HK MAR 14 - SUPER SATIN TAKES OUT HK DERBY

By Courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club | Monday, March 15, 2010

Hong Kong, March 14, 2010.
Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby (Group 1).
HK$ 16,000,000 - 2000m.
Going - Good. Course - Turf (‘A’ Course).
1 Super Satin; 2 Super Pistachio; 3 Brave Kid.
Race Time: 2-03.59.
Sectionals: 25.31; 24.55 (49.86); 25.95 (1-15.81); 25.16 (1-40.97). 22.62 (2-03.59).

For champion trainer Caspar Fownes and nine times champion jockey Douglas Whyte the HK$16 million Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby of 2010 proved the dream come true, with both stars opening their accounts in the most prestigious race on the Hong Kong domestic racing calendar.

It was by only a head that Whyte, already a legend in Hong Kong racing, got Super Satin, the son of Danehill Dancer, up to collar the Tony Cruz trained Super Pistachio, but a head in racing is as big a margin as an inch in golf or a line call in any sport, and the difference was enough to throw both Fownes and owner Ranjan Tikam Mahtani into ecstasies.

Whyte, ever the professional, was a little more restrained in his celebrations, but there was no doubt what filling this gap in his illustrious Hong Kong CV meant to the popular South African.

"It's a dream come true," said Fownes when restored to at least partial calm.

"On paper this looked like the toughest Derby for years, as well as the most open.

"When the owner said to me months ago that we were going to win it with this horse, I just looked at him as though to ask 'What are you on?'. But he was right, and on the day I knew I couldn't have got my horse any better."

Fownes remains undecided on a future programme for the Derby winner, on the grounds that, "He's been up all season and won five already. So we'll give him a quiet time now. But he just keeps coming back, and we'll see how he is in the course of the week".

The grateful trainer, claiming unconvincingly that it would be "a quiet night tonight", also paid tribute to his jockey who completed a near perfect day for himself with victory in the nightcap on Sapelli.

"I'm very happy for Dougie too," said Fownes. "He's been champion for so long. He really deserves this."

Whyte himself was typically unemotional in describing the story of the race: "They went quick early, then slowed it down at the 800m. So I had a decision to make. Then Shane (Dye on Fair Trade) went and I followed him. As a result I was three lengths closer than I might have been early in the straight, which made all the difference.

"It has been a long time between drinks," he admitted on breaking his Derby drought. "But the wait has made me tougher and more determined to get the right horse. This time it was down to the last gallop (a barrier trial on March 5)."

Owner Mahtani, more conventionally moved, exclaimed: "It's every owner's dream to win the Derby and I've been owning horses in Hong Kong for ten years."

Only eighth with 400m to go, Super Satin came with a long run down the outside which just wore down the game Super Pistachio, who'd gone to the front at the 200m, with Brave Kid a length and a quarter away in third, and Beauty Flash - with Frankie Dettori on board - another half length away in fourth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Beauty Flash shifted out at the start, resulting in King Dancer being crowded for room and taken out onto Brave Kid. Irian began awkwardly.

Passing the 1600m, King Dancer got its head up when being restrained away from the heels of Brave Kid.

For some distance passing the 1200m, Tuscan Spirit was awkwardly placed close to the heels of Straight Forward when proving difficult to settle. Just prior to the 1000m, Fair Trade was shifted out to improve its position. After this, Fair Trade travelled wide and without cover.

Near the 850m, Irian was steadied away from the heels of Super Satin.

At the entrance to the Straight, Beauty Legend was momentarily crowded for room between Fair Trade and Brave Kid (B Prebble) which shifted out. B Prebble was advised to exercise care.

Approaching the 200m, Fair Trade was bumped by Brave Kid which shifted out. After this, Fair Trade raced in restricted room between Brave Kid and Super Satin which shifted in after being contacted on the hindquarters by Fair Trade.

Beauty Flash, Super Satin and Super Pistachio were sent for sampling.

All smiles for the camera at the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby trophy presentation ceremony.

All Photos: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Super Satin (Horse No. 6), ridden by Douglas Whyte and trained by Caspar Fownes, storms past Super Pistachio and Brave Kid to crown winner of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby (HK Gr 1, 2000m) at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Dr John C C Chan, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, presents the winning trophy to Mr Ranjan Tikam Mahtani, owner of the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby winner Super Satin, trainer Caspar Fownes and jockey Douglas Whyte.

Three Mercedes-Benz convertibles carry the owner, trainer and jockey of Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby winner Super Satin, for a parade on the turf track after the trophy presentation ceremony.