German-trained horses have earned huge respect when they raid major overseas prizes but, so far, victory on Hong Kong's great raceday, the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races, has eluded them.
But it is by no means impossible that the four-year-old colt Empoli could set that record straight in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin on Sunday 14 December.
There are certainly plenty of positives including the fact that Empoli arrives on the back of a career-best performance when classy late acceleration saw him victorious in the G1 Preis Von Europa at Cologne in September.
Despite being the highest-rated horse in that G1 event he wasn't one of the favourites after a couple of disappointing displays in France but his triumph was all the more meritorious in that he was short of space in the closing stages. Jockey Adrie de Vries, who will be back on board for the big day, switched him to the outside in the nick of time and Empoli's surge then proved decisive.
Dutch-born, German-based De Vries - currently enjoying an assignment at Meydan - said: "This horse is a character but I knew he was good and he showed it that day."
One of the aspects of that 'character' is that Empoli has occasionally played up at the stalls, including when refusing to enter them on one occasion at Meydan in February. However, with Hong Kong in mind, that does not seem to be a worry for trainer Peter Schiergen who said: “Empoli has only really shown any problem at the gates in Dubai. We have given him plenty of practice since, and he should be fine.”
And he was fine at the stalls for his run in Meydan's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March, moreover running a terrific 2 ½-length fourth to Japanese star Gentildonna despite being horribly hampered on the first bend.
Meanwhile Schiergen has huge experience and huge talent as well, being one of that rare breed who has been both a champion jockey and champion trainer.
He was German champion jockey for five consecutive seasons, and, in 1995, he set a European record with 273 wins. Since becoming a trainer in 1998, he has marshalled the career of some of Germany's best horses - including perhaps the country’s best-ever horse, the brilliant mare Danedream who was the sensational five-length winner of the 2011 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
“Empoli is not Danedream,” says his trainer realistically. “However, when he can travel nicely in a race, he can be extremely smart. Of course I hope he can draw a good gate, and get a good start. He acts on any surface and should have no worries with Sha Tin.”
Putting more ticks in boxes Schiergen reminds us: "He has only had six races this year and will be a fresh horse," adding: "I have been very happy with his work since that Cologne victory.”
Despite plenty of other major victories in Europe, Schiergen admits that 2014 has not been one of the best of his splendid training career but says: “Let's hope we can end it on a high in Hong Kong.”
