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Hong Kong Cup

PRECISION COMPLETES OUTSTANDING DAY FOR HONG KONG HORSES

Completing the greatest day in the history of Hong Kong racing, Precision drove to an upset victory Sunday in the 16th running of the HK$18-million Hong Kong Cup (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Benefiting from a brilliant ride by Mick Kinane, the four-year-old gelding by Anabaa prevailed by a short head over Germany's representative, Paolini. Precision thus became the third Hong Kong-based runner to emerge victorious in the 2002 Hong Kong International Races.

Paolini was a half-length better than Dano-Mast, the representative from Denmark, who finished third. They were followed in order in the field of 12 by Sarafan, Eishin Preston, Housemaster, favoured Grandera, Indian Creek, Come See You, Dr. More, Cellini and Royal Treasure.

Precision's time for the 2000-metre distance was 2:07.1. Sent off at the huge odds of almost 66/1, he returned the highest win mutuel in the history of Hong Kong's international racing festival. Precision is owned by Wu Sai Wing, whose smile in the Sha Tin winner's circle seemed brighter than the fireworks display that followed the International Races programme.

"I had a smooth run on the outside, while everyone else was having a rough time on the rail," Kinane said.. "When I asked Precision to quicken he did it very well. I have to admit it is a bit of a surprise, but it's great to finish the season like this."

"This is my first international victory, and it means an awful lot," said the victorious trainer, David Oughton. Born in England, the 46-year-old Oughton has been training in Hong Kong for 15 years.

Last April, Oughton sent out Precision to a seventh-place finish in the Audemars Piguet QE II Cup (G1) at Sha Tin. Oughton's charge, inarguably, has improved since then. "He has strengthened up with work," said Oughton. "This is wonderful for Hong Kong racing"

On March 17 of this year, Olympic Express and Precision finished one-two in Sha Tin's Hong Kong Derby.

On Sunday, Olympic Express defeated a field of crack international contenders in the Hong Kong Mile (G1). Approximately a half-hour later, Precision did the same in the Hong Kong Cup.

Andreas Suborics, who rode Paolini, was gallant in defeat. "I'm so glad Paolini has proved he is as good as we always thought," Suborics said. "I had a dream ride, no excuses. But it's always disappointing to be beaten by such a small margin."

In 2001, the Japan representatives Agnes Digital, Eishin Preston and Stay Gold were triumphant in the Hong Kong Cup, Mile and Vase (G1). But this year, it was Hong Kong's turn to register what a hat trick on their home field.

The crowd at Sha Tin numbered 55,451.

About Hong Kong Cup

HK$18 million (approx. US$2,300,000)
2000m /10f /turf /3yo+

The Hong Kong Cup was initially run as the Hong Kong Invitation Cup in January 1988 when the overseas entries were confined to Malaysia and Singapore. The race was granted Group 3 status in 1993, Group 2 in 1994, and it became the first race in Hong Kong with full international Group 1 ranking in 1999 - when it also became the final leg of the Emirates World Series. The Cup's distance was increased to 2000m from 1800m in 1999. This year, the Hong Kong Cup becomes the richest race in the world over 2000m at HK$18 million (approx. US$2.3 million, GB¢G1.56 million, Aus$4.5 million).

Last year, Agnes Digital crowned a memorable day for Japanese racing with a battling victory in the HK$18 million Hong Kong Cup, the final leg of the World Series.

Final leg of World Series Racing Championship

Prize Money - HK$18 million plus trophies for the winning owner, trainer and jockey is divided as below: Weights
Place Prize (HK$) Prize (US$)
1st 10,200,000 (approx. 1,300,000)
2nd 4,000,000 (approx. 510,000)
3rd 1,800,000 (approx. 230,000)
4th 1,000,000 (approx. 125,000)
5th 600,000 (approx. 75,000)
6th 400,000 (approx. 50,000)
 
Northern Hemisphere
Horse Description
Southern Hemisphere
kgs lbs lbs kgs
57 126
4yo+ c., h. & g.
 126 57
55.25 122
4yo+ f. & m.
 122 55.25
55.75 123
3yo c.& g.
 112 50.75
54 119
3yo f.
108 49
(c - colt; f - filly; g - gelding; h - horse; m - mare)

HK$1 million bonus
HK International Races 2002 - APQEII Cup 2003
The Hong Kong Jockey Club will award a HK$1 million (approx. US$130,000) bonus to the owner of any horse that wins one of the four HK International Races (HK Cup / HK Mile / HK Vase / HK Sprint) on 15 December 2002 and the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1 / HK$14 million / 2000m /10f / turf / 3yo+) to be run on 27 April 2003 at Sha Tin Racecourse.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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