Making his 33rd start in Hong Kong, Tony Cruz trainee Multivictory (114lb) landed his first pattern race success, taking the HKG3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (Handicap) today, Friday, 1 January.
“It was not the plan to stay behind, but the instructions were to go forward after the start and settle in second or third in the early stages,” said winning jockey Howard Cheng. “But the trainer told me the horse might not be fast enough to stay in front, and if that was the case, take a hold of the horse.”
The win was the second in three races for the New Zealand-bred son of Bachelor Duke, and the unanticipated change in tactics proved successful.
“After the start I found he couldn’t catch up with the leaders, and thus I chose to settle the horse behind. Despite that, I had the confidence that he would win after turning for home, because he had clocked the 1400m trip in good time previously and with the benefit of carrying lightweight.”
Boxed amongst rivals in tenth around the turn, Cheng waited until straightening and found room outside of horses, commencing a furious rally which ended at the winning post, just a head in front of Packing Pins (125lb).
Exciting Dream (115lb), drawn in gate ten, raced on the lead in another change of tactics, with Packing Pins in close attendance. Contentment (132lb), fifth less than three lengths behind Maurice in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile at his last start, found himself three wide without cover through the turn and finished third.
“I told Howard there would probably be some horses faster than you early, so just be as handy as you can,” said Cruz, who was training his fifth winner in the race. “Then wait for the straight and come on the outside. He came with a big burst and I’m very happy with him. The lightweight is probably what won the race for him.”
“We will probably have to keep him in stakes company now,” Cruz added.
Friday’s total attendance was 77,735, the highest recorded for a New Year’s Day meeting in the last 20 years.
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Photo 1:
Photos 1, 2
Multivictory (No. 11) with Howard Cheng in the saddle claims the Hong Kong Group 3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1400m Handicap) at Sha Tin Racecourse today.
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Photo 2
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Photo 3:
Jubilant connections of Multivictory celebrate their victory at the winners�� circle.
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Photo 4:
Mr. Ramon Lo Jr, Chairman of the Chinese Club, and his wife present the Trophy to representative of Mr Ronald Cheung Joo Cheong, owner of the winning horse.
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Photo 5:
Photos 5, 6
Mr. Michael Au, Honorary Secretary of the Chinese Club and his wife present a miniature of the Trophy each to Tony Cruz and Howard Cheng, trainer and jockey of the winning horse.
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Photo 6
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Photo 7:
Group photo after the presentation ceremony of the Chinese Club Challenge Cup.
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