Moore delighted with Designs On Rome as Hong Kong trainers arrive at Meydan

25/03/2015

John Moore believes he has “the right horse” to win Saturday’s G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) after watching Hong Kong Horse of the Year Designs On Rome work on the turf at Meydan racecourse this morning, Wednesday, 25 March.

Moore arrived in Dubai on Tuesday afternoon so this morning’s exercise was his first opportunity to gauge the wellbeing of his charge. He was pleased with what he saw.

“His skin colour is great and he’s eating up nicely; he worked this morning on the turf and he did it very well. We all know that when horses travel they drop weight, so we’ve got to look after that but he looks a picture of health, as far as I’m concerned, coming off the track today,” said the handler, who enjoyed a first Dubai triumph last year when Sterling City won the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.  

“The riding boy reported that he’s very happy with Designs On Rome’s progress so far and we’re just waiting for Joao (Moreira) to come tomorrow morning to give him his final workout, if he eats up tonight. He’ll be going 1200m, a little better than three-quarter pace, that’s all he needs. Joao will be on board and that should see him right for the weekend.”

Moore is looking forward to testing Designs On Rome on foreign soil. Last year’s HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner has since notched three elite Group 1 victories, including December’s LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m), all at his home track, Sha Tin.

“This should be the perfect race for him to stamp himself as a world class galloper,” he said. “This is where you’ve got to come – you’re up against some of the best in the world. If we could win this, he would stamp himself as one of the very best on the planet.”

Moore is emitting a degree of confidence, but the experienced handler is not getting too carried away. Designs On Rome’s eight opponents include G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) victor Flintshire, the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Main Sequence (2400m) and Japan’s crack filly Harp Star.

“This is a really tough race with the likes of Flintshire and the Japanese filly, Harp Star, but I’ve got faith in my horse. He’s done everything right this season and he’s won what he’s had to win – the Gold Cup, the Hong Kong Cup – and he loves to win. This horse knows where the winning post is and if he has to get that extra half –length up he will find it,” said Moore.

“A lot of people look at Hong Kong as a jurisdiction that doesn’t have a lot of great horses, maybe three or four at a time, but I can say that this is a really good horse. I’ve got one of the best jockeys on the planet, I believe I’ve got the right horse, and I’ve got the staff behind me; I think we’re going to be a force to reckon with in the race. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we could win, we’ve just got to get luck in running, and have the horse bring his ‘A’ game to the races.”

Hong Kong’s reigning Champion Sprinter, Lucky Nine, got his first taste of Meydan’s new sand-based dirt track. Caspar Fownes’ star speedster will line up in Saturday’s G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m), a race in which he was third in 2012 when the contest took place on an artificial Tapeta surface. The eight-year-old undertook a gentle canter this morning.

It was the same story for fellow Golden Shaheen candidate Rich Tapestry, second in the contest last year, again on Tapeta. Michael Chang’s seven-year-old will face US contender Secret Circle in the big race, a horse he defeated in the G1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (1200m) last October.

Hong Kong’s third Golden Shaheen challenger, the Tony Millard-trained Super Jockey, was out on the track before first light. The six-year-old stretched his legs on the dirt under Beverly Millard.

“I rode him in a nice canter this morning. He’s in good shape and we’re just hoping for a good draw,” she said.

Tony Cruz was another trainer on site for the first time this week. The Hong Kong legend watched his G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) hope Peniaphobia work on the turf and he was pleased with what he saw.

“He did fast work on the turf this morning and he’s going to expectations,” said Cruz.

David Hall was also in town. The Australian has his hopes pinned on Bundle Of Joy, a short-head runner-up to Peniaphobia in the HKG1 Kent & Curwen Centenary Sprint Cup (1000m), who will line up in the Al Quoz Sprint under Moreira. The gelding has not yet ventured across to the main track.

“The intention was always to stay in the quarantine facilities for a couple of days,” said Hall. “I’m happy with the horse and the plan is for him to go out on the track tomorrow.”

Amber Sky did his usual slow exercise around the dirt track. Ricky Yiu’s charge won last year’s Al Quoz Sprint but heads into Saturday off a truncated campaign and without a win in three starts.