HK FEB 16 - KING DANCER CLAIMS DERBY TRIAL

By - Courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club | Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Hong Kong, February 16, 2010.
The Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial.
HK$ 3,000,000 - 1800m.
Going - Good. Course - Turf (A Course).
1 King Dancer; 2 Super Satin; 3 Beauty Flash.
Race Time: 1-24.88.
Sectionals: 13.83; 21.97 (35.80); 24.02 (59.82); 25.06 (1.24.88).

English trainer Sean Woods stunned a 85,000 Chinese New Year crowd when his British import King Dancer came from well back in the field to beat the strongly supported Super Satin and ranging favourite Beauty Flash in the Hong Kong Group 2 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby Trial over 1800m at Sha Tin on Tuesday.

The betting turnover today reached a staggering HK$1,161 million, which rose by 10.4 percent when compared to the turnover in last year's Chinese New Year race-day.

A sum of HK$141 million from today's turnover is attributed to the Government as betting duty, while another HK$54 million is shared by the Club as gross margin.

Woods said after the race he always had confidence in the son of Danehill Dancer though early setbacks had made the task of getting him right a little harder.

"It was nice to see him coming through as he had a bit of luck this time," Woods said. "I have been very confident with this horse from last year, to be honest. Things haven't gone quite right but we haven't pushed any buttons because the Derby is a long way from the start of the season.

"We really got stuck into him this last couple of weeks and everything has come together well, though he is still very playful."

Woods said the Derby distance of 2000m would suit the horse even better though eventually his best distance will be 2200m to 2400m.

Big race jockey Gerald Mosse said the owner and trainer may have got a little worried as King Dancer got further back than he expected in the early running but he did not want to push the horse and allowed him to run where he was comfortable.

He said the horse is a fighter and he was now looking ahead to the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby on 14 March.

"I will be on him, he looks like he has progressed each time he has raced and the distance will not be a problem," he said.

Owner Peter Chu Ka Lok was delighted to win the Derby Trial and he highly appreciated the team effort.

"We planned the horse to run in the Hong Kong Derby early this season and Sean (Woods) and the jockey did a good preparation," Chu said. "He has a great turn of foot."

Super Satin looked the winner at the 200m mark but could not hold off the late finish of King Dancer and had to be content with being the runner-up.

Nevertheless, trainer Caspar Fownes said he was not disappointed as the horse had shown he had the necessary potential.

Having kept behind the fast pace set by his stable-mate California Memory and John Size's Tuscan Spirit, trainer Tony Cruz's Beauty Flash finished third in this Hong Kong Group 2 event, at a margin of half a length behind race winner King Dancer.

Despite the defeat, his next mission remains the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby.

Trainer John Moore's Irian was doing his best work at the finish and he could improve on this run on Derby day.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
On arrival at the saddling stalls, it was noted that Cerise Cherry had blood in the right nostril. Cerise Cherry was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was not suitable to race. Accordingly, the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Cerise Cherry.

As the blood in the right nostril of Cerise Cherry originated from a head trauma, the horse was not deemed to have bled. Before being allowed to race again, Cerise Cherry will be subjected to an official veterinary examination.

Jolly Good was slow to begin. Near the 1600m, Beauty Legend was awkwardly placed close to the heels of Super Pistachio. Irian had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight.

Near the 250m, Appreciation, which was commencing to give ground, was steadied when crowded for room between Irian which shifted out slightly and Chater Way which shifted in. Passing the 200m, Chater Way was steadied when crowded for room between Irian and King Dancer (G Mosse) which shifted in. G Mosse was reprimanded and advised to exercise greater care in future. In this incident, Chater Way bumped the hindquarters of Irian, resulting in that horse becoming unbalanced.

Throughout the race, Straight Forward travelled wide and without cover. Beauty Flash, King Dancer and Super Satin were sent for sampling.

More articles