Designs On Rome and Military Attack will renew their burgeoning rivalry in a standout edition of the HKG3 Centenary Vase (Handicap) at Sha Tin racecourse on Saturday, 7 February.
The former stablemates last locked horns in a gripping nip and tuck battle for the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) on 14 December. A short-head separated the pair on that occasion as Designs On Rome pipped Military Attack at the end of yet another trademark grinding run from deep. That was a level weights championship affair but in Saturday’s 1800m handicap Designs On Rome (131lb) will carry 2lb less than his top-weighted opponent.
The big-two are among 13 entries for the contest, which also features two-time G1 Hong Kong Cup winner California Memory (121lb), 2013 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase victor Dominant (121lb), and Willie Cazals (112lb), a close second to Flintshire in this season’s Hong Kong Vase, as well as the talented up-and-comer Packing Llaregyb (101lb) who will race from 12lb out of the handicap.
Trainer John Moore is happy with Designs On Rome, who landed last season’s HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup at the course and distance before going on to win the HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) later that term.
“He’s in fantastic condition and his work leading into this race has been, from my point of view, exceptional,” said Moore, who is seeking a fifth win in this race since 2006.
Designs On Rome galloped on the all-weather track last Saturday under Joao Moreira. The five-year-old worked in company with Flagship Shine and clocked 1m 19.1s (28.6, 26.7, 23.8) for 1200m.
“Saturday’s race is a handicap, of course, and under handicap conditions you would expect one of the lighter weights to be winning races like this, but we all know Designs On Rome is all heart. Considering his form going into the race, he’s going to be one of the horses to beat,” added Moore, who has two big Group 1 targets in his sights in the coming two months.
“After Saturday’s race he’ll go to the Hong Kong Gold Cup on the first of the month and then, all being well, it’s on to Dubai for the Sheema Classic.”
Designs On Rome will attempt to emulate Akeed Mofeed, the 2013 Hong Kong Derby winner, who took last year’s Centenary Vase on the back of victory in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup. The Goldin Farms stallion shouldered 133lb for that handicap win.
Military Attack, the former Hong Kong Horse of the Year who left the Moore stable to join Caspar Fownes ahead of this term, will likely sport blinkers for the first time in a race. The seven-year-old wore the headgear when a smooth fourth in a 1200m all-weather barrier trial on Friday.
The field also features HKG3 January Cup (1800m) one-two Pleasure Gains (116lb) and Khaya (111lb). The latter ran third in December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, a race in which course and distance winner Bubble Chic (111lb) was ninth. Endowing (121lb), Rainbow Chic (111lb), Helene Super Star (103lb) and Mr Gnocchi (93lb) complete the classy line-up.
Past 10 winners of Centenary Vase
