Werther faces his toughest test yet in the G1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday 24 April but the prospect of facing an impressive international field is not fazing trainer John Moore, who has every faith that this season’s HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby hero has enough mettle to measure up to the challenge.
Moore watched the Tavistock gelding breeze through a 1000m turf barrier trial at the track this morning, with Zac Purton filling in for big-race pilot Hugh Bowman. The four-year-old settled behind the pace and kept on through the final stages to pass the post two and a half lengths fifth to the Richard Gibson-trained Consort.
“Purton said he trialled very nicely,” commented Moore. “He said he moved really well and had a good blow, and that blow-out will have done him the world of good. I’m delighted with him.”
Werther is set to lock horns with an array of world-class opponents in the first of Hong Kong’s three spring Group 1 features, including Japanese stars Lovely Day, Nuovo Record and Satono Crown, Ireland’s G1 Hong Kong Vase hero Highland Reel, top-class Australian mare Rising Romance and South African G1 winner Ertijaal.
“The competition from Japan is about as good as you’re going to get, so our work’s cut out but this is what it’s all about, proving your horse on the world stage. Now he has to take one step more. Hopefully he can get a nice draw in the race and just track back behind the speed,” said Moore.
The trainer is expecting another good show from his charge and believes the rigours of Werther’s Hong Kong Derby prep will not adversely affect the gelding. The bay, a four-time winner from 13 starts in Australasia pre-import, won first-up in Hong Kong back in December and was then second in both January’s HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile and February’s HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) before landing the 2000m Derby in March.
“He’s a really tough New Zealand-bred horse, and, take into consideration what he was asked to do in Australia, and consider the form that he’s in now and the good weight gain since his last run, I don't think he’s taken any harm from the Derby. I believe he will hold his form right to the end of the season. I think he’s very durable and he’s a delight to train, he’s a very straightforward horse.”
Werther sported pacifiers to shield his eyes during this morning’s trial in company with nine others.
“I put the pacifiers on him because there was a bit of kickback on the turf this morning and I didn’t want him to sustain any damage so close to the race - an injured eye would have really upset the apple cart,” said the trainer, who also has 2014 victor Designs On Rome engaged in the showpiece, along with another of this morning’s triallists, fourth-placed Helene Happy Star.
April 12 Barrier Trial Batch 1 Video
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Photo 1:
Werther (second from right) finishes fifth in a 1000m turf barrier trial today with Zac Purton on board.
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