Rapper Dragon races into 2017 Group 1 Hong Kong Derby contention
Hong Kong-based trainer John Moore has another Derby prospect on his hands with Rapper Dragon winning the Group 3 Lion Rock Trophy at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The three-year-old is on a path towards the Group 1 Hong Kong Derby next year and Joao Moreira was rewarded for sticking with it as he could have ridden stablemate and the highly-touted Helene Paragon.
“He’s a horse that helps the jockey and he’s a horse I have a lot of faith in – I think he’s going to be a group 1 winner,” Moreira said. “I say that to the trainer and I’m not scared of saying that to the press. He gives me that feeling.
“Once he goes over longer ground I think he’ll show what he really is and I think he’s a real racehorse.”
John Moore is excited about having another classy Derby prospect with Rapper Dragon, but is also positive about the chances of former Australian stayer Montaigne.
“Rapper Dragon’s the Derby-elect at the present moment, but we have another horse in quarantine at the moment that is supposed to be special, by the name of Montaigne,” Moore said.
“That’s Rapper Dragon’s last run of the season, we’ll put him away and of course he’ll be set next season to run out the 2000 [metres] and hopefully put another trophy on the shelf.
“He’ll definitely stay, he’s very laidback – Joao always has to stoke him up and he knew the best part of the track today was in the centre.
“He beat some very nice horses there but we always said he was talented and he did it again today. We’ll put him away now and give him three to four runs into the Derby.”
Sunday’s win aboard Rapper Dragon was Moreira’s 146th of the season, breaking his win record of 145 last season and there’s still 11 meeting left to ride.
“I knew I was going to get there, it was a matter of time and fortunately it came today,” Moreira said. “The feeling is amazing because it’s not just about me, without the support of everyone who has supported me I wouldn’t have been able to make it.
“I have my feet on the ground and I still don’t know why it happens in my life but my old master used to say ‘whoever works hard, God helps’ and I think I’ve had a bit of help from the man upstairs.”
Stablemate Helene Paragon was the disappointing effort in the race. The potential group 1 1600m horse didn’t have everything go its way, but Moore believes it will bounce back.
“The speed didn’t suit – Rewarding Hero was able to lay up – so I’d forget Helene Paragon’s run,” Moore said. “He’ll have two more runs and I’ll be twisting Joao’s arm to ride him again.
“If he draws a gate and gets a bit of cover, he gets on well with Joao – I can’t blame the jockey today he just couldn’t get cover. But I do believe Helene Paragon’s a group 1 miler and he just needs a bit more time.”