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Connections give their reactions to LONGINES HKIR gate draw

10/12/2015

Hong Kong’s Champion Jockey Joao Moreira remains optimistic about the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races prospects of Able Friend (gate 10) and Peniaphobia (gate 14) despite both horses drawing wide on Sunday.

"I'm not worried about the draw with Able Friend. He's the type of horse who gets back in any case and I can ride my own race on him from there," Moreira said.

As to Peniaphobia, he said: "It's a terrible draw. It's not helping us much but we have to play with what we've got. Hopefully he gets a clear run and he's still a definite winning chance. I will ride the horse however I'm instructed to do but I would think it might be best to ride him a bit quieter, looking for some cover, from that gate."

Hong Kong’s other major Sprint contender Gold-Fun drew ideally in gate six. “That’s ideal and we may have an advantage given that two of the other major players are drawn right out,” said trainer Richard Gibson, referring to Peniaphobia and Japan’s 2014 second runner-up Straight Girl who jumps from gate 13.

Straight Girl’s assistant trainer Kazuo Fujiwara said: “There were only two options left. It could not be helped. She always breaks well from the gate and, at least, we have no concern about being boxed in.”

Japan’s two other Sprint contenders also drew wide with Sakura Gospel in 12 and Mikki Isle in 10. “He begins well and has the speed to take the lead,” said Mikki Isle’s assistant trainer Yusuke Hirai.

Trainer Ganbat Enebish has Breeders Cup Turf Sprint winner Mongolian Saturday opposed to the aforementioned trio of Asian-based speedsters and he secured an inner draw when wide was preferred: "We wanted eight or nine. Four is so-so, but it is my owner's lucky number," he said.

Jockey Florent Geroux said: "He has tactical speed but he can be held up handy. If a few of them send off, there is nothing wrong with a close, covered up trip for us."

Three LONGINES HKIR Sprint winners, in the past nine years, have drawn six, and eight of the past 10 winners have drawn between five and nine.

UK visitor Mondialiste, like Able Friend, drew wide in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile but assistant trainer Fearghal Davis was unperturbed. "It (gate 13) really doesn't have a big effect (on us). We're going to be taking our time anyway. From out there with a long run into the turn we can make our own trip, hopefully."

Nash Rawiller, who rides the John Size-trained Contentment, was also unfazed by drawing out in gate 12. “I’d look to break well and take up a nice position just off them. He’s very adaptable. I think he has a great chance,” Rawiller said.

Wide draws have indeed proved no obstacle to winning the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile in recent years. Five of the past six winners have drawn nine or wider and four of those drew double figure gates, which may comfort connections of Japan’s highly rated Maurice. His track rider Toru Munakata said: “We would have preferred something inside eleven but he is a very talented horse and will be able to overcome the wide draw.”

Pat Keating, looking after Highland Reel for trainer Aidian O'Brien, was philosophical about the draw outcome for his charge in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase. “I was hoping for somewhere between two and seven. As I was last up, and nine was all that was left, I’ll take that," he said.

Ric Wylie – representing Flintshire's connections – said: "I felt I was under a bit of pressure there, the good gates were disappearing fast, so I was happy to draw the eight post.”

Alain de Royer Dupre, trainer of progressive three-year-old Dariyan, was pleased with his draw. “Barrier six is a good draw over the 2400 metres. It gives us plenty of options.”

The draw has been, arguably, of little significance in the recent history of the Vase. Five of the past 10 winners have drawn gates two to four but the other five have drawn seven or wider (with two from barrier seven and two from barrier 12).

Drawing in, however, has been invaluable in the showpiece LONGINES Hong Kong Cup. California Memory drew one in his successive wins in 2011 and 2012 and it was likewise with Akeed Mofeed in 2013. Last year’s winner Designs On Rome, who has drawn six this year, began from barrier three 12 months ago.

Those recent draw statistics bode well for Blazing Speed (2), prepared by California Memory’s trainer Tony Cruz; and for Caspar Fownes’ Military Attack (1) who was narrowly beaten - from gate eight – by Designs On Rome last year.

Japan’s principal Cup contender Staphanos drew a less than desirable gate 11, a fact acknowledged by assistant trainer Kazuo Fujiwara. “We may have to think about our strategy now or simply let our jockey ride him as he sees fit,” he said.

The renowned Japanese front-runner A Shin Hikari drew 12 and his track rider Tomoyasu Sakaguchi said “there is no option but to lead from the draw.”

Photo 1, 2<br>
Dr Simon Ip (right), Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Juan-Carlos Capelli (left), Vice-President of LONGINES International and Head of Marketing, jointly kick-off the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races 2015 barrier draw at the Parade Ring of Sha Tin Racecourse today.
Photo 1:
Photo 1, 2
Dr Simon Ip (right), Chairman of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and Juan-Carlos Capelli (left), Vice-President of LONGINES International and Head of Marketing, jointly kick-off the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races 2015 barrier draw at the Parade Ring of Sha Tin Racecourse today.


Photo 2

Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice-President of LONGINES and Head of International Marketing, starts the barrier draw for the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase by picking the first horse name.
Photo 3:
Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice-President of LONGINES and Head of International Marketing, starts the barrier draw for the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase by picking the first horse name.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase �V Mrs Tony Cruz draws Gate 1 for Hong Kong representative Helene Super Star.
Photo 4:
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase �V Mrs Tony Cruz draws Gate 1 for Hong Kong representative Helene Super Star.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase - French trainer Alain de Royer Dupre gets Gate 6 for his runner Dariyan.
Photo 5:
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase - French trainer Alain de Royer Dupre gets Gate 6 for his runner Dariyan.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase �V An owner representative draws Gate 8 for Flintshire, the defending champion of the Vase, representing France.
Photo 6:
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase �V An owner representative draws Gate 8 for Flintshire, the defending champion of the Vase, representing France.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase �V A representative of Irish contender Highland Reel draws Gate 9.
Photo 7:
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase �V A representative of Irish contender Highland Reel draws Gate 9.

LONGINES Hong Kong Vase �V HKJC former Steward and owner representative Iain Bruce draws Gate 10 for Australian runner Preferment.
Photo 8:
LONGINES Hong Kong Vase �V HKJC former Steward and owner representative Iain Bruce draws Gate 10 for Australian runner Preferment.

Officiating guests and connections of the runners of the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase take to the stage for a group photo at the barrier draw ceremony.
Photo 9:
Officiating guests and connections of the runners of the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase take to the stage for a group photo at the barrier draw ceremony.

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the HKJC, picks the first horse name in the barrier draw of LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint.
Photo 10:
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chief Executive Officer of the HKJC, picks the first horse name in the barrier draw of LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint.

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint �V Owner Pan Sutong draws Gate 6 for his runner Gold-Fun.
Photo 11:
LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint �V Owner Pan Sutong draws Gate 6 for his runner Gold-Fun.

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint �V The Owner��s representative of Irish contender Sole Power draws Gate 8.
Photo 12:
LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint �V The Owner��s representative of Irish contender Sole Power draws Gate 8.

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint �V HKJC Steward Silas Yang draws Gate 3 for his runner Rich Tapestry.
Photo 13:
LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint �V HKJC Steward Silas Yang draws Gate 3 for his runner Rich Tapestry.

LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint �V A representative of Japanese runner Straight Girl gets Gate 13.
Photo 14:
LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint �V A representative of Japanese runner Straight Girl gets Gate 13.

Trainer Ganbat Enebish draws Gate 4 for American runner Mongolian Saturday.
Photo 15:
Trainer Ganbat Enebish draws Gate 4 for American runner Mongolian Saturday.

Officiating guests and connections of the runners of the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint take to the stage for a group photo at the barrier draw ceremony.
Photo 16:
Officiating guests and connections of the runners of the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint take to the stage for a group photo at the barrier draw ceremony.

Anthony Chow, Deputy Chairman of the HKJC, commences the barrier draw for the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile by picking the first horse name.
Photo 17:
Anthony Chow, Deputy Chairman of the HKJC, commences the barrier draw for the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile by picking the first horse name.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V Dr Cornel Li Fook Kwan draws Gate 10 for Able Friend, the defending champion of Hong Kong Mile.
Photo 18:
LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V Dr Cornel Li Fook Kwan draws Gate 10 for Able Friend, the defending champion of Hong Kong Mile.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V Trainer John Size gets Gate 12 for his runner Contentment.
Photo 19:
LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V Trainer John Size gets Gate 12 for his runner Contentment.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V A representative of British runner Mondialiste gets Gate 13.
Photo 20:
LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V A representative of British runner Mondialiste gets Gate 13.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V A representative of Japanese runner Maurice draws Gate 11.
Photo 21:
LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V A representative of Japanese runner Maurice draws Gate 11.

LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V A representative of French runner Esoterique gets Gate 3.
Photo 22:
LONGINES Hong Kong Mile �V A representative of French runner Esoterique gets Gate 3.

Officiating guests and connections of the runners of the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile take to the stage for a group photo at the barrier draw ceremony.
Photo 23:
Officiating guests and connections of the runners of the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile take to the stage for a group photo at the barrier draw ceremony.

Dr Simon Ip, Chairman of the HKJC, starts the barrier draw for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
Photo 24:
Dr Simon Ip, Chairman of the HKJC, starts the barrier draw for the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V Owner representative Carlson Cheng draws Gate 6 for Designs On Rome �V the defending champion of Hong Kong Cup.
Photo 25:
LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V Owner representative Carlson Cheng draws Gate 6 for Designs On Rome �V the defending champion of Hong Kong Cup.

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V A representative of Irish runner Free Eagle draws Gate 9.
Photo 26:
LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V A representative of Irish runner Free Eagle draws Gate 9.

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V A representative of French runner Gailo Chop draws Gate 7.
Photo 27:
LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V A representative of French runner Gailo Chop draws Gate 7.

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V Australian trainer Kris Lees draws Gate 5 for his runner Lucia Valentina.
Photo 28:
LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V Australian trainer Kris Lees draws Gate 5 for his runner Lucia Valentina.

LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V Japanese trainer Makoto Saito draws Gate 3 for his runner Nuovo Record.
Photo 29:
LONGINES Hong Kong Cup �V Japanese trainer Makoto Saito draws Gate 3 for his runner Nuovo Record.

Officiating guests and connections of LONGINES Hong Kong Cup runners pose for a group photo at the barrier draw ceremony.
Photo 30:
Officiating guests and connections of LONGINES Hong Kong Cup runners pose for a group photo at the barrier draw ceremony.

All officiating guests, attending owners, trainers and horse connections toast for a successful LONGINES HKIR at Sha Tin Racecourse this Sunday.
Photo 31:
All officiating guests, attending owners, trainers and horse connections toast for a successful LONGINES HKIR at Sha Tin Racecourse this Sunday.

 

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