Rapper Dragon set to give Moore seventh Champions Mile success
TRAINER John Moore dominates the big race in Hong Kong, so much so he’s seeking his seventh Champions Mile success with a two-pronged attack this Sunday.
The champion horseman is no stranger to having quality thoroughbred talent and that’s evident with both Rapper Dragon and Helene Paragon.
Current favourite Rapper Dragon has been tearing through the opposition in 2017 after winning every leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and it defeated a similar field in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy last start.
Joao Moreira partnered the son of Street Boss in a trial on Thursday and he doesn’t want to be on any other runner ahead of the Sha Tin feature.
“There are only a few words I can say that do it justice – I wouldn’t want to be on any other horse,” Moreira said.
“I’ve said it before, but I do think at the moment, he’s the best in Hong Kong. His gallop was exactly what you’d want three days out from a race.”
Moore has won the Champions Mile with Able One (2007, 2010), Xtension (2011, 2012), Dan Excel (2013) and Able Friend (2015) – and is happy with what he witness in trackwork.
“Very happy with that,” Moore said. “Everything went to plan, Joao said he couldn’t feel any fitter, he’s happy with the way he’s going.
“There’s no progression in a sense, he just believes that he can do the job in open company.”
Punters shouldn’t rule out stablemate Helene Paragon, which is the only other horse in Hong Kong to win multiple group ones this season.
The Group 1 Stewards’ Cup and Silver Jubilee Cup winner is looking to bounce back after two disappointing efforts, but Moore believes it could be back to its best after pleasing work on Thursday morning.
“That was impressive work,” Moore said. “On his trackwork, he’s going to run a big race.”
“Maybe he’s just focused again now, after he idled for a little bit – I eased off him, but I’ve flicked the switch and he seems to have turned a corner.
“Now he just needs to translate that to Sunday – if he produces his best form, he’s right up there with Rapper Dragon and Beauty Only on his peak.”
Sam Clipperton rode Helene Paragon in the trial, but will make way for fellow Australian hoop Tommy Berry come race day.
“I rode Helene Paragon when he was at his peak earlier this season,” Clipperton said. “His last two pieces of work – his gallop on Saturday and again today – they have been as good, if not better, than earlier in the season when he was flying.
“I think he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”