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Audemars Piguet QEII Cup�V Form Comments

21/04/2016

BLAZING SPEED - HK
Career peak victory in last year’s AP QEII Cup, defeating Japan’s Staphanos impressively. Announced arrival at top table the previous season with win in 2014 HKG1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and closed out that campaign with victory in the HKG1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m). On the mark again in November 2014 G2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m). Close 2nd in Jockey Club Cup and 3rd in G1 Hong Kong Cup his best efforts this term. Fair sixth in Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) latest. Settles mid to fore. No ground issues.

HIGHLAND REEL - IRE
Won G2 Vintage Stakes (1400m) as a juvenile. Proved top-class at three winning G3 Gordon Stakes (2400m), a make-all G1 Secretariat Stakes (2000m) at Arlington, and G1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin in December when raced prominently. Also 2nd in G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) and 3rd in G1 Cox Plate (2040m). Solid 1st up run latest when 4th in G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) at Meydan. Best when handy & can lead. Best on sound surface.

LOVELY DAY - JPN
Solid Pattern race performer first three seasons. Bloomed into a star last season with wins in G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m), G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m), G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) and G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) (2000m). Rounded out 2015 with  close third in G1 Japan Cup (2400m) and fifth in December’s G1 Arima Kinen (2500m). Eye-catching fourth to Ambitious on seasonal debut latest in G2 Sankei Osaka Hai (2000m). Relishes fast ground. Sits handily/fore of midfield.

DESIGNS ON ROME - HK
Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year in 2013/14 and the leading 2000m horse in Hong Kong since winning the 2014 AP QEII Cup. Five course and distance wins also include HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby, G1 Hong Kong Cup (2014) and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2015 & 2016). Below par first three starts this term following minor leg surgery last summer. Back on top with February’s Gold Cup win. Fine third latest in HKG2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m). Deep closer. No going issues.

MILITARY ATTACK - HK
Won AP QEII Cup and G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) in 2013. Was crowned that season’s Hong Kong Horse of the Year. Won the HKG1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) in 2013 and 2014. A neck behind Designs On Rome in the 2014 AP QEII Cup and a short-head behind same rival in 2014 G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m). Fourth course and distance win in November’s G2 Jockey Club Cup and a length third to Designs On Rome in February’s G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup. Sits handy, likes quick ground.

HELENE HAPPY STAR - HK
A 2000m Listed winner as a three-year-old in England. One win from 14 Hong Kong starts was a make-all in a wet renewal of last season’s HKG3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m). Raced twice more at that trip when third in last May’s G1 Champions & Chater Cup and a solid fifth in December’s G1 Hong Kong Vase. Best effort of an in-and-out season so far came at course and distance when a closing second to Designs On Rome in February’s G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m). Versatile with regard to going and tactics.

SATONO CROWN - JPN
High-class and lightly-raced talent. Easily won G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) latest. Often goes well fresh and has won first-up all three seasons. Won Nakayama’s G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (2000m) in March, 2015 before sixth to Duramente in G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m), and third in G1 Tokyo Yushun (2400m). Spelled before disappointing 17th on return in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) (2000m). Proven on soft and firm going. Usually settles midfield.

HELENE SUPER STAR - HK
In-and-out performer but top-class on his day. Won G2 UAE Derby (1900m) for Aidan O’Brien pre-import. First HK win at start five - a 1800m Class 2 Sha Tin handicap. Eight further races passed without success, the pick being a fifth place in the 2014 G1 Hong Kong Cup, before winning 1800m Happy Valley Class 2 in January, 2015. Runner-up two starts later in G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m). Career peak a short-head victory in the G1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) last term. Can lead. Best on quick going.

ERTIJAAL - UAE
Multiple winner in South Africa from 1400m to 2000m including 2015 G1 Cape Derby (2000m). Also 2nd to French Navy in G1 Daily News 2000 (2000m). Raced in Dubai so far this year: 2nd to stablemate Forries Waltz in 1800m G2; led and headed when third to Tryster in G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m); ran on from deep for fourth behind Real Steel latest in the G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) at the end of March. Tactically versatile. Best on good going.

WERTHER - HK
Won BMW Hong Kong Derby at course and distance latest (4th HK start). Won 2015 G2 Championship Stakes over 2100m at Ellerslie pre-import; also the G2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m); also second in G1 South Australian Derby (2500m) and G1 Queensland Derby (2200m). Won Class 2 mile handicap 1st up in HK. Then second to Sun Jewellery in HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile and HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m). Settles mid pack. Handles all going.

HORSE OF FORTUNE - HK
Horse of Fortune rattled off a hat-trick of wins in his first three career starts in South Africa including 1200m Listed. Also second in an 1800m G3 and sixth behind Legislate in the G1 Cape Derby his sole start at 2000m. Scored at the seventh HK start, a 1650m Happy Valley Class 3. Made frame all six races this term - all at Happy Valley - for three wins. Often handy. No going concerns.

NUOVO RECORD - JPN
Third to Harp Star in Japan’s 1,000 Guineas (1600m) in 2014 and then defeated that rival to win the Japanese Oaks (2400m). Only two wins since, latest in March 2015 G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) but competitive at top-class level in defeat since: 2nd in G1 Shuka Sho (2000m); twice 2nd in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m); 2nd in December’s G1 Hong Kong Cup at course and distance when the only closer to get within striking range of the all-the-way winner, A Shin Hikari. Solid first-up sixth latest in G2 Sankei Osaka Hai (2000m). Settles midfield. Untried on easier than good.

RISING ROMANCE - AUS
Debuted as three-year-old: placed second in the G1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and won G1 Australian Oaks (2400m). Only win at four in a 1500m handicap at Ellerslie, but also 2nd to Admire Rakti in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and 2nd in G1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m). 11 starts so far this term: best efforts 2nd in G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and G1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m), and third in G1 Australian Cup (2000m). 5th of 10 in G1 BMW (2400m) at end of March and 4th of 14 latest in G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on 9 April. Relishes good going and handles cut. Can sit handy or deep.

 

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