Military Attack edged pole position among Hong Kong’s local contenders for next month’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) with a narrow victory in that race’s premier lead-up, the G2 LONGINES Jockey Club Cup (2000m), at Sha Tin Racecourse today, Saturday, 21 November.
Caspar Fownes’ charge took the spoils by a head from last year’s winner, the ever-game Blazing Speed, and that gelding’s Tony Cruz-trained stablemate, the emerging talent, Beauty Only, ran on to finish a further half-length away in third.
“The five pounds was huge today but I really feel he’ll strip a lot fitter and be cherry ripe on the big day, so fingers crossed he pulls up all right,” said Fownes, referring to the G1 penalty Blazing Speed was required to concede to the winner.
Military Attack, a two-time G1 winner himself, and a former Hong Kong Horse of the Year, has had to contend with niggling issues over the past couple of seasons. Fownes is hoping that the seven-year-old will have a trouble-free preparation into the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup on 13 December, in which the Oratorio gelding failed by a short-head in 2014.
“He’s had a lot of problems,” said the trainer. “Last season it was his feet and this time it’s his joints and a suspensory. It’s been a battle, day in and day out. The vets have done a great job, and my team as well, they’ve worked really hard. Everyone has put in the hours to just get that result for the owners and for the fans in Hong Kong.
“He’s getting on in age but I’m sure he’ll still be a force on the big day. I’d say he’ll strip a little bit fitter from this run, as I’m sure the second horse will - that was a big run from him, too. I’ll try to have him the best I can on the day.”
Zac Purton settled Military Attack on the fence, three back from the leader, Khaya. The Australian ace switched out his mount early in the stretch, tracking the run of Blazing Speed who hit the front under Neil Callan 300m from home. Purton dipped lower in the saddle and began punching vigorously with a furlong to race. Military Attack, nothing if not tough, responded determinedly to drive past the runner-up inside the final 100m and hold his rival through the final strides.
“I would have liked to have been on the outside and travelled a little bit easier,” said Purton. “But when we found ourselves on the fence I just had to wait for the run to come and I know he’s got a good turn-of-foot. I could feel through the run that he was quite comfortable and I knew he would give me a good kick when I asked him.
“He’s a horse that’s always been close to my heart. I’ve been riding him for a number of seasons now, on and off, so it’s good to get another nice win on him. Last season he had a good season but Caspar had a struggle with his feet, he had a lot of problems but he seems to be on top of it this season, and if that’s the case, hopefully he can go a head better in December this year and get the job done for us.”
|
Photo 1:
Photo 1, 2, 3: The Caspar Fownes-trained Military Attack (horse No 3), ridden by Zac Purton, defeats Blazing Speed (horse No 1) to win the LONGINES Jockey Club Cup (G2 - 2000m) at Sha Tin Racecourse today.
|
Photo 2
|
|
Photo 3
|
Photo 4:
Jockey Zac Purton, trainer Caspar Fownes, and connections of Military Attack celebrate their victory after the race.
|
|
Photo 5:
Photo 5, 6, 7: Club Steward Lester Kwok (front row, first from right) presents the LONGINES Jockey Club Cup trophy and silver dishes to the owner of Military Attack Canny Leung Chi Shan, trainer Caspar Fownes and jockey Zac Purton.
|
Photo 6
|
|
Photo 7
|
Photo 8:
Photo 8, 9, 10: Karen Au Yeung (front row, first from right), Vice President of LONGINES HK, presents LONGINES Master Collection watches to the winning owner representative of Military Attack, winning trainer Caspar Fownes and winning jockey Zac Purton.
|
|
Photo 9
|
Photo 10
|
|
Photo 11:
HKJC Chairman Dr Simon Ip (back row, first from right); HKJC Stewards; Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges (back row, first from left); Karen Au Yeung, Vice President of LONGINES HK and connections of LONGINES Jockey Club Cup winner Military Attack pose for a group photo at the presentation ceremony.
|
Photo 12:
Before the race, Karen Au Yeung (right), Vice President of LONGINES HK, presents a HK$2,000 prize to the Stables Assistant responsible for Top Act, the best turned out horse in the LONGINES Jockey Club Cup.
|
|
Photo 13:
The winning connections share some joyful moments with the media after the presentation ceremony.
|
