Rapper Dragon one step closer to Hong Kong Classic Series victory
RAPPER Dragon is one win away from becoming the first horse to win the Four-Year-Old Classic Series after taking out Sunday’s Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin.
The John Moore-trained star will now only need to win the 2017 Hong Kong Derby to secure the Classic Series having already won the Classic Cup and the Classic Mile last month.
The Australian-bred gelding was the well-favoured $1.65 favourite at Sportsbet.com.au on Sunday and the victory never looked in doubt as jockey Joao Moreira kicked away in the straight as Pakistan Star did well to close late.
Moreira was full of praise for Rapper Dragon, stating that it could be one of the best horses he’s ever ridden.
“The way he won today was pretty much the same as the first leg,” Moreira said.
“He’s pretty smart, he relaxed nicely in the race and that indicates that he’s going to handle the Derby distance, so I think I’ve got the best horse.”
“I think he’s pretty close to the best horses I’ve ridden. Winning on him today again was pretty special.”
Moore will head into the Derby will great confidence in his son of Street Boss which will likely start as the hot favourite with bookmakers.
“He’s a very good horse, I’d said that before, and we had no doubts about him getting the extra 200 metres today, he drew the gun gate” Moore said.
“There was quite a lot of speed early, which was a big surprise, but he was the top-rated horse.
“We’re going into the Derby full of confidence and now we just hope the owner can pull a good draw in the Derby and I think he’d be repeating.
“He’s definitely the horse to beat. He’s going to be joining the elite brigade in Hong Kong.”
Running an eye-catching race was fan-favourite Pakistan Star, which reverted back to its come-from-behind tactics used earlier in its career.
It ran the quickest final 400m in 22.08 seconds with Rapper Dragon running 22.42 seconds.
“He’s run a good race,” jockey Silvestre de Sousa said. “Tony asked me to sit out the back and switch him off and he’s come with a big late run, so he’s finished well, that’s just the way he likes to run, obviously.
“He’s going well!”
Second favourite Seasons Bloom didn’t have the best run in transit, with Australian jockey Nash Rawiller getting it into a tricky midfield position, but it battled on well for third.
“He was bumped by another horse and lost his right-fore shoe, so he ran a good race,” trainer Danny Shum said.
“Hopefully he can improve again in the next month and then we’ll aim for the Derby.”
Group 1 Queensland Derby winner Eagle Way was making good ground late as it prepares for the more suitable Derby distance.
Jockey Tommy Berry was pleased with the effort and believes it will get better as it stretches over the longer distances.
“I had to double-check early, I thought it might have been a 1000-metre race, they went that quick!” Berry said.
“I thought he was going to run top three at the top of the straight but he hit a little bit of a flat spot halfway down, and when I changed my stick through to my right and gave him a couple, he found the line strong again.
“The Derby distance will suit him well and he’s going to be a perfect Champions & Chater Cup horse for the future.”