Social media star ‘flying’ ahead of QEII Cup
SOCIAL media fell in love with Pakistan Star early on in its career, but it’s now a serious thoroughbred which looks on track for the QEII Cup at Sha Tin on April 30.
Jockey Matthew Chadwick is well-acquainted with the four-year-old which showed a brilliant turn-of-foot when working in a 1200m barrier trial at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning.
The current $5 chance at Bet365.com defeated stablemate Eroico by three lengths and Chadwick believes the highly-touted runner is ‘flying’ ahead of the QEII.
“He felt good, very good, he’s flying,” Chadwick said. “It was better than his last trial going into the Derby, no doubt.
“He had a better response today than that day, he was a lot sharper. When I asked him, he quickened very well.”
It became such a star on social media because of its tendency to miss the jump and produce incredible sectionals in the run to the finish, but that’s no way to win at the top level and Chadwick said those problems could be behind it.
“The way he trialled last time and this time, the main difference was his acceleration,” Chadwick said. “Before the Derby, I was saying to the boys that I don’t think he can open up in those 21-second sectionals anymore.
“After that trial – and again, it is 2000m so it depends how it plays out, but there’s a good chance he will be able to finish off in the low-22s, that’s how he feels.”
Chadwick noted that it will be facing much tougher opposition in the QEII than what it faced in the trial, but was pleased with the effort.
“He jumped well and he travelled nicely in behind them, about midfield,” Chadwick said. “He went a bit wide on the turn but I was happy with his stride, then Beauty Way came up his inside and he started to quicken without me switching his legs yet.
“I waited until the 200 metres, and then I asked him for a bit of an effort and he switched legs and he quickened again. So he’s better than last time but this is also stronger opposition.”
Chadwick won’t be aboard Pakistan Star for the QEII, with the ride going to Silvestre de Sousa, who rode Pakistan Star in all three legs of the Four-Year-Old Classic behind Rapper Dragon.
Despite being replace on race day, Chadwick remains its regular track work rider and he’s confident that it has shown enough improvement to contest at the highest level.
“I said early on, give him six months to a year and he will be a different horse, a quality horse, and we’ve seen him progress through experience,” Chadwick said.
“He’s taken a little bit from every start and he’s put it into action in his races. It was probably a blessing in disguise that he drew outside in the Derby, as it meant he had to go back and that is how he is best ridden.
“The way he’s going now, I think he can win the QEII Cup.
“He’s a group one-quality horse.”