Despite a record of eight wins from 10 starts, Japanese invader A Shin Hikari had much to prove in the HK$25 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup today (13 December). He had yet to capture a Group 1 race and many questioned if his speed could stay the course.
Those doubts have been erased.
Ninth in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn last out in Japan, the four-year-old son of Deep Impact left from barrier 11 under Yutaka Take. He quickly raced to the lead through a moderate opening quarter of 26.17s. He quickened on the rest of the way (23.47, 23.75, 23.59, 23.62) and never came back to the field, holding off the late advances of fellow Japanese raider Nuovo Record to win the world's richest 2000m turf race in a final clocking of 2m 00.60s. Blazing Speed settled for third.
It was a second HKIR win for Take (2001 Vase, Stay Gold) and first event win for trainer Masanori Sakaguchi.
“The horse was in very good condition so I had much confidence going into the race,” jockey Take said. “The horse sometimes has a difficult temperament, but he’s in good form so I thought he had a very good chance. Travelling to Hong Kong will be very suitable for him in the future.”
It was the first Cup win for Japan since 2001 when Agnes Digital took down top honors. It was the 10th Japanese winner of an International race at the meeting. Maurice became the ninth earlier in the day with his score in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.
“He usually has a difficult temperament but he was more relaxed than usual today so I felt good he would show his very good talent today,” Sakaguchi said. “The horse will now get a vacation.”
Jockey Ryan Moore, who won two HKIR races earlier in the day (Vase with Highland Reel and Mile with Maurice), was pleased with Nuovo Record’s performance and campaigned for additional respect.
“She came here with a rating of 112 and that’s just wrong,” Moore said of the filly. “She was underrated. I’m very pleased with her, she ran a cracker. The other one was just too good on the day.”
Out the back early, defending Cup champ Designs On Rome ran on for fourth.
“I was very happy with the horse’s run,” jockey Joao Moreira said. “They went a very strong pace and he tends to get back early and was well back again but finished very strongly. I was delighted with his effort.”
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Photo 1:
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A Shin Hikari (No. 11) under Yutaka Take edges Nuovo Record to land the HK$25 million LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (Group 1-2000M).
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Photo 2
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Photo 3
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Photo 5:
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Jockey Yutaka Take, trainer Masanori Sakaguchi and owner representative of A Shin Hikari celebrate their victory in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
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Photo 6
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Photo 8:
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The Hon Lam Woon Kwong (right), Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council of the HKSAR, presents the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup trophy and a bronze statuette of a horse and jockey to owner representative of A Shin Hikari, trainer Masanori Sakaguchi and jockey Yutaka Take.
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Photo 9
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Photo 10
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Photo 11
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Photo 12:
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Mr Walter von Kanel (right), President of LONGINES International, presents a LONGINES Master Collection watch to owner representative of A Shin Hikari, trainer Masanori Sakaguchi and jockey Yutaka Take.
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Photo 13
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Photo 15:
Group photo at the presentation ceremony of the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
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Photo 16:
A toasting ceremony is held at Jockey Club Box after the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
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Photo 17:
Happy connections share their happiness with media for the success of A Shin Hikari in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
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Photo 18:
Mr Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, presents a prize of HK$5,000 to the groom responsible for Designs On Rome, the Best Turned Out Horse in the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup.
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