Military Attack pleased jockey Zac Purton in a barrier trial this morning, Tuesday, 14 April, as he warmed up for a tilt at the Group 1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, 26 April.
The Caspar Fownes-trained seven-year-old, victorious in the 2013 edition of the APQEII Cup and a neck runner-up to Designs On Rome in last year’s race, cruised home ahead of five others in a 1600m turf trial at Sha Tin. Settled third behind the pace-setting Khaya, Military Attack responded with verve when Purton gave him a nudge about 300m out, quickening easily to the lead and then coasting home.
“I was happy with him; that was the best feel he’s given me in a while,” said Purton after Military Attack, sporting blinkers, had stopped the clock at 1m 36.12s. “He’s obviously very fresh, he bounced out of the gates with a bit of purpose; he travelled nicely and then showed a good turn of foot. I’m pleased with where he’s at.”
Another APQEII Cup candidate, the John Moore-trained Helene Happy Star, was three and a quarter lengths behind in second. The four-year-old travelled at the tail, some seven lengths off the lead, before making smooth headway in the stretch.
Not long afterwards, the Tony Cruz-trained trio of Blazing Speed, California Memory and Helene Super Star stretched out over 1200m of the Sha Tin all-weather in preparation for the HK$20 million 2000m contest.
Blazing Speed strode home with purpose under Alvin Ng to close out the heat in second place, a short-head behind the 68-rated sprinter Travel Renyi, a lightly-raced Australian import. Blazing Speed tracked the leader wide on the track and was pushed out through the final furlong, without being too exerted, to clock a time of 1m 10.90s. Douglas Whyte steered Helene Super Star to a sound fifth, two and a half lengths back, and the veteran California Memory kept on fairly from the rear to run six and a half lengths seventh of nine under Karis Teetan.
The APQEII Cup has attracted a world-class field that also includes Hong Kong Horse of the Year and last year’s race victor Designs On Rome. Australian raider Criterion won last weekend’s G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) from the veteran international star Red Cadeaux and both have already arrived at Sha Tin for the contest. Japan is sending the exciting emerging talent Staphanos. The fourth overseas raider is Smoking Sun from France.
