the straight five furlongs and probably wanted to overdo things a little.”
Lucky Nine, Hong Kong’s Champion Sprinter, had no luck in the run. Trapped in a pocket down the home stretch, the race was over when jockey Brett Prebble saw daylight and the seven-year-old cruised home in fifth, two and a half lengths behind the winner.
Amber Sky had led the runners into the home stretch but weakened to finish eighth, while Singapore’s previously unbeaten star Spalato faded out in the run to finish 13th. Sterling City was a disappointing 12th.
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Photo 1:
Tony Cruz-trained Peniaphobia (No 10, in orange/purple), ridden by Douglas Whyte, holds off the late challenge of Smart Volatility (No 13, in grey) to win the G2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint (1200m turf) at Sha Tin racecourse today.
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Photo 2:
Tony Cruz-trained Peniaphobia (No 10, in orange/purple), ridden by Douglas Whyte, holds off the late challenge of Smart Volatility (No 13, in grey) to win the G2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint (1200m turf) at Sha Tin racecourse today.
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Photo 3:
Tony Cruz-trained Peniaphobia (No 10, in orange/purple), ridden by Douglas Whyte, holds off the late challenge of Smart Volatility (No 13, in grey) to win the G2 BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint (1200m turf) at Sha Tin racecourse today.
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Photo 4:
Jubilant connections of Peniaphobia celebrate their victory after the race.
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Photo 5:
At the trophy presentation ceremony, Club Steward Dr Rita Fan presents the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint trophy and silver dishes to Huang Kai Wen, owner of race winner Peniaphobia, trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Douglas Whyte.
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Photo 6:
At the trophy presentation ceremony, Club Steward Dr Rita Fan presents the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint trophy and silver dishes to Huang Kai Wen, owner of race winner Peniaphobia, trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Douglas Whyte.
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Photo 7:
At the trophy presentation ceremony, Club Steward Dr Rita Fan presents the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint trophy and silver dishes to Huang Kai Wen, owner of race winner Peniaphobia, trainer Tony Cruz and jockey Douglas Whyte.
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Photo 8:
Lam Kwong Siu, Vice Chairman, BOC International Holdings Limited, presents a souvenir to winning owner Huang Kai Wen of Peniaphobia.
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Photo 9:
Jason Yeung Chi Wai, Deputy Chief Executive, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, presents a silver dish to winning trainer Tony Cruz.
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Photo 10:
Ann Kung Yeung Yun Chi (right), General Manager, Personal Banking and Product Management, and Zhou Ming Jia (centre), General Manager, Channel Management, Bank of China (Hong Kong), present a silver dish to winning jockey Douglas Whyte.
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Photo 11:
HKJC Chairman Dr Simon Ip, HKJC Stewards, top executives of BOC International Holdings Limited and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, and the winning connections of race winner Peniaphobia, smile for cameras in the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint trophy presentation ceremony.
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Photo 12:
Club Chairman Dr Simon Ip, top executives of the HKJC, BOC International Holdings Limited and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, and Peniaphobia��s owner Huang Kai Wen, toast for success after the race.
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Photo 13:
The winning connections smile for cameras after the race.
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Photo 14:
Before the race, Joanne Lam Man Yi, Deputy General Manager, Personal Banking and Product Management, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, presents a prize of HK$2,000 at the parade ring to the stables assistant responsible for Sterling City, the best turned out horse in the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint.
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