Rich Tapestry’s anticipated swansong in the KOR G1 Korea Sprint (1200m) hangs in the balance after Michael Chang’s stable star laboured through a sub-par barrier trial at Sha Tin racecourse this morning (Tuesday, 30 August).
The eight-year-old, a winner in Dubai and the USA on dirt and Tapeta, never looked comfortable under Olivier Doleuze in the 1200m hit out on the all-weather track. Niggled along just behind the pace, the veteran found little in the home stretch and was not put under any exertion as he dropped out in the run to the line to finish sixth of 12.
Doleuze described the effort as “below average” and jockey, trainer and owners engaged in an extended post-trial discussion.
“His trial was only so-so,” said Chang. “He was feeling a little soreness in his joint so we will give him some medication today and then see how he is at the weekend. If he passes the vet, we will go on to Korea, but if he is not himself then we will not take him.”
Rich Tapestry was last in action at Meydan, Dubai on 26 March when a well-beaten seventh in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, dirt), a race in which he had made the frame in both 2014 and 2015.
“He injured the joint in Dubai and I gave him three months off,” said Chang of his stable star. “I started him back in late June and he’s been working up to this race in Korea but this morning he was just feeling a bit sore again.”
Four days ago Rich Tapestry had his third piece of accompanied fast work going into Korea’s inaugural international race day on Sunday, 11 September. On that occasion, the Holy Roman Emperor gelding galloped 1200m in 1m 16.3s, closing out in 22.9s.
The Irish-bred has made his name as an international dirt track star thanks to wins in the G1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship - an historic first U.S. win for a Hong Kong-trained horse - and Dubai’s G3 Mahab Al Shimaal and G3 Al Shindagha Sprint.
“Hopefully he will still make it to Korea but, if not, he’s done his job, so if he does not go to Korea I’ll recommend to the owners that we retire him,” said Chang.
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Photo 1:
Rich Tapestry (red cap) finishes sixth in a 1200m all-weather barrier trial at Sha Tin today.
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