Hong Kong��s seven all set and Master Kochanwong primed for swansong

25/03/2016

Master Kochanwong had not been seen on the main track at Meydan racecourse since an exuberant show on Wednesday morning, so trainer David Hall was pleased to see his G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, dirt) contender do everything right at the canter this morning, with the Dubai World Cup meeting just one day away.

“This morning is his second time at the big track and the first morning a couple of horses galloped past him and that fired him up, he was really raring to go,” said the trainer, who watched today’s exercise alongside big-race pilot Douglas Whyte. “Today is the first time I’ve seen him and he took it all in his stride and handled it really well.”

Master Kochanwong exhibited freshness when first entering the track at around 7am, but moved well enough at the canter; head down; rider Gary Lau’s hands low to the base of the gelding’s neck. A five-time winner at 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt track, Master Kochanwong could well be the smallest horse in Saturday’s sprint, his peak racing weight being around the 1050lb mark.

“He’s not a big strong horse and he doesn’t carry a lot of extra condition so there’s always that concern about the travel,” said Hall, “but I think he’s travelled over really well. He’s taken it all in his stride and he looks terrific, I’m really happy.”

Hall is clear that, no matter what the result, the six-year-old Commands gelding will not race again after Saturday night.

“It’s his swan song, he’s going to be retired, win, lose or draw. He has his troubles but amazingly he keeps winning and if horses keep turning up on the day you never know what you’re going to get.

“It’s a high quality race with some strong competitors but he has a great draw, Dougie knows the horse really well and if he gets a smooth run there could be a surprise. I think the horse in in good order, so if he can finish in the first five we’ll walk away pretty happy.”

Moreiramania
It was a busy eve-of-race-day morning at the track with more connections and media in attendance than on previous days this week. Joao Moreira arrived at 5am to partner Japan’s UAE Derby hope Yu Change. The Brazilian ace found himself at the centre of a civilised version of a paparazzi scrum as Hong Kong’s dedicated racing press lined up alongside a host of early-rising Japanese media interests to take pictures and record interviews.

Moreira has five rides on the day and in the main event, the $10 million G1 Dubai World Cup, he partners the Caspar Fownes-trained Gun Pit for Hong Kong. The Dubawi five-year-old cantered under Danny Suen today, as usual.

“Gun Pit has a great draw – that gives us options,” said Moreira. “Another thing in his favour is that the last two winners of the World Cup finished second in the race he was second in three weeks ago (G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3). So, looking at that history and the records, that indicates we can be winning.

“It’s a race that every jockey, trainer and owner wants to win. I'm here to win. I’ll enjoy it but I’ll enjoy it with my mind sharp and set up to get the best out of the horse – out of all the horses I’ll be riding tomorrow.

“Gun Pit’s got a very high chance to be in the top four, based on his performance the other day. Caspar was confident he could improve the horse a little bit more and that’s probably going to be enough to put him right there with them.”

Millard, Chang and Moore
With Moreiramania sharply in focus, Master Kochanwong’s Dubai Golden Shaheen rivals Super Jockey and Domineer did their usual routine canters in the background. Both looked well. Super Jockey, last year’s Golden Shaheen runner-up, maintained his usual slow canter under Beverly Millard but the Sandtrap seven-year-old gave every appearance of a horse fit, fresh and bubbling under with an eagerness for the fray.   

“He’s coming in fresh. I like what I see,” said trainer Tony Millard. “I’ve got him as good, if not better, than last year. The draw’s better too. Last year we were out in 12 and this time we’re in six so we just need a little bit of luck.

“The American horse (X Y Jet) is quite impressive and the other Hong Kong horses have drawn well, and they’re quick, too. It’s going to be tough, even from the six draw. The perception on Super Saturday was that it was a leader’s bias, so it will be interesting to see how the track rides on the night.”

Hong Kong’s fourth Golden Shaheen raider, Rich Tapestry, has been in Dubai since February. Victorious in that month’s G3 Al Shindagha Sprint (1200m, dirt), Michael Chang’s charge was only third in the G3 Mahab Al Shimaal (1200m, dirt) last start when he was found to have mucus in his throat.

“I think he’s slightly better than last run,” said Chang, who has saddled the G1 winner to finish second and third in the last two editions of tomorrow’s contest. “His coat is shining and the mucus has cleared. He’s put on about 12 to 15 pounds in weight so his condition is getting better.”

Rich Tapestry had a straightforward canter under Tommy Wong, with Chang and big-race rider Gerald Mosse looking on.

The Tony Cruz-trained Peniaphobia also undertook his usual exercise, an easy canter on the dirt track under Chan Chiu-hin, and appears to be in good heart. Peniaphobia’s fellow G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m, turf) contender, the John Moore-trained Not Listenin’tome, remained in the quarantine stables as planned.

“I think Not Listenin’tome’s the one they have to beat – it’s my view that he’s the best 1000-metre horse in Hong Kong,” said Moore. “It’s a high quality race but it’s been a no-hassle trip so far; he got straight into his tucker when he got here; the desert sun has been really good for his coat, he’s got a fabulous sheen to it; I’m happy with his weight.”