Richard Gibson’s success in Hong Kong to date is closely connected to the achievements he has enjoyed in tandem with Pan Sutong. On Sunday 1 May trainer and owner will once again combine for an assault on Group 1 majors, this time the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) and Champions Mile with Gold-Fun and Giant Treasure.
The latter came of age in December when splitting a pair of champions, Japan’s Maurice and Hong Kong’s own Able Friend, to claim a then career highlight second in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile. Victory in the following month’s G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) proved that was no fluke.
Gibson stretched the grey to 2000m last start for a nondescript ninth in February’s G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, but his track work since has been eye-catching, notably an impressive 1200m dirt barrier trial last Tuesday in which he passed the post ahead of fellow Champions Mile contender Packing Pins in a time of 1m 10.42s.
“His track work has been mightily impressive,” said Gibson. “He’s got so much natural speed and we’re delighted with his condition going into the race on Sunday.
“I think the horse is really peaking, he’s on top of his game, he’s mentally in a great place; we’ve freshened him up since his last race and we’re looking forward to Sunday because again we’ve got to be at our very best to beat these top international horses.”
Japan’s Horse of the Year Maurice is once again amongst the raiding party, which this time features the Godolphin duo of Bow Creek and Safety Check, too. Gibson does not fear the challenge.
“All last week we were saying Hong Kong had no chance and which journalist was predicting Hong Kong to finish in the first three places of the QEII?,” he noted, referencing Sunday’s eclipse of overseas stars when local hero Werther stormed away from toiling challengers. “We’ve got home advantage, which is always a big plus in racing. Foreign horses have to be really on top of their game to beat us.”
Veteran French ace Olivier Peslier will fly in to partner Giant Treasure and Gold-Fun in Sunday’s features.
Gold-Fun, Hong Kong’s Champion Miler in 2014 and fifth in that year’s Champions Mile – a repeat of his placing 12 months prior – is now established as one of Hong Kong’s elite rank sprinters. The chestnut won the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, without its newly-awarded international G1 status but nonetheless a world class contest, in 2015.
Gold-Fun has maintained a high standard this term, winning the G2 Jockey Club Sprint, and placing second to Peniaphobia in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint and behind Aerovelocity in the HKG1 Centenary Sprint Cup, all at the course and distance.
“The horse has been on the sprint programme for the past couple of seasons now and he’s proven himself amongst the very best in Hong Kong,” said Gibson. “We’ve got a fantastic race on Sunday, it’s the best sprint race I’ve seen since I’ve been in Hong Kong, so he’s going to have to be at his very best to perform against these top class horses.”
Gold-Fun stepped out last Tuesday in a 1050m trial on the dirt track. The seven-year-old found cover behind horses and kept on into a headwind to finish mid pack in a time of 1m 01.96s. Not the sparkling effort of his stablemate two batches earlier, but in no way concerning to his trainer.
“It’s clear to see that Gold-Fun’s track work is less impressive, he’s an older horse, he’s done it before and he’s always given his best in the afternoon, so I’m not disappointed with his track work. He’s in good condition and he’s been racing well all year,” said Gibson.
Gold-Fun and Giant Treasure both hold an entry to the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot in June and should they perform well on Sunday, one of the pair could make the journey to England.
“I always like to look one race at a time but I don’t think both horses will go,” said Gibson.
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Photo 1:
Giant Treasure takes top honours in the G1 Stewards�� Cup earlier this season.
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