HK - CONFIDENCE HIGH AS THE ABDULLAH QUARTET TARGETS SHA TIN'S BIG DAY

By Hong Kong Jockey Club | Sunday, December 4, 2011

One of the great racing empires is making a major play for Sha Tin glory on December 11 with their four challengers all raring to go for one of the world's great racing occasions.

A glance at turf history over the past 25 years will reveal the huge worldwide impact of owner Khalid Abdullah and his Juddmonte Farms breeding operation.

At the British Racehorse Owners’ Association Awards on 1 December Prince Khalid received yet another prize, this time as Owner of the Year.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific International Races spectacular has not been his greatest stage so far but that could be about to change if his racing manager's predictions prove correct.

Teddy Grimthorpe runs racing operations for the Saudi Prince and businessman, and, speaking from a major bloodstock sale in the UK, he can barely contain his enthusiasm as he discusses the Sha Tin possibilities of Abdullah's four-strong challenge. In fact when asked if one of them might win, he fires back: “Why not all four?”

Before summarising their chances, Grimthorpe pays tribute to Hong Kong and this “vital” race meeting. “It is beautifully placed in the calendar, fantastically organised and the great opportunity for the northern and southern hemispheres to clash.”

Cityscape is the Abdullah representative in the Mile, and international ratings give him a major chance: “Cityscape had an annoying brush with the camera two starts back when short-headed in a Group 1 in Italy, but he won in a common canter in France last time,” says Grimthorpe who adds that although a timely cloudburst over Sha Tin would help this Roger Charlton-trained, Steven Drowne-ridden five-year-old, it is not essential.

“We have discovered that what he really needs is a flat track, and Sha Tin ideally fits that criterion.”

In the Cup Abdullah's famous green, pink and white silks will be worn by Maxime Guyon aboard Byword trained by Andre Fabre, France's most successful-ever trainer.

Guyon has already established a hot reputation in Hong Kong, and Byword bounced back to his super best when short-necking Cirrus des Aigles at Longchamp in October.

Cirrus des Aigles then boosted that form massively with a stunning Group 1 victory at Ascot.

Grimthorpe suggests that we forget Byword's subsequent defeat when squeezed between two rivals at a crucial stage of the Breeders' Cup Mile. “Byword has got a very big chance at Sha Tin,” the racing manager insists.

Redwood will be trying to better his excellent second in last year's Vase, prior to running another screamer when runner-up in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March this year.

Grimthorpe describes Redwood's activities since then as being “disjointed” but says that his run in the Canadian International last time - when beaten 12 lengths in seventh place - was nowhere near as bad it sounds, especially given the yielding surface for a horse who loves quicker ground. Further bullishness is gained by the information that: “Redwood's trainer (Charlie Hills) has been really delighted with his wellbeing since then.”

Finally we come to Bated Breath in the Sprint.

It would be easy to laugh off his chance considering that from the inaugural Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint onwards European-trained contenders have traditionally spent that speed battle regarding the rear views of quicker horses from other parts of the world, mostly from Hong Kong itself.

But study the record of this 1200m specialist in his starts this year and it is quite easy to respect Bated Breath's chance.

His 2011 profile includes three close shaves in the very highest company - at Newmarket, Haydock, and recently when narrowly eclipsed by the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner on unfavourably soft ground at Woodbine.

“Bated Breath is a model of consistency, and should love the conditions at Sha Tin,” is Grimthorpe's final word.

Let's just say that confidence sounds pretty high.

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