Good news from the South China Morning Post.....
Vengeance looks like his old self
MURRAY BELL
Vengeance Of Rain may have been back at formal trackwork a mere two mornings, but already trainer David Ferraris is confident the horse has completely recovered from the heart problems that ended his spring campaign.
Vengeance Of Rain has been off the scene since suffering what Ferraris calls "a minor electrical dysfunction" in his heart.
But after a period or rest and recuperation in New Zealand, Ferraris (pictured) believes the real Vengeance Of Rain is back.
"He's in great shape," Ferraris said, adding that top New Zealand vet Murray Brightwell had listened to Vengeance Of Rain's heart after exercise in New Zealand and described it as "perfect".
"The spell has done the horse the world of good," Ferraris said. "He now looks like a fresh horse and the ultrasounds we've done on his heart show no irregularity at all, no regurgitation in any of the valves. It's a perfectly normal, healthy heart."
Yesterday, regular rider Anthony Delpech volunteered to take Vengeance of Rain for his canter and was rewarded with an energy-sapping ride.
"He was very fresh and just wanted to go," Delpech said.
"He was nearly pulling my arms out of their sockets and almost dropped me when he was coming back, so he's feeling very well in himself."
Ferraris said that although Vengeance Of Rain had had only two canters since rejoining his stable, the Zabeel gelding was very forward in condition.
"He was trotted every morning while in quarantine in New Zealand and the same has applied in quarantine here," he said. "So he's had a bit of work and is quite fit already.
"I expect he will be ready to resume in the mile race in mid October, and then go on to the Cup Trial," the trainer added.
The Group Three Sha Tin Trophy will be run over 1,600 metres at Sha Tin on October 15 and will also be the anticipated launching pad for many top horses heading toward the International Races in December.
Vengeance Of Rain ran fifth in last year's Sha Tin Trophy under top weight of 133 pounds, finishing a short head in front of Bullish Luck. He then went on to win the International Cup Trial, as well as the Hong Kong Cup.
The Hong Kong Cup is once again the target for Vengeance of Rain. This year, the prize money has been boosted to HK$20 million, making it the richest race ever run here.
The champion stayer is ranked by senior handicapper Ciaran Kennelly as equal with Bullish Luck as the best horse in Hong Kong on a domestic rating of 130.
|