How all the Aussies went in the Hong Kong International Series

Beauty Only
Beauty Only give Zac Purton his second Group one of the day in the Hong Kong Mile

THE Hong Kong International Series is a race day that the Australian trainers target as one of the most important and richest meetings outside of our own shores.

Although we place a great emphasis on achieving success in Sha Tin, it has been awhile since we have made a big impact in Hong Kong.

Not since the glory days of 2000-01 when Falvelon and Damian Oliver went to Hong Kong and took out the Sprint back-to-back have Australian horses made the trip successfully to claim group one glory, but there was plenty of optimism about what Rebel Dane and Takedown could achieve.

There were plenty of Australian horses and jockeys over in Hong Kong over the weekend, so let’s recap who the big winners were and how Rebel Dane and Takedown fared in the Sprint.

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Zac Purton takes out the Hong Kong jockeys challenge

It was a day out for Lismore product Zac Purton who secured the Hong Kong Jockey’s Challenge on one of the most competitive race days in the world.

The 33-year-old secured two of the coveted group 1 races for the day, taking out the Hong Kong Mile and the Hong Kong Sprint.

South American superstar Joao Moreira and Purton were separated by just a few points heading into the final race, but Purton was able to secure a third-placed Apollo Choice ahead of the ‘Magic Man’s’ horse, sealing the jockey’s challenge win.

Hong Kong Mile winner Beauty Only was arguably Purton’s finest riding performance of the day.

The dual-group 1 winner on the day said he was pleased the horse allowed him to win two of the four big races of the day.

“He was really good. I think we’re just starting to see the best of him. He’s always been so honest but now that he’s fully matured and acclimatised we’re really seeing what he can do.” Purton said.

“It was good to see how he let down like that and to get another one on the board.”

Despite replicating Ryan Moore’s dual group 1 success that launched his successful pursuit of the 2016 World’s Best Jockey crown, Purton believes it would be a futile conquest for any Asian-based rider.

“It’s too hard to win the World’s Best Jockey award from here in Hong Kong. We just don’t get the opportunity to ride in enough of the races to be competitive,” he said.

“It’s a great concept and I watch it with interest, but the structure just doesn’t give everyone the chance to compete for it.”

Takedown and Rebel Dane fail to fire in the Sprint

The Hong Kong Sprint was meant to be Australia’s best chance at group 1 glory on Hong Kong’s International Series race day, but Takedown and Rebel Dane failed to make a lasting impression.

Although Zac Purton was successful aboard Aerovelocity, the Aussie horses were never in the reckoning.

Rebel Dane looked to be travelling well in the running and was presented at the right time, but failed to find a kick in the straight, finishing a disappointing 11th.

The team blamed a three wide run for the majority of the race for the failure to fire in the straight.

After settling back in the running, Takedown was left to do too much by the end of the race on a track that favoured front runners for the majority of the day.

The Gary Moore-trained runner made up ground admirably to finish just two lengths off the winner, but such was the blanket finish of the race, the Winterbottom Stakes-winner ended back in sixth.

Moore said he was disappointed that the race did not pan out the way he liked, but was confident the horse can make an impact at Sha Tin in the future.

“Takedown is a frontrunner and he was back in the field and that is not how he races,” Moore said.

“I wouldn’t have been surprised if he ran last from where he was. It’s just frustrating when you come all this way get a run like that. He is good enough for here and we will come back.”

Could Eagle Way be the next Werther after winning debut in Hong Kong?

It may have taken until the last race of the day for an Australian horse to salute, but for Queensland Derby winner Eagle Way, the plaudits have been coming in thick and fast.

Eagle Way stuck its neck out on the line to secure a class 2 victory against a competitive field, which included prodigiously talented Pakistan Star – who started as a $1.65 favourite.

The win has drawn comparisons to Werther, who unveiled its talents late last year in a class two over the 1600m and subsequently went on to capture the 2016 Hong Kong Derby, QEII Cup and horse of the year honours.

Trainer John Moore said believes he may have a Hong Kong Derby contender on his hands after Eagle Way “did a Werther” after saluting in its Sha Tin debut.

“He is just an out-and-out stayer this guy,” Moore said.

“The mile is a minimum requirement for him, and it was a great sign for him to run like that first-up.”


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