HK DEC 8 – WHYTE CAPS A GREAT DAY FOR HONG KONG WITH A CUP WIN ABOARD AKEED MOFEED

By Hong Kong Jockey Club | Sunday, December 8, 2013

Perennial champion jockey Douglas Whyte completed this year’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races with a personal best; capped a great day for Hong Kong and redeemed himself with trainer Richard Gibson and owner Pan Sutong when his riding skills ensured a G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup victory for Akeed Mofeed.

Whyte had, of course, earlier won the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile aboard Glorious Days denying Gibson and Pan Sutong who had the runner-up Gold-Fun.

The double was a spectacular improvement, in the space of 40 minutes, to his International day CV which comprised only a Vase victory aboard Indigenous way back in 1998.

“It's been a while between drinks but good things come to those who are patient. I needed a day like today again,” said the 13-time Hong Kong champion jockey whose Cup win was the third Hong Kong victory of the afternoon.

Supporters of Akeed Mofeed may well have been holding their breath half way down the straight when the winner was searching for room but Whyte was equal to the task.

“It's a great privilege to work with top, professional jockeys like Douglas,” said winning trainer Gibson, “I did tell him before the race that I would only forgive him for the Mile if he won the Cup.”

Whyte conceded that it was “tight” as he considered his home straight options on Akeed Mofeed.

“I didn't really want to leave the fence but shortly after the Japanese horse (Tokei Halo) rolled off the inside, he rolled back again. And Christophe (Soumillon) had me very snug on the outside but his horse (Cirrus Des Aigles) gave way and I was able to ease back a half length and come to the outside,” Whyte said.

Gibson said that there were “international plans ahead” for his Derby and Cup winning hero and, longer term, a stud career.

“He's a very well bred colt. He needed International Group 1 recognition and he's achieved that today.

“He's a very talented horse with a stud future ahead of him and racing abroad beckons but we'll consider our options before finalising any plans,” he said.

Gibson described the son of Dubawi as a “big race” performer. “All credit to him,” he said.

The runner-up Tokei Halo was well rated in front by Yutaka Take and very nearly pinched the prize to add to the Lord Kanaloa spoils for Japan.

“He jumped well from the gate and travelled very comfortably with his pace to the turn. It was really close. I was very happy with his performance but my 101st Group 1 win will have to wait until next time,” Take said after his mount was a one length second.

Cirrus Des Aigles held on bravely to finish third, a neck further back - just ahead of Military Attack, Side Glance and Blazing Speed who each performed satisfactorily.

POST RACE COMMENTS:

1st – Akeed Mofeed – Douglas Whyte, jockey.
“It’s been a while between drinks but good things come to those who are patient. I needed a day like this again. It’s great. It was a bit tight. The Japanese horse rolled off the fence and then rolled back again and Christophe (Soumillon) had me very snug. But then Cirrus Des Aigles gave way and I could ease and come around the leader’s heels. The horse did the rest.”

2nd - Tokei Halo – Yutaka Take, jockey.
“Very close race. He jumped well from the gate and travelled comfortably with his pace even until the turning for home. I thought we could win but Sha Tin had long stretch. Maybe he could win at Happy Valley.”

3rd - Cirrus Des Aigles – Christophe Soumillon, jockey.
“He doesn’t act here quite like he does on the softer ground in France. I had a good trip considering our outside draw. He just didn’t quicken enough.”

Corine Barande-Barbe, trainer.
“We regret the bad draw he got because he was wide without cover in the early stages and that must have cost him something at the end. But we’re very proud of him and hopefully we will be back next year to try again.”

4th - Military Attack – Zac Purton, jockey.
“He’s not at his best form at the moment and he couldn’t quite catch up at the end.”

5th - Side Glance – Jamie Spencer, jockey.
“It was a good run and the race was run at a proper pace. He wasn’t quite good enough today.”

6th - Blazing Speed – Gerald Mosse, jockey
“He gave me a lovely run. I was supposed to be hand.r but he got back at the gate. He ran on well in the straight.”

7th - Grandeur – Ryan Moore, jockey.
“He started slowly and lacked the pace to get into this.”

8th - Neatico – Andrasch Starke, jockey.
“He ran a good race. He was not beaten too far so everything is fine.”

9th - Little Mike – Mike Smith, jockey.
“He travelled really well for me I was in a great position and he was good and relaxed. I pulled him out on the turn but he just didn’t handle it. He ran really wide and it cost me so much ground. I should have stayed inside but I might not have got a run.”

10th - Same World – Tommy Berry, jockey.
“He ran okay but to be truthful he’s a class below this field.”

11th - Endowing – Tye Angland, jockey
“The race didn’t suit us. I was seeing daylight from 600m – it was an awful run race for us.”

12th - Rainbow Chic – Brett Prebble, jockey
“He travelled like he should have been in the first four but turning in he gave me 50 yards on straightening and then was gone.”

STEWARDS REPORT:
GRANDEUR began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped the hindquarters of LITTLE MIKE. BLAZING SPEED, which was leaning on the inside of its stall as the start was effected, was slow to begin.

From the outside barrier, RAINBOW CHIC was taken across behind runners shortly after the start.

Near the 1800 Metres, ENDOWING was crowded for room between CIRRUS DES AIGLES and GRANDEUR which shifted out away from the heels of AKEED MOFEED. MILITARY ATTACK and BLAZING SPEED, which were following, were hampered in consequence.

For some distance approaching and passing the 1700 Metres, SIDE GLANCE proved very difficult to settle and after the 1600 Metres was shifted out across the heels of GRANDEUR, resulting in ENDOWING being taken wider. ENDOWING was then steadied to obtain a trailing position behind SIDE GLANCE

Approaching the 800 Metres, LITTLE MIKE shifted out away from the heels of SAME WORLD and after this was left racing wide and without cover.

At the 500 Metres, MILITARY ATTACK raced tight between ENDOWING and BLAZING SPEED which shifted to the outside of NEATICO to improve its position.

Rounding the Home Turn, LITTLE MIKE got its head on the side and lay out.

In the early part of the Straight, BLAZING SPEED was shifted in away from the heels of SIDE GLANCE.

At the 400 Metres, ENDOWING was shifted out away from the heels of LITTLE MIKE which shifted out when commencing to give ground. RAINBOW CHIC, which was racing to the outside of ENDOWING, was hampered in consequence.

AKEED MOFEED was badly held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 300 Metres when unable to improve inside TOKEI HALO.

After this, AKEED MOFEED had difficulty obtaining clear running to the outside of TOKEI HALO and inside CIRRUS DES AIGLES until near the 200 Metres.

A veterinary inspection of ENDOWING immediately following the race did not show any significant findings. MILITARY ATTACK, AKEED MOFEED and TOKEI HALO were sent for sampling.

More articles