Dominant faces a stiff task at the weights heading into tomorrow’s (11 April) G1 Sydney Cup at Randwick, Australia, but the 2013 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase winner is primed to make his presence felt in the star-studded contest.
John Moore’s charge will carry 125lb in the 3200m contest, one of four G1 races on Queen Elizabeth Stakes Day at The Championships, all of which will be among seven races simulcast for betting in Hong Kong. That burden is only 3lb less than the top-weighted Protectionist, the impressive winner of November’s G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
More of a concern for Moore is the fact that Hong Kong’s representative will concede 10lb to the likely race-favourite Hartnell (115lb), who warmed up with a smart victory in the G1 BMW (2400m) last month. The British import, a proven stayer at the trip, saw off Japan’s G1 Arima Kinen runner-up To The World at level weights that day, as he clinched a second win from only three starts since his arrival in Australia.
Dominant, meanwhile, limbered up for Saturday’s G1 test with a solid fifth in the G1 Ranvet Stakes over 2000m at Rosehill on 21 March. That came after a close third behind Designs On Rome in the HKG3 Centenary Vase (Handicap) over 1800m on 7 February. The Sydney Cup will be Dominant’s first race at a distance beyond a mile and a half.
“Everything is going to plan,” said Moore. “Dominant travelled very well, he looks very well and his first-up race was promising. As we all know, this is a handicap and not set weights and the favourite, Hartnell, is very well-weighted. That horse will be exceedingly hard to beat at the weights in receipt of 10lb, but Dominant is going into the race a picture of health and I do believe he will get the two miles.”
The Sydney Cup has attracted 11 declared runners, with the field also set to feature Melbourne Cup third Who Shot Thebarman (120lb) and the smart Au Revoir (119lb).
