Werther ready for final group one race of the Hong Kong season
TRAINER John Moore is confident Werther is primed for the final group one race of Hong Kong’s racing season, the Standard Chartered Champions and Chater Cup.
The former horse of the year went into last year’s race as the -142.86 favourite at Sportsbet.com.au after hammering the field in the QEII Cup, but the New Zealand export failed to finish off the season in style.
Moore believes his gelding had plenty of excuses last year, but this year there are no such worries.
“You have to remember that last season’s Champions & Chater Cup came at the end of a tough program,” Moore said.
“This time, because of the setback he had earlier in the season, Werther hasn’t got the mileage on him.”
Werther is the $2.50 favourite at Bet365.com.au to take out the 2017 Champions and Chater Cup on Sunday.
Lameness in his off-hind back in August meant that Werther did not race again until the end of January, but Sunday will be the horse’s fifth race back since returning.
Moore believes the former Kiwi is “ready” for Sunday’s feature.
“Last year, he went in a little bit on the tired side after going through the Four-Year-Old Series and winning the Derby then the QEII, but this time he’s going in ready for it.”
The five-year-old has not won beyond the 2200m distance, but Moore is confident that Werther has what it takes to win at the journey.
Moore believes if his star galloper can get the race to suit in transit Werther will easily dominate the field.
“Hopefully, he can draw the right gate and we can put him to sleep with the speed in front of him.
“I’m expecting they’ll go a good tempo, none of this having a cup of tea on the backstretch.”
The man who will take to the saddle on Sunday is not so sure.
Australian superstar Hugh Bowman thinks the 2400m journey might be a beyond the champion galloper, but is not ruling out the horse by any means.
“The 2400m is a bit of an ask for him – it might be a bit far,” Bowman said of Werther.
“I think 2000m is his best but he won’t have to run for probably another three months.
“It’s a race where the conditions are perfect for him – weight-for-age. He’s really only taking on the Hong Kong horses, who he is better than, but it’s just important that he relaxes.”
Bowman believes Werther’s third placing in the QEII Cup was not indicative of the horse’s chances on Sunday.
“The other day (in the QE II Cup), he wanted to overdo it. It was a ridiculously run race.
“Last year, he raced a bit fresh and didn’t finish off over as well over 2000. But that is my job. To make it happen.”
Werther is not the only star runner Moore will take into Saturday’s feature.
Former group one winning horses Eagle Way (+250 at Bet365.com.au) and Helene Charisma (+550 at Bet365.com.au) will also saddle up in the HK$10 million race, but Moore is adamant Werther is the one to beat.
“Werther’s got the writing on the wall,” the trainer said.
“He’s done everything right leading into the race, he’s got Australia’s premier jockey on board and I told Hugh (Bowman) the other day that he’s going to be riding a very fit horse on Sunday.
“Of my others, Eagle Way’s last run suggests he’s going to give Werther a run for his money, and if we were to get some rain on Sunday, Helene Charisma would relish it.”