THE PETLEY REPORT: TWO FOR JAPAN AT THE LONGINES INTERNATIONAL MEETING AT SHA TIN

By Jack Petley | Monday, December 14, 2020

Japan (2), Ireland (1), Locals (1) at the Longines International meeting at Sha Tin yesterday.

Japan produced the winners Danon Smash and Normcore; Ireland, Mogul and locals, the brilliant Golden Sixty, who I thought was the star winner of the day.

Danon Smash, a son of Sprint winner in 2012, 2013 Lord Kanaloa (2012- 2013) came with a strong finish to take the big race in the hands of the most successful jockey on the day, Ryan Moore. "He is very tough, and very honest," said Moore of the sprinter who had earlier been second and third in editions of the Sprint and is a four-time Gr3 winner and two-time Gr2 victor. It was his 10th win of his career. Those two wins by Moore gave him seven in international races.

The Aussie star, Classique Legend ended up 11th in the Sprint after being kept against the fence near the rear and when going for runs in the home stretch had no luck at all It would pay to forget he ever went around. Favourite Hot King Prawn ran a poor 12th.

Golden Sixty gave his rivals a thrashing over the final stages of the Hong Kong Mile, sitting off the pace, coming wide off the home bend and then crushing his rivals to gain his 14th win from 15 starts and his 11th on end, bettering the 10 on end by Beauty Generation. Southern Legend was 2nd and Japan's runner, Admire Mars, 3rd.

Beauty Generation finished unplaced in the Mile and not long after the race his connections announced that he would be retired and he ended his career with that outstanding record of 18 wins from 34 starts and prizemoney, a record, HK $106,233,750. "I knew it would be on the table," said rider Zac Purton." He has been the best horse for me in my career. He was brave today and wherever he rests I will certainly go and see him.”

Purton was in the headlines with his great winning ride on the Japanese galloper, the mare Normcore. Purton gained the mount when Christophe Soumillon had to call off riding having tested last week to Covid 19. Purton now heads the list of winners at the International meeting, nine wins all told, bettering Gerard Mosse and he also, just a few days ago, gained his 1200th winner in Hong Kong at Happy Valley. Japan runners finished in the top four with Win Bright, 2nd and Danon Premium just behind Ireland's Magical.

Ryan Moore and the Aidan O'Brien’s three-year-old Mogul took out the HK Vase with the son of Galileo beating off Exultant and Columbus County to give Ryan Moore his third win in the Vase. The three-year-old won handsomely and even caught Moore unawares. "We have always expected a lot from him," he said "but today he really showed off his class." Moore said the Coolmore owned colt would make a fine international traveller next season. "He has a great mind so travelling won't worry him. He just does not stress."

In NZ I must say hats off to Chris Johnson, that wonderful jockey who was successful on the Eric Winsloe-trained Points Score at the Ascot Park meeting and he now joins David Walsh with 2451 winners to his credit … and, surely, he will take the record this week. Over the years Johnson has thrilled punters with his cool, calm riding and, more often than not, with a hands and heels finish. He is truly one of the great NZ riders and there have been many over the years.

Yesterday I commented on the fine wins by two-year-old Acrobat and Profiteer in Australia, but I must mention that stunning win turned in by the Jamie Richards colt Sword of State at Te Rapa. The colt finished his rivals off by some six lengths in a canter and looks to have an exciting future for Te Akau. David Ellis took the son of Snitzel from the Encosta De Lago mare Vanguard out of the MM sale from the draft of Sir Own Glenn for $600,000. "Sword of State fronted up well and won so well," said Richards of the handsome colt. While eligible for the MM it looks as though he will stay in NZ for the time being and aim at Gr1 fixtures with one in mind the Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie.

The stable also produced what I thought was also an exciting young galloper, the son of Savabeel, Brando, who beat a handy field of three-year-olds at Te Rapa. Ellis took this colt out of the Fairdale Stud draft at Karaka for $500,000 and he runs at Ellerslie next start over 1400 metres and then will head to the Levin Classic. Both colts look to be of real quality and have bloodlines to make them exciting sire prospects.

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