Werther on track for more G1 glory in Champions And Charter Cup
Former Australasian star Werther is looking to add another group one to its tally in the Group 1 Champions And Charter Cup this Sunday.
The HK$10 million feature is the final major race of the season and after scoring outstanding wins in the Hong Kong Derby and the QEII Cup, Werther looks set for more international success.
The son of Tavistock x Baggalollies hasn’t raced over 2400m since running second in the South Australian Derby (2500m) over a year ago. Trainer John Moore believes the extra distance will only help Werther which raced away with a four-length win in the QEII Cup last month.
“I think the further he goes the better he goes because the way he relaxed with Hugh [Bowman] in the QEII the other day gave a good indication that he could go further than 2400 metres,” Moore said.
Werther put itself firmly on the international scene by beating a champion field last start which included race-rivals Military Attack, Blazing Speed and Designs On Rome.
“Werther hasn’t put a step wrong since his QEII win,” Moore said. “His regular riding boy reported that he’s still in top form and the surface doesn’t matter – he goes on whatever. He’s versatile and he’d be the pick of mine.”
The four-year-old is also the pick of the punters’ who have backed it into firm-favouritism at $2 with Sportsbet.com.au. It was always going to be short after handling a similar field last start and the only other money has come for Giovanni Canaletto at $7.
The recent history of the Champions and Charter Cup should be of concern for punters as Designs On Rome and Blazing Speed were unable to back up their QEII wins in the last two years, but Moore isn’t reading too much into the history of the race.
“I think this will be a year when the form works out,” Moore said. “I don’t see an upset with this horse. He’s as genuine as the day is long – he’s a very easy horse to train. He’s maintained his fitness right through, so I don’t see any hiccups. He’ll be very hard to beat.”
Designs On Rome with something to prove
Although it hasn’t been the same horse since undergoing surgery last season, Hong Kong favourite Designs On Rome could be worth backing as a saver at $6.50 with Crownbet.com.au.
Champion jockey Joao Moreira is reuniting with the six-year-old and his confidence is evident after some positive trackwork.
“He feels as good as we would wish him to be,” Moreira said. “If the ground is not that bad on Sunday he can win, I’m confident in that.”
Trainer John Moore has a four-horse stranglehold on the Champions And Charter Cup and believes his second-elect Designs On Rome needs to prove its worth over the 2400m.
“There’s always that query [that it can run out the distance], given that he has failed at the mile and a half,” Moore said. “He’s an exceptionally good horse at 2000m, but still has to prove it.
“The only other time he tried this race it was the end of a tough season. Then the pace of the Dubai race never suited his run style, but he closed off well; he was ridden quietly that night though, so you’d expect him to close off.”
Champion Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira is exerting much more confidence and John Moore and states that he has no worries with Designs On Rome seeing out the staying distance.
“I have no doubts about the distance,” he said. “He ran really well in Dubai at the 2400m and I don’t think he was 100 percent that day – if he brings that form to the race on Sunday, he’s a winning chance anyway.”
Designs On Rome looked good in work last Monday, running home in 52.7 seconds.
“He feels really good now and he hasn’t had as tough a season as he had two years ago when he tried this race – he had a really tough season that time,” Moreira said. “As we know, soft ground would make Werther too hard to beat. It was like watching him taking candy off a baby on that softer ground last time, but if the ground is right Designs On Rome has what it takes to win.”
Moore was happy with Moreira’s assessment of the former QEII champion which will likely settle back in the small field before circling around the home turn.
“Joao came back and said if this horse had been in the same condition in December he’d have run much closer in the Hong Kong Cup,” Moore said. “He said the horse feels like he’s in top form and he felt no issues with his soundness, so that feedback was good to hear.”
Champions And Charter Cup betting market
There hasn’t been much movement in the market since it opened with Sportsbet this week. As expected, former Australasian runner Werther has taken the majority of the money and we’re expecting its current price to shorten come race day.
There has been specking for two of John Moore’s three other runners in Victory Magic and Designs On Rome, but the market is heavily in favour of a Werther win and bookmakers would be happy with any other result.
Werther – $2 at Sportsbet.com.au
Victory Magic – $5.50
Designs On Rome – $6.50
Giovanni Canaletto – $7
Blazing Speed – $7.50
Ambitious Champion – $13
Military Attack – $15
Helene Happy Star – $41
Helene Super Star – $101
Expect the John Moore-trained Helene Happy Star to go forward and give noted chasers Werther and Designs On Rome some pace in the race. 2400m staying races can be void of pace and although we’re not stating Moore has a pacemaker in the race, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it go forward.
One runner which is getting no respect in the betting is Military Attack and trainer Caspar Fownes isn’t overly worried about facing the usual suspects on Sunday.
“His run last start was enormous,” Fownes said. “He’s got his problems and he’ll be looking forward to a nice summer break, but we did a little bit of work with him on Tuesday and he worked really well – I’m very happy with him. His fitness is good.”
Military Attack ran an 800m gallop on Tuesday in 51.3 seconds and Fownes doesn’t have concerns about it stepping up over this distance for the first time.
“I don’t think the distance will be an issue,” Fownes said. “He’s there to run first three of four. It’s the usual suspects – Werther’s been ultra-impressive and you then have us, Designs On Rome and Blazing Speed. That’s the four, with Werther at the head of them.”
It represents value at the $15 with Bet365.com.au.