Blazing Speed will attempt to secure back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (31 May) and trainer Tony Cruz believes his charge is right on song for the HK$10 million contest.
“The horse is in great form and I’m looking forward to it. He’s very well, his trial was great and he pulled up good so I’m happy,” said Cruz, in reference to an impressive 1200m all-weather barrier trial nine days ago, in which Blazing Speed cruised to an easy third behind the speedster Rad in a time of 1m 10.67s.
The Dylan Thomas six-year-old heads into the weekend’s mile and a half feature having notched a career high-point last start, an authoritative win against international opponents in the G1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (2000m). That was the often under-rated gelding’s fourth major triumph in Hong Kong following his 2014 wins in the HKG1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), HKG1 Champions & Chater Cup and G2 LONGINES Jockey Club Cup (2000m).
Neil Callan, Blazing Speed’s pilot for nine of the gelding’s most recent 10 starts, settled his mount in touch behind a moderate tempo in last month’s QEII Cup and then angled out on the home turn to deliver the British import’s telling burst of speed. The talented bay swept clear that day to win by two lengths and Cruz is hoping his charge can enjoy a similar passage on Sunday, although he would like a more solid tempo than the QEII offered.
“I’d prefer if we could have some pace on and then he can just follow, just sit in behind horses and get a nice run into the race and then he can quicken,” said Cruz. “We know from last year that the distance is not a problem but I wouldn't want to see him lead, so just in behind the speed would be a nice place to be.
“I wouldn’t be worried by any rain if it came but I’d prefer if it didn't come. If the conditions can be the same as last year then that will be great.”
Cruz has a second shaft strung to his bow for Sunday’s feature. Helene Super Star has knocked on the door in two or three elite contests this season but the five-year-old still has only a Class 2 handicap in the win column. A fine second behind Designs On Rome in the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) in March is his best effort to date and last start he ran sixth in the APQEII Cup, two and a quarter lengths behind his stablemate. Cruz is hopeful that the application of some new gear will help the War Front gelding make up at least part of that deficit on Sunday.
“I’m putting the cheek-pieces on Helene Super Star because, according to Dougie (Whyte), last time he could have at least run second but he’s not concentrating and that cost him. He was sixth but he was only a neck away from running second. This time I expect him to do better than last time. And the mile and a half will suit him better,” said Cruz.
Helene Super Star appeared to be in good form in his recent barrier trial, also on 19 May over 1200m of the all-weather track, as he dashed to the wire ahead of the rest in a time of 1m 10.96s.
The field of eight for this year’s Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup also includes a pair of high-class John Moore-trained stayers. Dominant, winner of the 2013 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, is having his first start back in Hong Kong since returning from an unsuccessful spring campaign in Australia, while the four-year-old Helene Happy Star was the all-the-way winner of the HKG3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m) last start, a race that Dominant won in 2012 and 2013. Moore will also saddle the smart Same World and Harbour Master.
John Size will rely on Khaya, third in December’s LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, while Mr Gnocchi, a strong-closing second in the recent Blazing Speed barrier trial, will have his first start since moving to the Tony Millard stable.
This year’s Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup is the first to be staged as an international Group 1 contest, open to overseas challengers, having been designated a local Group 1 race since 1992.
Sunday’s 10-race card, which kicks off at 12.45pm, also features the HKG3 Sha Tin Vase (Handicap) over 1200m. The field of 14 includes high-class contenders such as Dundonnell (133lb), Rad (123lb), Not Listenin’tome (113lb) and Divine Calling (119lb).
A free door gift of a Standard Chartered Race Day Champions Cap will be given to race goers on Sunday (one per entrant while stocks last).
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Photo 1:
Standard Chartered Race Day Champions Cap
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