Audemars Piguet QEII Cup– Form Comments
G1 – 2000m – Turf
BLAZING SPEED - HK
Versatile and high-class as shown when winning two legs of HK Triple Crown last season - January’s HKG1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and May’s HKG1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m). The British import mugged Military Attack close home to win the G2 LONGINES Jockey Club Cup (2000m) in November. Flopped in December’s G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) but sound form three runs since including 3rd in G1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) and close 6th under top-weight (conceded upwards of 10lb to rivals) in 1800m HKG3 Premier Plate Handicap latest. No ground worries. Usually tracks handy.
CALIFORNIA MEMORY - HK
Only horse to win the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) back-to-back when successful in 2011 and 2012. Has a record of nine wins from 37 starts in Hong Kong with four victories at the course and distance. Won 2013 HKG1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) to be crowned Champion Stayer that season. Not quite the force of old since suffering injury in November that year, which sidelined him for six months. Has nonetheless shown that he still retains a good level of ability, as when 3.25L 5th in G1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup in March. Can be held-up in touch or at the rear for a strong run. No ground issues.
CRITERION - AUS
Six career wins from 1100m to 2400m. Won heavy ground G1 Australian Derby at 2400m in April, 2014. That after soft ground win in G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) that March. 2nd earlier that month to Shamus Award in G1 Australian Guineas (1600m). Went nine 9 starts without a win after Australian Derby but posted top-class efforts: a head 2nd to Fawkner in October’s G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m); 1L 3rd at course and distance in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup; 1.25L 3rd in G1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m); short-head 2nd to Real Impact in G1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on 21 March. First win since in soft ground G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on 11 April. Races midfield. Appreciates ease in ground but effective on fast.
DESIGNS ON ROME - HK
G1-placed as 2yo in Ireland. Has won 8 of 16 starts from 1600m to 2000m since import to Kong Kong. Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year in 2013/14 with wins in G1 APQEII Cup (2000m), HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) and HKG1 HK Classic Cup (1800m). Peaked to win G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) in December at 4th start this term. Completed hat-trick with wins in 1800m HKG3 Centenary Vase under top-weight and G1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m). Unsuited by slow tempo when running on from rear to 4th in G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) latest. Usually races back in field and winds up with a long run for home. No ground concerns.
HELENE HAPPY STAR - HK
A 2000m Listed winner in the UK and 5th to Karakontie in 1400m G1 at Longchamp as a juvenile. Yet to score in five Hong Kong starts from 1200m to 2000m but progressed well since making local debut in December to run 2L 4th behind Luger in HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby last start (15 March). Raced prominently in Europe but held up in HK races so far. No ground issues.
HELENE SUPER STAR - HK
Won G2 UAE Derby and 7th in G1 Kentucky Derby as 3yo. Two wins from 17 HK starts - both 1800m Class 2 handicaps - the latter being achieved due to the subsequent disqualification of the initial “winner”. Been busy with 11 starts so far this season but has shown fine form including at course and distance when 5th in December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup and 2nd in G1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup (1 March). Sub-par 10th in HKG3 Premier Plate (1800m) on 29 March. Often races handy and can lead. Best on a sound surface.
MR GNOCCHI - HK
Five-time winner from 1400m to 1600m but best form over further. Ran 6.75L 4th behind Designs On Rome in 2014 HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby at course and distance. Runner-up in past two editions of HKG3 Premier Plate Handicap (1800m) latterly on 29 March when a short-head behind Harbour Master, with Packing Llaregyb a neck third. Usually held up for a run. Enjoys fast ground and seems unsuited by cut.
MILITARY ATTACK - HK
Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year in 2012/2013 thanks to four straight wins including G1 APQEII Cup (2000m) and G1 SIA Cup (2000m) in Singapore. A second consecutive HKG1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) win and close 2nd to Designs On Rome in G1 APQEII Cup his best efforts last term. Scored first up this season for new stable with late rush in HKG2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) in October. Pipped late when 2nd in LONGINES Jockey Club Cup and same story behind Designs On Rome in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup. A touch below par latest when fourth in G1 Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup (1 March). Best when tracking handy. Likes a sound surface and handles good to soft.
PACKING LLAREGYB - HKWon two 1600m handicaps from six starts in Britain. Has risen 37 rating points since Hong Kong debut in December 2013. 14 HK starts have yielded five wins from 1400m to 1800m. Scored first Pattern race win in November’s 1800m HKG3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (Handicap) off bottom-weight. Consistent since and close 3rd to Harbour Master latest in HKG3 Premier Plate Handicap (1800m), again off bottom-weight. Late closer. Best on sound surface.
RED CADEAUX
Popular veteran globe-trotter with seven wins from 50 starts. All wins from 2400m to 2800m but stays 3200m and capable at 2000m. Career peak in winning 2012 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m). 2nd in 2013 G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, Tapeta). Three times runner-up in G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m). 6th in last December’s LONGINES Hong Kong Vase. Next start stayed on to 2.75L 5th in G1 Australia Cup (2000m) on 14 March. Finished second in G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) latest.
SAME WORLD
Listed winner at 2000m in France as 3yo. Placed second in the 2012 HKG1 Hong Kong Derby. Has won 4 of 40 starts in Hong Kong from 1400m to 1800m notably the 2014 HKG3 January Cup Handicap (1800m). Ran seventh in last year’s G1 APQEII Cup. Yet to make the frame in seven starts this term but beaten only 1.5L when 7th in blanket finish to this year’s January Cup. Tactically versatile. No ground worries.
SMOKING SUN - FR
A five-time winner from 1900m to 2200m in France. Biggest success came in the G2 Prix d’Harcourt (2000m) at Longchamp in April 2014. Runner-up to Dan Excel in G1 SIA Cup (2000m) at Kranji following month. Well beaten 6th in Arlington Million next start and ended 2014 with 1L 2nd in G3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (2000m). Unsuited by heavy going when 8th to Al Kazeem first-up this term on 6 April in Prix d’Harcourt. Best on good ground, handles some give but unsuited by extremes of going. Often held up.
STAPHANOS - JPN
Winner over 1600m as 2yo. Contested his first G1 in Japanese 2000 Guineas (Satsuki Sho) over this distance in April last year, finishing 2.5L 5th behind winner Isla Bonita. Ran 4th to the same horse in September (his first run after a spell), the G2 St Lite Kinen (2200m) at Niigata. Gained first graded race success next up in G3 Fuji Stakes (1600m) at Tokyo in October. 1.75L 3rd to Nuovo Record on season debut in G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) on 1 March with Isla Bonita 5th. Usually settles midfield. Likes fast ground and handles wet surface.
