Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Race Day Watch
 

Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races - 11 December 2011


Entries...

Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (International G1) - Turf 2000M


AUS (15) Altius (AUS) 4 c
December Draw (IRE) 5 g
Foreteller (GB) 5 g
Illo (GER) 5 h
Illustrious Blue (GB) 9 h
King's Rose (NZ) 4 f
Love Conquers All (AUS) 5 h
Luen Yat Forever (AUS) 6 g
My Kingdom of Fife (GB) 7 g
Pinker Pinker (AUS) 4 f
Pressday (AUS) 4 c
Rekindled Interest (AUS) 4 g
Sincero (AUS) 4 g
Triple Honour (NZ) 7 g
Trusting (AUS) 5 h
CAN (1) Mekong Melody (IRE) 6 m
FR (9) Bubble Chic (FR) 3 c
Byword (GB) 5 h
Cirrus des Aigles (FR) 5 g
Divine Music (IRE) 4 f
Dream Peace (IRE) 3 f
Kya One (FR) 3 f
Rajsaman (FR) 4 c
Red Dubawi (IRE) 3 c
Sarafina (FR) 4 f
GB (12) Barbican (GB) 3 g
Class Is Class (IRE) 5 g
Dancing Rain (IRE) 3 f
Green Destiny (IRE) 4 g
I'm a Dreamer (IRE) 4 f
Indian Days (GB) 6 h
Kinky Afro (IRE) 4 f
Midday (GB) 5 m
Nahrain (GB) 3 f
Presvis (GB) 7 g
Ransom Note (GB) 4 c
Snow Fairy (IRE) 4 f
GER (4) Durban Thunder (GER) 5 h
Elle Shadow (IRE) 4 f
Mawingo (GER) 3 c
Russian Tango (GER) 4 c
HK (21) Ambitious Dragon (NZ) 5 g
Beauty Touch (FR) 3 c
California Memory (USA) 5 g
Carthage (FR) 5 g
Destined For Glory (IRE) 4 g
Fat Choy Oohlala (GB) 4 g
Irian (GER) 5 g
Jacobee (GB) 4 g
King Dancer (IRE) 5 g
Let Me Handle It (NZ) 5 g
New Greenfield (GB) 3 c
Packing Tycoon (IRE) 3 c
Pure Champion (IRE) 4 c
Regency King (NZ) 4 g
Super Pistachio (IRE) 5 g
Super Satin (NZ) 6 g
Thumbs Up (NZ) 7 g
Vaugirard (AUS) 6 g
Willie Cazals (IRE) 3 c
Xtension (IRE) 4 c
Zaidan (USA) 3 g
IRE (7) Await the Dawn (USA) 4 c
Banimpire (IRE) 3 f
Bible Belt (IRE) 3 f
Misty for Me (IRE) 3 f
So You Think (NZ) 5 h
Treasure Beach (GB) 3 c
Zoffany (IRE) 3 c
ITY (3) Branderburgo (IRE) 4 c
Permesso (GB) 6 h
Quiza Quiza Quiza (GB) 5 m
JPN (19) Apapane (JPN) 4 f
Aventura (JPN) 3 f
Dark Shadow (JPN) 4 c
Eishin Apollon (USA) 4 c
Eishin Flash (JPN) 4 c
Hiruno d'Amour (JPN) 4 c
King Top Gun (JPN) 8 h
Live Concert (IRE) 7 g
Lord Aries (JPN) 6 h
Meiner Kitz (JPN) 8 h
Meisho Beluga (JPN) 6 m
Moonlit Lake (JPN) 3 c
Real Impact (JPN) 3 c
Rulership (JPN) 4 c
Shadow Gate (JPN) 9 h
Trailblazer (JPN) 4 c
Triumph March (JPN) 5 h
Victoire Pisa (JPN) 4 c
White Pilgrim (JPN) 6 h
NZ (3) Jimmy Choux (NZ) 4 c
Keep The Peace (NZ) 5 m
Red Ruler (NZ) 7 g
SAF (1) River Jetez (SAF) 8 m
SIN (3) Better Than Ever (AUS) 5 g
Hint (AUS) 6 g
Speed Baby (AUS) 5 g
UAE (3) Casamento (IRE) 3 c
Dubai Prince (IRE) 3 c
Poet's Voice (GB) 4 c
USA (10) Acclamation (USA) 5 h
Celtic New Year (USA) 4 g
Champ Pegasus (USA) 5 h
Dean's Kitten (USA) 4 c
Dubawi Heights (GB) 4 f
Gio Ponti (USA) 6 h
Imponente Purse (BRZ) 5 g
Teaks North (USA) 4 g
Tres Borrachos (USA) 6 g
Turning Top (IRE) 5 m


* * *

Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (International G1) - Turf 1600M


AUS (17) Black Piranha (AUS) 8 g
Danleigh (AUS) 8 g
Gathering (AUS) 5 g
Gold Salute (AUS) 8 g
Ilovethiscity (AUS) 4 c
King's Rose (NZ) 4 f
Love Conquers All (AUS) 5 h
Luen Yat Forever (AUS) 6 g
Pinker Pinker (AUS) 4 f
Pressday (AUS) 4 c
Red Tracer (AUS) 4 f
Rekindled Interest (AUS) 4 g
Sincero (AUS) 4 g
Triple Elegance (AUS) 5 g
Triple Honour (NZ) 7 g
Varenna Miss (AUS) 5 m
Woorim (AUS) 6 g
FR (11) Dream Peace (IRE) 3 f
Goldikova (IRE) 6 m
Immortal Verse (IRE) 3 f
Monblue (GB) 4 f
Nova Hawk (GB) 3 f
Rajsaman (FR) 4 c
Red Dubawi (IRE) 3 c
Royal Bench (IRE) 4 c
Sahpresa (USA) 6 m
Shamalgan (FR) 4 c
Surfrider (IRE) 3 c
GB (11) Chilworth Lad (GB) 3 g
Cityscape (GB) 5 h
Dance and Dance (IRE) 5 g
Dick Turpin (IRE) 4 c
Dubawi Gold (GB) 3 c
Excelebration (IRE) 3 c
Kinky Afro (IRE) 4 f
Ransom Note (GB) 4 c
Side Glance (GB) 4 g
Strong Suit (USA) 3 c
Western Aristocrat (USA) 3 c
GER (4) Alianthus (GER) 6 h
Indomito (GER) 5 h
Sommerabend (GB) 4 c
Vanjura (GER) 4 f
HK (34) Able One (NZ) 9 g
Ambitious Dragon (NZ) 5 g
Beauty Flash (NZ) 6 g
Brave Kid (AUS) 6 g
Bullish Champion (IRE) 3 c
Carthage (FR) 5 g
Cerise Cherry (SAF) 6 h
Chater Way (GB) 5 g
Clearly Silver (SAF) 5 g
Fair Trade (AUS) 6 g
Fat Choy Oohlala (GB) 4 g
Flying Blue (AUS) 5 g
Happy Zero (AUS) 7 g
Helene Spirit (IRE) 4 g
Imperial Rome (IRE) 3 c
Lucky Nine (IRE) 4 g
Military Move (NZ) 5 g
Multiglory (AUS) 5 g
New Deerfield (GB) 3 c
Noble Alpha (IRE) 4 g
Packing Tycoon (IRE) 3 c
Penglai Xianzi (AUS) 5 g
Prolific Champion (IRE) 3 c
Regency King (NZ) 4 g
Semos (FR) 4 g
Sichuan Success (AUS) 5 g
Sight Winner (NZ) 8 g
Silver Grecian (GB) 4 g
Smart Giant (NZ) 4 g
Sparkling Power (IRE) 4 c
Sweet Orange (USA) 3 c
Vaugirard (AUS) 6 g
Voile Rouge (NZ) 5 g
Xtension (IRE) 4 c
IRE (3) Dandy Boy (ITY) 5 g
Together (IRE) 3 f
Zoffany (IRE) 3 c
JPN (21) A Shin Forward (USA) 6 h
Apapane (JPN) 4 f
Aventura (JPN) 3 f
Daiwa Barbarian (JPN) 4 c
Fifth Petal (JPN) 5 h
Gorski (JPN) 4 c
Grand Prix Boss (JPN) 3 c
Henny Hound (USA) 3 c
Live Concert (IRE) 7 g
Lord Aries (JPN) 6 h
Lord Balius (JPN) 6 h
Moonlit Lake (JPN) 3 c
Oceania Boss (AUS) 6 h
Rainbow Pegasus (JPN) 6 h
Real Impact (JPN) 3 c
Ridill (JPN) 4 c
San Carlo (JPN) 5 h
Silport (JPN) 6 h
Stella Rossa (JPN) 3 c
Strong Return (JPN) 5 h
Triumph March (JPN) 5 h
NZ (1) Jimmy Choux (NZ) 4 c
SIN (4) Clear For Action (AUS) 4 g
Gingerbread Man (AUS) 4 c
Rocket Man (AUS) 6 g
Speed Baby (AUS) 5 g
UAE (3) Delegator (GB) 5 h
Ecliptic (USA) 3 c
Poet's Voice (GB) 4 c
USA (7) Caracortado (USA) 4 g
Gio Ponti (USA) 6 h
Jeranimo (USA) 5 h
John Johny Jak (USA) 4 r
Right One (FR) 5 g
Sidney's Candy (USA) 4 c
Tres Borrachos (USA) 6 g


* * *


Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (International G1) - Turf 2400M


AUS (8) Altius (AUS) 4 c
December Draw (IRE) 5 g
Foreteller (GB) 5 g
Illo (GER) 5 h
Illustrious Blue (GB) 9 h
My Kingdom of Fife (GB) 7 g
Shootoff (NZ) 4 c
Trusting (AUS) 5 h
CAN (1) Mekong Melody (IRE) 6 m
FR (15) Agent Secret (IRE) 5 h
Americain (USA) 5 h
Announce (GB) 4 f
Cirrus des Aigles (FR) 5 g
Divine Music (IRE) 4 f
Dunaden (FR) 5 h
Ivory Land (FR) 4 c
Kasbah Bliss (FR) 9 g
Miss Crissy (IRE) 3 f
Miss Lago (IRE) 3 f
Mores Wells (GB) 7 h
Sarah Lynx (IRE) 4 f
Shankardeh (IRE) 3 f
Shareta (IRE) 3 f
Silver Pond (FR) 4 c
GB (17) Arctic Cosmos (USA) 4 c
Barbican (GB) 3 g
Class Is Class (IRE) 5 g
Dancing Rain (IRE) 3 f
Dangerous Midge (USA) 5 h
Fox Hunt (IRE) 4 g
I'm a Dreamer (IRE) 4 f
Indian Days (GB) 6 h
Jakkalberry (IRE) 5 h
Joshua Tree (IRE) 4 c
Jukebox Jury (IRE) 5 h
Meeznah (USA) 4 f
Midday (GB) 5 m
Quest for Peace (IRE) 3 c
Red Cadeaux (GB) 5 g
Redwood (GB) 5 h
Snow Fairy (IRE) 4 f
GER (6) Arrigo (GER) 3 c
Danedream (GER) 3 f
Durban Thunder (GER) 5 h
Kapitale (GER) 3 f
Mawingo (GER) 3 c
Tres Rock Danon (FR) 5 h
HK (16) Beauty Touch (FR) 3 c
California Memory (USA) 5 g
Familists (AUS) 5 g
Irian (GER) 5 g
Jacobee (GB) 4 g
King Dancer (IRE) 5 g
Let Me Handle It (NZ) 5 g
Mighty High (FR) 5 g
Military Move (NZ) 5 g
Mr Medici (IRE) 6 h
Packing OK (AUS) 5 g
Pure Champion (IRE) 4 c
Super Pistachio (IRE) 5 g
Super Satin (NZ) 6 g
Thumbs Up (NZ) 7 g
Willie Cazals (IRE) 3 c
IRE (7) Await the Dawn (USA) 4 c
Banimpire (IRE) 3 f
Bible Belt (IRE) 3 f
Goldplated (IRE) 3 f
So You Think (NZ) 5 h
St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) 4 c
Treasure Beach (GB) 3 c
ITY (3) Branderburgo (IRE) 4 c
Permesso (GB) 6 h
Quiza Quiza Quiza (GB) 5 m
JPN (13) Beat Black (JPN) 4 c
Hiruno d'Amour (JPN) 4 c
Jaguar Mail (JPN) 7 h
King Top Gun (JPN) 8 h
Meiner Kitz (JPN) 8 h
Meisho Beluga (JPN) 6 m
Oken Bruce Lee (JPN) 6 h
Rulership (JPN) 4 c
Shadow Gate (JPN) 9 h
Stella Rossa (JPN) 3 c
Trailblazer (JPN) 4 c
Victoire Pisa (JPN) 4 c
White Pilgrim (JPN) 6 h
NZ (2) Keep The Peace (NZ) 5 m
Red Ruler (NZ) 7 g
SAF (1) Irish Flame (SAF) 4 c
SIN (4) Better Than Ever (AUS) 5 g
Hint (AUS) 6 g
Lizarre (SAF) 4 g
Risky Business (AUS) 7 g
UAE (6) Campanologist (USA) 6 h
Casamento (IRE) 3 c
Cavalryman (GB) 5 h
Lost In The Moment (IRE) 4 c
Mahbooba (AUS) 4 f
Modun (IRE) 4 g
USA (7) Acclamation (USA) 5 h
Bourbon Bay (USA) 5 g
Celtic New Year (USA) 4 g
Dean's Kitten (USA) 4 c
Imponente Purse (BRZ) 5 g
Juniper Pass (USA) 4 c
Teaks North (USA) 4 g



* * *
19/10/2011

Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (International G1) - Turf 1200M


AUS (9) Atomic Force (AUS) 6 g
Buffering (AUS) 4 g
Decision Time (AUS) 4 g
Ilovethiscity (AUS) 4 c
Master Harry (AUS) 4 c
Red Tracer (AUS) 4 f
Sister Madly (AUS) 5 m
Temple Of Boom (AUS) 5 g
Varenna Miss (AUS) 5 m
FR (10) Amico Fritz (GER) 5 h
Bluster (FR) 5 g
Clairvoyance (IRE) 4 f
Mar Adentro (FR) 5 g
Marchand D'Or (FR) 8 g
Mariol (FR) 8 g
Silverside (USA) 5 h
Spectacle du Mars (FR) 4 g
Surfrider (IRE) 3 c
Wizz Kid (IRE) 3 f
GB (8) Bated Breath (GB) 4 c
Deacon Blues (GB) 4 g
Eton Rifles (IRE) 6 g
Hitchens (IRE) 6 g
Iver Bridge Lad (GB) 4 c
Royal Rock (GB) 7 g
Secret Asset (IRE) 6 g
Society Rock (IRE) 4 c
GER (1) Smooth Operator (GER) 5 g
HK (31) Able Speed (IRE) 5 g
Admiration (AUS) 4 c
Best Fit (AUS) 4 g
Blaze King (NZ) 6 g
Bullish Champion (IRE) 3 c
California Choice (AUS) 4 c
Captain Sweet (AUS) 4 g
Cerise Cherry (SAF) 6 h
Clearly Silver (SAF) 5 g
Dim Sum (GB) 7 g
Dynamic Blitz (AUS) 7 g
Eagle Regiment (AUS) 4 g
Entrapment (AUS) 5 g
Final Answer (GB) 4 g
Flying Blue (AUS) 5 g
Flying Colours (NZ) 6 g
Green Birdie (NZ) 8 g
Happy Zero (AUS) 7 g
Joy And Fun (NZ) 8 g
Leading City (AUS) 5 g
Let Me Fight (IRE) 4 g
Little Bridge (NZ) 5 g
London China Town (IRE) 4 g
Longwah Supreme (AUS) 4 g
Lucky Nine (IRE) 4 g
Multiglory (AUS) 5 g
Prolific Champion (IRE) 3 c
Rich Unicorn (AUS) 5 g
Sacred Kingdom (AUS) 8 g
Sunny King (IRE) 8 g
Tai Sing Yeh (AUS) 5 g
HUN (1) Overdose (GB) 6 h
IRE (3) Bewitched (IRE) 4 f
Dandy Boy (ITY) 5 g
Sole Power (GB) 4 g
ITY (1) Traditional Chic (IRE) 3 c
JPN (13) A Shin Virgo (JPN) 4 f
Curren Chan (JPN) 4 f
Daiwa Barbarian (JPN) 4 c
Dasher Go Go (JPN) 4 c
Fifth Petal (JPN) 5 h
Grand Prix Angel (JPN) 5 m
Grand Prix Boss (JPN) 3 c
Henny Hound (USA) 3 c
Lord Balius (JPN) 6 h
Lord Kanaloa (JPN) 3 c
Oceania Boss (AUS) 6 h
Pas de Trois (JPN) 4 c
San Carlo (JPN) 5 h
SIN (3) Captain Obvious (AUS) 6 g
Eclair Fastpass (AUS) 5 g
Rocket Man (AUS) 6 g
Spain (1) As De Trebol (USA) 5 h
USA (11) Amazombie (USA) 5 g
California Flag (USA) 7 g
Euroears (USA) 7 h
Excessive Passion (USA) 4 c
Kinsale King (USA) 6 g
Right One (FR) 5 g
Smiling Tiger (USA) 4 c
Square Eddie (CAN) 5 h
Streakin' Mohican (USA) 4 g
The Factor (USA) 3 c
Unzip Me (USA) 5 m

Have been terrible about keeping this up to date (it's from years of being all alone on the HK thread :D :confused: :wf) so just want to post a couple of links...


Oh and besides Snow Fairy? Excelebration is out as well.

HKJC...

(Best website evah!)...

http://www.hkjc.com/home/english/index.asp

... and their mini-site for the day...

(THis has EEEVVVEERRYYYTHING you could possibly need / want / imagine)...

http://www.cxhkir.com/english/hkir2011/main.asp

Awesome links, thanks!

Here's an update about the horse flying the NZ flag on the big day in Hong Kong: http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing...ng-Kong-riches

The people who don't yet know his name will soon enough, ed!

Victoire Pisa out...

Problems for the Japanese runners (Curren Chan, Pas De Trois and Trailblazer) as they're boarded and then stuck on the ground with engine trouble... 4 hours turns into 12.

Meanwhile Rocket Man jumped shadows again on his final blowout.

He will arrive tomorrow.

Green Birdie works with blinkers on...

Not exactly the desired result.

"I put the blinkers on to sharpen him, but he resented them. He's a funny old horse, He didn't enjoy it and had his ears back. We want to do a bit more with him. He didn't like the cups on so he'll gallop again next week without them."

- Caspar Fownes

Sha Tin trackwork Monday
05 Dec 2011 | Hong Kong Jockey Club

(As it's a press release it's okay to post in its entirity).

CXHKIR 2011 trackwork notes, 5 December 2011 – Contenders from Japan, Singapore, UK, France and UAE

Patrick Shaw, trainer, Rocket Man (Sprint)

Singapore's champion sprinter and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen and G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint winner Rocket Man was on his toes at Sha Tin on Monday morning, while trainer Patrick Shaw watched from the stands as his charge put in a slow canter on the all weather track.

Shaw admits there is a little bit of unfinished business at Sha Tin after Rocket Man’s narrowest of defeats to J J The Jet Plane in last year’s CXHK Sprint.

“He's travelled well, settled in well, and he’s eating well. He’s been in good form of late. I would say that the trip to Japan took a bit out of him. The travel and the quarantine can be difficult, and he wasn’t at his best racing weight that day.

“He'll do some stronger work later in the week. It looks a similar race to last year, some of the same horses and of course the Japanese sprinters again, but I hope he can set the record straight.

“He'll have a different jockey this year, but Barend (Vorster) knows him well, has ridden him before in races and regularly at work, so that’s not a concern.”



Ryuji Iwamoto, assistant trainer, Curren Chan (Sprint)

Ryuji Iwamoto commented, “The trip from Japan was not smooth. It was a long journey. Curren Chan is a filly, but she has relaxed since she arrived and seems to be used to her new surroundings. She has a very good appetite.”

Also, the racing manager (interpreter), Keita Tanaka said, “Due to the quarantine conditions, she could not get out of the horse stall during the engine trouble (at the airport). I have been involved in this job for six years, and this was the worst trouble for a horse trip, but I am happy that she has relaxed here now and had a leisurely canter on the all-weather today. The Hong Kong Sprint is the toughest race in the world, but she won multiple graded stakes in the past and is a very capable filly.”

Hideo Shiimoto, assistant trainer, Apapane (Mile)

“We were looking forward to the opportunity to come here to Hong Kong. We have been targeting this race after her last race (G1-Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup). We had engine trouble when she flew in, and she was stuck in the horse stall for 15 hours at the airport. So the journey was not good, but since she arrived at Sha Tin she has maintained her good form, did not lose any weight from the long journey and today she cantered easily. I think that a mile is the best distance for her. This is a big challenge for her to compete against horses and geldings in the G1 race, but we are confident.”

Thomas Burns, travelling head lad, Campanologist (Vase)

“He's really a perfect traveller, you couldn't get a better one. He's been pleasing every day and has thrived since he arrived. Yesterday he put on 4 kilos. Today he's done a five-furlong steady canter and an eight-furlong normal canter.”

Robin Trevor-Jones, travelling head lad, Red Cadeaux (Vase)

“Everything has gone fine since Melbourne and he's at his racing weight. He has just been tootling along, but we'll probably give him a blow on Wednesday or Thursday. That will be decided when the boss (Ed Dunlop) arrives.”

Jean-Michel Roux, travelling head lad, Vadamar (Vase)
“He has really travelled well and looked surprisingly good this morning for his first stroll on the Sha Tin all weather. He hasn’t run since his win in the Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2) but he has worked quite a bit for this trip and it has benefited him because he tends to eat too much. He should be working on the turf on Thursday when the boss is here.”

Regis Barbedette, travelling head lad, Rajsaman (Mile) and Silver Pond (Vase)
“Their last race was quite some time ago as they ran at the Arc meeting, on the first weekend in October. But they’ve been to Saint Cloud racecourse for a public gallop since then and they have thrived on that. The travelling went fine as we were all on time. Rajsaman is probably even better than last year when he came over and did very well in the Mile (4th to Beauty Flash). As for Silver Pond, he only joined our yard on the eve of his 8th place in the Arc. He looks good but it is his first long trip and we will learn a lot from that. Both should work on the turf on Thursday.”

Aymeric Candas, travelling head lad, Dunaden (Vase)
“He settled well here and has the advantage of being in Hong Kong for a good week as he came straight from Australia. He did not do much this morning because he will work over the turf tomorrow. Everything’s going according to plan so far.”

Jean-Jacques Poincelet, assistant trainer, Cirrus des Aigles (Cup)
“It is his third trip here and it seems to me that he is still changing. He’s a bit burlier than last year I think. He’s done his usual thing and should work on Thursday.”

Joel Segouin, travelling lad, Sahpresa (Mile)
“She’s only cantered on the all weather over 5 furlongs, nothing special really. I led her aboard her new companion horse, who helps her relax during her travels. We felt the difference in Japan. She settles well now. I like the way she galloped today with Vincent Vion up. We have an edge as we have been here for a longer time and she has had plenty of time to make the place her home.”

:)

Beautiful!

Super Pistachio and King Dancer scratched from CXHKIR :(

06/12/2011

Super Pistachio and King Dancer will miss their intended engagements at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Super Pistachio, runner-up in the 2010 HKG1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby, is out of the G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase. Tony Cruz’s charge has a blood abnormality and is running a temperature.

The Sean Woods-trained King Dancer has been scratched from the G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup after suffering an injury to his left fore tendon.

* * *

CXHKIR 2011 trackwork notes, 6 December 2011 – Contenders from Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and New Zealand

06/12/2011

Hong Kong trainer Caspar Fownes is eagerly looking forward to Sunday’s International feature races in anticipation of his five runners improving his CXHKIR record of one winner - the 2006 Mile with The Duke - and four placegetters. Here’s his rundown on his horses.

Caspar Fownes, trainer, Fair Trade (Mile):
“His last run in the lead-up was really nice and he’s very fit. Probably the best we’ve had him. He just needs to draw a gate to tuck in behind and see daylight late. For raw ability, he’s so talented but he’s been a bit of a nightmare for us. Made me go grey, I can tell you that. He’s been close to retirement twice. He’s had issues with a tendon sheath but I’m happy with that at the moment. If he wins, trust me, I’ll lose it.”

Fownes on Thumbs Up (Vase):
“Thumbs Up has come back really well in this preparation. I’m happy to stretch him out to the 2400 (metres) in the Vase. Perhaps it’s a shame he hasn’t had one more race leading into it but there are limited options and, to be honest, he’s probably best when on the fresh side. He can run some really good sectionals. He doesn’t have to settle a mile back so I’d be hoping he draws well and can box seat. If we’d gone to the Cup we’d have to take on a couple of the very best locals, so I decided we might be better off taking on the Europeans even if this is usually their race.”

Fownes on Super Satin (Vase)
“His last two runs have been very good. He carried 133 (pounds) two starts back and was close up and then he ran very well in the Jockey Club Cup after finding some trouble. He lost all form for a while but he’s had a problem with his rear hind stifle. You’ve got to have him balanced and comfortable and Ollie (Olivier Doleuze) knows how to ride him. I’m happy with him at the moment and I really think he’ll stay.”

Fownes on Lucky Nine and Green Birdie (Sprint)
“I was very happy with the way Lucky Nine trialled last Friday. I thought he ran very well last year given he drew 12 of 14. Just need him to draw a gate this time around. He can go further, of course, but at the moment I’m happy to concentrate on sprinting with him. He was a bit flat when he came back from Japan and his coat wasn’t quite right but he’s just starting to really come into himself in the last week or so. He’s good. As to Green Birdie, well he hasn’t been quite right either after returning from Japan. We’ve experienced that before and they can come good. You know on the best of his form that he’s good enough but I admit that’s often been away from home rather than here. He’ll gallop tomorrow morning (Wednesday) and we’ll have a better idea after that.”

John Moore, trainer, Admiration (Sprint), Irian (Cup) and Jacobee (Cup)
“Admiration is the new sprinting star in the stable and he still has a little way to go to reach his full potential. We will apply blinkers and we feel he will be able to hold his position and be able to sustain what Darren (Beadman) describes as more of a sustained burst over the last 400m.

“Jacobee is one of the most genuine horses racing in Hong Kong with only that one black mark against his name last time out. But given a quieter ride, he will be one of the dark horses in the Cup, should things not go to plan for the hotpots.

“Irian is coming into Sunday off a perfect preparation. He was slightly under done last time and bottomed out about 50m out the other day. He is now at his peak and I expect him to be right there in the finish. He has his work cut out but he comes into forma at this time of year and I think the field’s not quite as strong as last year and he has home town advantage.”

Sue Hall, assistant trainer, Jimmy Choux (Mile)
“He’s in isolation here which is not ideal. You’d rather he had some company but he’s starting to pick up after the travel and seems bright enough. His appetite has improved in the past few days and he’s put some weight back on.”

Patrick Shaw, trainer, Rocket Man (Sprint)
Singapore’s champion sprinter and world’s second-top rated sprinter Rocket Man led the International horses onto the track on Tuesday morning. With Barend Vorster on board Rocket Man put in a steady canter on the All Weather track under a tight hold, and looked keen to do more. His trainer Patrick Shaw was again watching from the stand: “He’d have done more if we’d let him, but he’ll do a piece of work on the grass tomorrow over about 800 metres,” Shaw volunteered.

Naoki Baba, stable lad, Trailblazer (Vase)
Hong Kong Vase contender Trailblazer, who finished fourth to Buena Vista in the Japan Cup in November, showed up on the All Weather track for the first time since he flew in from Japan two days ago. The strapper Naoki Baba from Daisen Hills, the owner Koji Maeda’s private training centre, was watching as Trailblazer cantered easily on the surface and commented, “We did not have any problem in the journey to Hong Kong. He eats up very well and is settled well at the stable. Everything up to now has gone smoothly.”

Miyoko Kaneko, stable lad, Pas de Trois (Sprint); and Ryuji Iwamoto, Travelling Head Lad, Curren Chan (Sprint)
The two Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint runners from Japan, Pas de Trois and Curren Chan, cantered on the All Weather track. The Strapper of Pas de Trois, Miyoko Kaneko commented, “The journey was terrible. It took too long until the departure. I heard that it was the worst travelling situation of any of the Japanese horses. It took about the same time as travelling to Dubai. He usually eats up very well at home, but in Hong Kong he does not have a good appetite in the mornings. In the evening, he eats up everything. He is getting used to the new stable here and has been relaxed in his barn.”

Ryuji Iwamoto, the traveling head lad for Curren Chan said, “Her condition is improving since she flew in.”

Hideo Shiimoto, Assistant Trainer, Apapane (Mile)
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile runner Apapane worked easily on the All Weather track. The assistant trainer Hideo Shiimoto commented, “Apapane is a filly who gets the feel of the new surroundings easily. There is no hitch about her condition up to now. We’ve scheduled to gallop her tomorrow. We will settle her behind Pas de Trois and Curren Chan, and drive her strongly in the last furlongs. We will decide the remaining training schedule depending on how she pulls up from the workout tomorrow.”

* * *

CXHKIR 2011 trackwork notes, 6 December 2011 – Contenders from France

Dunaden, the 2011 Melbourne Cup winner was fresh enough entering the Sha Tin All Weather track before his 7-furlong work out on the turf course with Craig Williams back up, closing the exercise with a two-furlong dash in 22.5 seconds. Coming back from this pleasant gallop, the Australian jockey was all smiles and he took the opportunity to practice his newly acquired French: “I will just use one word: Superbe!”

Aymeric Candas, Travelling Lad, Dunaden (Vase)
“He did what we were expecting from him and he enjoyed the lovely Sha Tin. From now on, he should not do too much and will stay over the All Weather track. We are all set.”

Jean-Jacques Poincelet, Assistant trainer, Cirrus des Aigles (Cup)
“He was a bit fresh so I asked his rider Zoe Gargoulaud to let him go a bit in the straight. He enjoyed that.”

Cirrus des Aigles covered the last two furlongs of his fast canter in 25.5 seconds.

Regis Barbedette, Travelling Head Lad, Rajsaman (Mile) and Silver Pond (Vase)
“They both cantered well but Silver Pond was rather impressive this morning. He moved very swiftly on the All Weather and it was a pleasing sight.”

Joel Segouin, Travelling Head Lad, Sahpresa (Mile)
“She worked over something like 5 furlongs on the All Weather and did really well (she covered the last two furlongs in 22.6 sec). She’s in good form and hopefully will be at her best on Sunday. I was riding her companion and I was very pleased to see her bouncing on the track.”

Maxime Guyon, Jockey, Byword (Cup)
“He is not the kind of horse to impress on the gallops but I am pleased with how he felt this morning. He’s a very relaxed horse and he should improve each day. He has settled in well and he has a big chance on Sunday. The ground here is perfect for him.”

Aw. Poor, lonely Jimmy. :(

But I read somewhere that they've put up a mirror on the wall so he thinks he has a friend.

That is one of the sweetest and most sad things I've heard...

Poor Jimmy.

Believe me, getting a mirror is not all it's cracked up to be.

You've seen JImmys replays, right?

* * *

Two very sweet feature stories from the HKJC...

One on the "lowly born" Cirrus who now soars with the eagles...

http://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/i...age=1&keyword=

... and the other on a companion horse...

Sahmai who travels with Sahprasa and who is almost upstaging her (!)...

http://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/i....aspx?id=56938

They're both very short and sweet so if you're so inclined please take a few minutes and check these out. :)

Okay kids here we go...

Tough break for Rocket Man... horrible draw.

The only lock is Captain Sweet in the race before the big races...:cool:


Race 4 - THE CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG VASE
Sunday, December 11, 2011, Sha Tin, 14:00
Turf ,"A" Course ,2400m

Prize Money: $14,000,000.00, Rating: -, (GROUP 1)

Horse No. Last 6 Runs Colour Horse Wt. Jockey Draw Trainer Rtg. Rtg.+/- Horse Wt. (Declaration) Gear

1 TRAILBLAZER 126 K Ando 8 Y Ikee - -
2 5 JAKKALBERRY 126 F Branca 13 M Botti - - TT
3 SILVER POND 126 T Jarnet 2 F Head - - TT
4 CAMPANOLOGIST 126 L Dettori 6 S bin Suroor - - SR
5 DUNADEN 126 C Williams 3 M Delzangles - - SR
6 9/17/4/3/1/3 MIGHTY HIGH 126 D Beadman 11 J Moore - - H
7 7/9/2/9/10/5 MR MEDICI 126 G Mosse 5 L Ho - -
8 2 REDWOOD 126 M Hills 12 C Hills - -
9 1/3/11/10/2/6 THUMBS UP 126 B Prebble 1 C Fownes - -
10 RED CADEAUX 126 R Moore 7 E A L Dunlop - -
11 5/5/8/6/12/9 SUPER SATIN 126 O Doleuze 9 C Fownes - -
12 SARAH LYNX 122 C Soumillon 4 J E Hammond - - B
13 VADAMAR 121 C Lemaire 10 de Royer-Dupre - - SR

Race 5 - THE CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG SPRINT
Sunday, December 11, 2011, Sha Tin, 14:40
Turf ,"A" Course ,1200m

Prize Money: $14,000,000.00, Rating: -, (GROUP 1)


Horse No. Last 6 Runs Colour Horse Wt. Jockey Draw Trainer Rtg. Rtg.+/- Horse Wt. (Declaration) Gear

1 2/1 ROCKET MAN 126 B Vorster 13 P B Shaw - - SR
2 2/6/2/2/2/1 SACRED KINGDOM 126 Z Purton 14 P F Yiu - - TT
3 BATED BREATH 126 S Drowne 12 R Charlton - -
4 5/2/2/3/2/1 LUCKY NINE 126 B Prebble 6 C Fownes - -
5 SOCIETY ROCK 126 J Murtagh 2 J R Fanshawe - - XB
6 1/2/9/2/14/5 LITTLE BRIDGE 126 G Mosse 3 C S Shum - - TT
7 2/3/1/1/1/1 ENTRAPMENT 126 D Whyte 5 J Size - -
8 SOLE POWER 126 K Latham 8 E Lynam - -
9 8/14/7/4/5/7 GREEN BIRDIE 126 T Angland 4 C Fownes - -
10 3/1/5/3/3/6 ADMIRATION 126 D Beadman 10 J Moore - - B1
11 PAS DE TROIS 126 K Ando 1 I Sameshima - -
12 4/1/8/4/2/3 RICH UNICORN 126 M Du Plessis 9 J Size - -
13 5/4/1/6/6/4 JOY AND FUN 126 B Doyle 7 D Cruz - - SW
14 CURREN CHAN 122 K Ikezoe 11 T Yasuda - - H


STAND-BY STARTER
No. Horse Horse Wt.(Declaration) Wt. Rtg. Age Last 6 Runs Trainer Gear
1 DIM SUM 126 - 7 6/14/6/1/6/7 J Moore V

Race 7 - THE CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG MILE
Sunday, December 11, 2011, Sha Tin, 15:50
Turf ,"A" Course ,1600m

Prize Money: $20,000,000.00, Rating: -, (GROUP 1)

Horse No. Last 6 Runs Colour Horse Wt. Jockey Draw Trainer Rtg. Rtg.+/- Horse Wt. (Declaration) Gear

1 CITYSCAPE 126 S Drowne 12 R Charlton - -
2 JIMMY CHOUX 126 J Riddell 2 J Bary - -
3 4 RAJSAMAN 126 T Jarnet 4 F Head - - B
4 6/6/3/9/4/8 BEAUTY FLASH 126 G Mosse 10 A S Cruz - - TT
5 5/2/5/1/2/4 XTENSION 126 D Beadman 5 J Moore - - H/XB
6 8/4/5/7/13/8 ABLE ONE 126 J Lloyd 7 J Moore - - H
7 3/12/14/1/1/1 FLYING BLUE 126 O Doleuze 6 J Size - -
8 1/6/2/1/2/12 DESTINED FOR GLORY 126 T Clark 1 J Moore - - H/XB/TT
9 4/9/2/11/4/6 FAIR TRADE 126 B Prebble 3 C Fownes - -
10 5/6/1/1/7/1 SICHUAN SUCCESS 126 D Whyte 13 J Size - - TT
11 7/2/2/1/2/9 FAT CHOY OOHLALA 126 M Guyon 11 C H Yip - - B
12 DUBAWI GOLD 125 R Hughes 14 R Hannon - -
13 3 SAHPRESA 122 C Lemaire 8 Rod Collet - - TT
14 APAPANE 122 M Ebina 9 S Kunieda - - SR


STAND-BY STARTER
No. Horse Horse Wt.(Declaration) Wt. Rtg. Age Last 6 Runs Trainer Gear
1 OUTDOOR PEGASUS 126 - 4 8/7/1/9/4/2 P F Yiu TT

Race 8 - THE CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG CUP
Sunday, December 11, 2011, Sha Tin, 16:30
Turf ,"A" Course ,2000m

Prize Money: $20,000,000.00, Rating: -, (GROUP 1)

Horse No. Last 6 Runs Colour Horse Wt. Jockey Draw Trainer Rtg. Rtg.+/- Horse Wt. (Declaration) Gear

1 7/5 CIRRUS DES AIGLES 126 C Soumillon 2 Barande-Barbe - -
2 2/1/1/1/1/1 AMBITIOUS DRAGON 126 D Whyte 5 A T Millard - - B
3 BYWORD 126 M Guyon 6 A Fabre - -
4 DURBAN THUNDER 126 A Starke 7 T Mundry - - XB
5 3/7/3/4/6/6 IRIAN 126 D Beadman 10 J Moore - - H
6 4/1/8/2/1/3 CALIFORNIA MEMORY 126 M Chadwick 1 A S Cruz - -
7 ZAZOU 126 O Peslier 8 W Hickst - -
8 RANSOM NOTE 126 M Hills 4 C Hills - -
9 2/5/9/1/5/2 PURE CHAMPION 126 G Mosse 3 A S Cruz - - TT
10 12/1/4/5/2/4 JACOBEE 126 T Clark 9 J Moore - - H/TT

* * *

B : Blinkers BO : Blinker with one cowl only E : Ear Plugs H : Hood
P : Pacifier PC : Pacifier with cowls PS : Pacifier with 1 cowl SR : Shadow Roll
SW : Side Winkers TT : Tongue Tie V : Visor SB: Sheepskin Browband
SO: Side Winker 1 side "1" : First time "2" : Replaced "-" : Removed
CC: Cornell Collar XB: Crossed Nose Band

Sorry for this smudge on your fine thread, but watch some new member be named Cathay Vacay over the next few days.

Not Cathay Pacific?

:zz:

















thud

Great fields, all of them. Can't wait.

Here's that story about Jimmy and the mirror: http://www.bloodstock.com.au/news/story.php?id=22055

I loved reading that. Thank you!

GOOD LUCK JIMMY!

Sha Tin trackwork Friday
09 Dec 2011 | Hong Kong Jockey Club CXHKIR 2011 – trackwork notes – 9 December, 2011 – UK, Germany, UAE, and Ireland contenders


Keegan Latham, jockey, Sole Power (Sprint)
“The faster they go the better for him. He needs to be burnt off his feet, which might sound strange as he is best known as a 1000m horse, but the main thing is that he needs to get settled, which is why we are looking for a lot of speed. He’ll need a lifetime best to win and personally I think Rocket Man is going to be very hard to beat, but it would be nice to think that we haven’t come all this way for nothing.”

Olivier Peslier, jockey, Zazou (Cup)
“I didn’t want to push him too hard today, just to get him relaxed. He was looking around at the end and seems on good terms with himself.”

Torsten Mundry, trainer, Durban Thunder (Cup)
After watching Andrasch Starke work his CXHK Cup contender Durban Thunder on the turf, in company with fellow German horse Zazou (by Olivier Peslier), Mundry said: “He’s a big long striding horse, and he maybe wasn’t so impressive in his work, but with a good gallop he’ll be a different story on Sunday.”

Saeed bin Suroor, trainer, Campanologist (Vase)
“As you know he has been in very good form recently but since he has arrived here he looks even better and stronger and his coat looks fantastic. I think it is a very open race and we just need the luck now.”

Charles Hills, trainer, Redwood (Vase)
“He’s very well and that was a nice piece of work on the grass today. He travels well and he’ll love the ground.”

Jockey Michael Hills confirmed after the work “He’s in great nick.”

James Fanshawe, trainer, Society Rock (Sprint)
Fanshawe breezed Society Rock (Sprint) on the turf, going an easy 25.8 sec over the last 400 metres with John Murtagh on board. “He’s nice and relaxed here and that was just what I wanted. He’s done well out here, put on a little weight and I’m happy with how he is,” Fanshawe said.

Steve Drowne, jockey, Cityscape (Mile) and Bated Breath (Sprint)
On Cityscape (Mile): “I gave Cityscape a leg stretch this morning and everything was fine. And Bated Breath looked good in front of me as well. Although I would have liked a better draw I think Cityscape has enough ability to win. It is just a question of how much petrol he has left in the tank after a long season.”

On Bated Breath (Sprint): “I don’t think Bated Breath will ever have gone as quick as he will on Sunday. And I think that will suit him as the pace of some of his races in Britain has just been slower than ideal. The problem is that the local sprinters are so strong, and everyone knows that European sprinters don’t have a great record here.”


France and Japan contenders

Corine Barande-Barbe, trainer, Cirrus des Aigles (Cup)
“Fred Spanu took him to the turf course today. He’s in charge of the fine tuning when it comes to big races. It was a good piece of work - he was flying this morning. Cirrus des Aigles is enjoying himself and that is what counts. He is as playful as ever. I have always said that he was easy to train because he is willing to do well. Our task is to restrain him rather than anything. Our main concern was to get him back to the stables in full order because the turf course was quite busy today and he is so playful that he could do foolish things when other horses pass by!”

Rodolphe Collet, trainer, Sahpresa (Mile)
“Once again she looked great this morning on the All Weather. She is better looking than last year here and I really look forward to Sunday’s race.”

Mikel Delzangles, trainer, Dunaden (Vase)
“He did not have to do much this morning on the All Weather but seems in good order and has reached his best weight.”

John Hammond, trainer, Sarah Lynx (Vase)
“Nothing much to say really. She’s in good shape, but we need some more luck than we have had with some races here in Hong Kong before. I think the French will win it but I’m not sure with which one, though I definitely respect Silver Pond.”

Yoshinori Fukuda, regular exercise rider, Apapane (Mile)
Apapane cantered on the All Weather and schooled in the paddock area with the Japanese sprint runner Pas De Trois. Fukuda said after the trackwork, “She was very fresh, maybe too fresh, which made it hard to pull her up.”

Sakae Kunieda, trainer, Apapane
“She worked very well this morning. She is really fit and seems ready for Sunday.”

Ippo Sameshima, trainer, Pas de Trois (Sprint)
Having supervised Pas de Trois’ canter on the All Weather, Sameshima said: “Even after he had a tough breeze on Wednesday with Apapane and Curren Chan, which was clocked at 22.1 seconds for the last 400m, she is still in a good condition, maybe better than he is back home. The track on the rail is in very good condition, which is good for us with our inside draw.”

Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer, Trailblazer (Vase):
“He was just walking in the paddock in the stable area. The Hong Kong Vase has been on our schedule and is the final target this season. He is in good form both mentally and physically after three starts in two months in this autumn campaign. He does not have any problem with his gait this morning after the breeze yesterday. He has a good appetite, which is a good sign. Because of the Olympic Games, the facilities at the stable are better than last time when we (Yasutoshi Ikee and his father Yasuo Ikee) came with Stay Gold (in 2001). The horse will canter on the All Weather track tomorrow morning.”

Hong Kong and New Zealand contenders

John Size, trainer, Entrapment (Sprint) and Rich Unicorn (Sprint), Flying Blue (Mile) and Sichuan Success (Mile):

“Entrapment speaks for himself - he won his first seven starts in a very short space of time on both dirt and turf, so he is very versatile in that regard. He suffered a lameness that put him away for 15 months but he came back and won first up and then got to a high mark and leveled off. But he wasn’t discredited in his last two starts and hopefully he’s got another kick in him.

“Rich Unicorn is in fantastic health and in very good order. That’s why he’s come strong in his last couple of races.

“Flying Blue has a tremendously consistent record in his preparation for this. He came back in on a mark of 122 (local rating) and took a couple of races to get used to it but last time he showed improved form - I expect him to make further improvement.

“Sichuan Success is in good order. He missed the last mile race but I’m not concerned about that. He’s a good horse, I’ve been able to freshen him up and he trialled very nicely last Friday.”

Gerald Mosse, jockey, Little Bridge (Sprint)
“He’s very well. We gave him an open up on Thursday and the horse could not be better. I haven’t had a lot of experience with him but I think he’s improved a lot and our relationship is coming good at the right time. He’s got the good draw and anything is possible. He will run very well but it is a strong field.”

Tony Millard, trainer, Ambitious Dragon (Cup)
“The horse is well. Beverley (Millard’s wife) worked him yesterday and said he was giving her a great feel. He’s ready now. Nothing more to do with him except wait for Sunday.”

Darren Beadman, jockey, Xtension (Mile), Admiration (Sprint), Irian (Cup), Mighty High (Vase)

On Xtension (Mile): “In the space of six months since the Derby he’s gone from being a teenager to a young man. He’s thickened up well and matured. He likes the mile and has had a really good prep. He doesn’t have the tactical speed to be right there early but he’ll be comfortable midfield and can finish off.”

On Admiration (Sprint): “He’s had to step up to this, the next level and he’s handling it. The blinkers go on and that can be a real plus. They’ll help him carry himself better in the run and hopefully provide a little more kick at the end. He’s a very genuine horse.”

On Irian (Cup): “He loomed up to win last time but just knocked up. He needed that run. He’ll be better for it. The trip to Singapore served him well. He’s settled down a bit, not as wired as he used to be and is saving his energy for raceday.”

Mighty High (Vase): “He’s done well since he came back from Melbourne. He’s been working great and he’s fit enough now. He’s probably a lot fitter, after that trip, than if he’d stayed here. He loves going right handed. He’s three to four lengths better going right handed as he naturally lays in. He can go forward and there doesn’t look to be much pace.”

John Bary, trainer, Jimmy Choux (Mile)
“Don’t worry about us, all good,” Bary said when asked whether his concerns about the horse being stabled alone were lingering, “I think he’s started to settle in a whole lot better. His coat’s great and he’s feeling good.”

Jonathan Riddell, jockey, Jimmy Choux
“He’s in good shape and so genuine and we’ve got the right draw. This is a great experience to ride here and one I wasn’t going to miss. I wasn’t taking any chances at home lately – been riding with indicators on.”

Brett Prebble, jockey, Thumbs Up (Vase):
“He’s in great form. His win in the Jockey Club Cup was super. What I really liked was the way he finished off. I think he’ll run the 2400 metres and his work has been excellent.’

Supplementary Circular – Horse Withdrawal for 11/12/2011 meeting

09/12/2011

Race 7 Horse 9 FAIR TRADE (K345) has been scratched. (Reason: Lame right fore)

Standby Starter OUTDOOR PEGASUS ( L173) promoted, rider is J Murtagh.

The Vase was a great race!

Getting a bit nervous about Jimmy now.

Not Jimmy's day. :(

Couldn't have bet Able One with fake money. Needed Extension for my P4. Great time to get boxed in.

Sorry about Jimmy and that Rocket Man didn't do well but wow Able One? Really?

I love this old guy. Wouldn't have had him though.

NIce line by Lloyd after the race about a nine year old winning with a 50 year old on his back...

Replays, other results here and on the mini-site of course...

http://www.hkjc.com/english/racing/Results.asp