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Moore puts finishing touches to his AP QEII Cup trio

21/04/2016

A busy work morning at Sha Tin, three days out from Sunday’s (24 April) G1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (2000m), saw eye-catching turf gallops from overseas stars Lovely Day, Nuovo Record and Rising Romance. But long before the sun had broken through the early mist and well in advance of the international press corps’ mass arrival, John Moore’s big three boosted optimism of a local victory.

“I was really pleased with the three horses this morning – they’re peaking at the right time. Overall, I couldn’t be happier. There have been no setbacks, everything’s gone to plan and if the overseas horses don’t bring their ‘A game’ we’ll be on it,” said Moore after watching Designs On Rome, Werther and Helene Happy Star shine in their final fast work.

The vibe emanating from the trainer seemed to be that Werther, last month’s HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby winner (2000m) could be the pick of his.

“Werther will be right on their hammer,” he said, adding “we hope” as a precautionary afterthought. “He’ll need to take another step because this is the best field of horses for the AP QEII Cup that I can remember.”

The four-year-old put in a solid gallop under work rider Thomas Yeung, clocking 1m 25.1s for the 1200m (32.7, 29.4, 23.0). The gelding gave the impression that the tank was full and the machine well-oiled as he passed the post powerfully upsides the lead horse, Beauty Prince.

“Werther worked without blinkers, we didn’t want him to do too much because Thomas Yeung who rides him every morning said ‘you’ve got him really fit’ and he really is a fit, fit horse,” said Moore.

“He’s the sort of horse that can lay up and the Japanese horses won’t get too far away. Designs On Rome, the race might not be run to suit, but Werther worked really well – he came home really strongly and pulled up clean in the wind. He’s gone on from the Derby.”

Helene Happy Star was next to work and last season’s HKG3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup winner (2400m) moved well under big-race pilot Blake Shinn.

“They worked over 1200 metres, went three-quarter pace, picked up a bit about the 500 and came up the run-in strongly,” said the Australian rider, who gave the five-year-old two slaps at around the furlong mark.

“We wanted the best part of his work to be the last bit and as soon as I gave him a little bit of a reminder – it wasn’t too much, just a slap on the shoulder to pick him up – as soon as I did that he responded to my command. He came up underneath and worked very well.

 

“It was nice work; he felt terrific and pulled up good. He seems to be in good order for Sunday and I’m sure he’ll run well. Put a line through his last run and go on his run two starts back in the Hong Kong Gold Cup behind Designs On Rome, and if he runs up to that I’m sure he’ll be more than competitive.”

Moore was also pleased after observing the gelding clock 1m 21.7s (31.0, 28.2, 22.5) for the 1200m, in company with Basic Trilogy.

“I’m very happy with his work; he’s done exactly what I wanted from him,” said the handler, speaking in the immediate aftermath. “We’re just hoping for a good draw where he can sit just back of the speed - again, he’ll need to take a step, probably two, on what he’s shown previously if he’s to win on Sunday, but he’s in the right form.”

Designs On Rome, the 2013/14 Hong Kong Horse of the Year, was the first of the Moore trio to emerge. Working in company with the stable’s chief lead horse, Leading City, the 2014 QEII Cup champ galloped on the all-weather track, a departure from the initial plan to complete preparations on the turf course. The six-year-old clocked 1m 22.2s (32.2, 27.3, 22.7) for the 1200m.

“Taking into consideration Designs On Rome’s joints – which are handling really well – I just had a look down the straight on the turf and saw that the markers were positioned quite far out; as a precaution I decided to change his work to the dirt – it’s more level – and he worked in around 1 minute 22 seconds. His rider, Henry (Wong), was delighted with the work and he’s going into the race as fit as we can get him,” said the trainer, who is shooting for a fifth win in the race.

The horses galloped shortly after a downpour and more rain is forecast throughout the coming days, raising the possibility of Sha Tin’s famously well-drained track riding easier than usual. Moore has no concerns about that prospect.

“There should be a bit of sap in the ground and if it rained on the day that would be perfect,” he said. “Werther, he’s a New Zealand horse and he handles all surfaces, Helene Happy Star won the Queen Mother last year on wet ground and Designs On Rome, any cushion will help.”

Also in action this morning was the Tony Cruz-trained duo Blazing Speed and Helene Super Star. Each did a solid piece of routine fast exercise on the all-weather. Last year’s victor, Blazing Speed, looked primed for Sunday as he clocked 56.7s (30.2, 26.5), while Helene Super Star was timed at 57.5s (31.1, 26.4).

Werther (near side) exercises on turf this morning.
Photo 1:
Werther (near side) exercises on turf this morning.

 

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