The richest meeting in world horse racing ended with a spectacular firework display and a distinct sense that Hong Kong is an increasingly consistent force on the international stage, after taking out two of the five Group 1 events on the Dubai World Cup card.
Amber Sky’s bullet-like dash to victory in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m on turf) and the heroic one-two of Sterling City and Rich Tapestry in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m on Tapeta) grabbed the attention of the global audience. And while the five other Hong Kong raiders were unable to make the frame, there were some game performances in defeat, notably from Akeed Mofeed in the G1 Dubai World Cup and Dominant in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic .
“It has been a wonderful night for Hong Kong racing and the performances of our horses here have really cemented our place on the world stage,” said the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Director of Racing, Mr William A. Nader. “Winning two Group 1 races on the Dubai World Cup card is a remarkable achievement by any measure, but with only around 1200 horses in training in Hong Kong, it ranks up there with the proudest moments in the Club’s history.
“I would like to congratulate the connections of Amber Sky, Sterling City and indeed of all the Hong Kong-trained runners, especially Rich Tapestry, who completed a memorable Hong Kong quinella in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Joao Moreira also confirmed, with his double on the richest raceday on the planet, what Hong Kong racing fans already know, namely that he is a world-class jockey. Tonight is a reflection of the quality that we have in Hong Kong, both horses and horsemen. It is a night for Hong Kong to be proud.”
After the Hong Kong elation earlier in the evening, hopes were high that Military Attack or Akeed Mofeed might cap the night in the finale, the US$10 million Dubai World Cup (2000m on Tapeta). It was not to be, as Military Attack appeared less than enamoured with the kick-back on the Tapeta surface and Akeed Mofeed lost momentum on the turn.
“He had a lovely trip and was in a nice position,” said jockey Douglas Whyte of the Richard Gibson-trained Akeed Mofeed, who kept on to finish fifth behind the Saeed bin Suroor-trained victor, African Story.
“I was happy with him but Joseph O’Brien (Ruler Of The World) leant on me at the top of the straight, which didn’t help us, and then he just ran on evenly.”
Joao Moreira was struggling to find daylight for Military Attack down the stretch, and the John Moore-trained gelding could finish only 10th of the 16 runners.
“On the whole it wasn’t a bad race for my horse,” said Moreira. “I didn’t have much luck in the race – I got checked a few times. He didn’t really enjoy the surface, to be very honest, and he threw his head up a few times.”
In the previous race, the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m on turf), Moreira settled the Moore-trained Dominant at the rear from his wide gate and was forced to swing wide into the Meydan straight. The six-year-old ran home gamely to finish fifth, two and a half lengths behind the triumphant Japanese champion, Gentildonna.
“Unfortunately, there were a few horses that got into trouble at the first bend in front of me, and that got me a little too far back,” said Moreira. “He ran an enormous race. Looking at what he has done in coming from second or third last to finish fifth, very close to the winner, it was a good run.”
In the night’s other G1 contest, the Dubai Duty Free (1800m on turf), the Tony Cruz-trained Blazing Speed performed some way below his best as he faded in the stretch to pass the post 10th of 13, a long way behind the runaway winner, Japan’s Just A Way.