Ryan Moore and Wellington combine for Hong Kong Sprint glory
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Royal Ascot could be on the agenda for Wellington following his victory in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin.
He suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Lucky Sweynesse on his most recent start and pulled up lame, but Wellington reversed that form in the hands of Ryan Moore, substituting for regular partner Alexis Badel who was injured in a fall last month.
Sight Success led the runners into the home straight in the six-furlong contest, with Ryan Moore plotting an ideal route down the middle of the track aboard the winner.
Wellington, who is trained by Richard Gibson, responded in style coming home a cosy winner from Sight Success with last year’s race winner Sky Field third. Lucky Sweynesse struggled to get a clear run through and finished sixth.
Gibson could now look to Royal Ascot for his charge, with Cape Of Good Hope (2005) and Little Bridge (2012) having previously struck for Hong Kong handlers at the summer showpiece.
“In a five-month preparation we have put everything into getting him back and ready for today, but if he comes out of it good of course we will look at Ascot,” he said.
“You can’t call yourself a sprint champion unless you take out this big one. I’m gutted for Alexis Badel but proud of our team, who had a lot of work to do after his last run.
“We let nature take its course and were patient and also pleased that he hadn’t missed any work. I thought Ryan’s execution was micro perfect.”
Moore was full of praise for his mount and delighted to get on the Sha Tin scoresheet.
He said: “He began well off a very slow pace for the first furlong and a half to two furlongs. I was happy and mindful that he would be able to go when he wanted to go.
“He quickened up and sealed it in a few strides – I’ve always felt he was the best sprinter in Hong Kong.
“To me he looked the part. He had excuses the last time and today he was very relaxed and fell asleep during the race, but as soon as I asked him he was straight into gear.
“I’m very fortunate to come here so often and it’s a fitting way to end the year.”
Golden Sixty denied in Mile
California Spangle repelled the late surge of Golden Sixty to land the Longines Hong Kong Mile.
Golden Sixty was widely expected to win the Group One heat for a third time and had beaten California Spangle on his last two starts.
However, Zac Purton gave the winner a fine ride, racing into the straight behind pace-setter Beauty Joy before seizing the initiative and going for home two furlongs out.
While Golden Sixty set off in his customary late surge, he just could not reel in California Spangle, with ex-Irish runner Laws Of Indices keeping on for a creditable third for Australian trainer Annabel Neasham.
California Spangle’s trainer Tony Cruz said: “Everything can change within a second in a race like that, but I expected him to win an international race one day.
“Golden Sixty is a fantastic horse but maybe age is catching up with him.
“Everything turned out fantastically well for us and we are lucky to have Zac in the saddle.”
Purton added: “It was pretty straightforward in the early stages as Tony told me to let him roll along, but today he kept coming back underneath me waiting for the other horses.
“I think today we have seen how versatile he can be. When he went clear I could hear Golden Sixty breathing down my neck, but when we were still in front at the hundred I thought, hang on, he’s not going to catch us.
“I won’t discredit Golden Sixty in any way, but today we evened things up and I would like to pay tribute to Tony, who was a legendary jockey and is also a legend as a trainer in the way he gets horses to peak for him.”
Win Marilyn swoops in Vase
Win Marilyn produced a storming late run to deny French raider Botanik in the Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.
Trained by Takahisa Tezuka and ridden by Damien Lane, Win Marilyn had not been beaten far in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup on her latest start and sealed her first Group One success in style.
Senor Toba set out to make all in the 12-furlong contest, with William Buick setting in second aboard the Andre Fabre-trained Botanik while Ryan Moore and Stone Age, who is trained by Aidan O’Brien sat on his heels in third.
It looked as though Buick was in prime position in the straight when Senor Toba began to back pedal, but Lane was lining up Win Marilyn for her run, sweeping round the outside of the field.
Fellow Japanese runner Glory Vase, who was bidding for a third successive win in the race, tried to go with her, but Win Marilyn was just too strong.
Botanik held on for second, with Glory Vase third and Stone Age fifth. His fellow O’Brien inmate Broome failed to figure in the finish.
Tezuka said: “After the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, we got together and unanimously decided to target this race.
“The mare was at her optimum trip and Damien gave her the perfect ride.
“It’s my first winner here and I’m incredibly proud.”
Lane added: “I’m breathing a sigh of relief to break my duck here. She showed such a good turn of foot in the QEII when I thought the horse that beat us was something special.
“I’m proud to be a part of Japanese racing and getting on good horses like her.”
Deputising for Mickael Barzalona, Buick was impressed with Botanik, who looks set to be an international flagbearer going forward for Godolphin.
“He’s run a blinder, he’s a lovely horse,” said Buick. “To be honest, if you ignore his run on Arc day, he looked like he had a real chance.
“Mr Fabre doesn’t send many horses here and when he does send them you know they have a chance.”
Buick added: “He’s Mickael’s ride and unfortunately Mickael has Covid so I’m only a step-in. But he’s going to be a real nice stayer for next year. He’s got a great attitude and he stayed well the whole way.”
There was to be no third success in this race for 2019 and 2021 winner Glory Vase but he still put up a brave performance to be third.
“He went alright, he did his best,” said Joao Moreira. “His condition was as good as it could be but with his age and younger horses coming up. I’m proud of what he has done.”
German hopes were dashed when Mendocino reared as the stalls opened and refused to race for Rene Piechulek.
Warrior coasts home
Romantic Warrior coasted to victory in the Longines Hong Kong Cup for trainer Danny Shum and jockey James McDonald.
The four-year-old could be called the winner from some way out, grabbing the lead a furlong out and quickly putting daylight between himself and the rest of the field.
McDonald had time to ease down and salute the Sha Tin crowd as Danon The Kid chased him home in second.
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