Criterion, Military Attack Inside in QEII Cup
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Two of the top picks for the April 26 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-I) at Sha Tin drew the inside post positions in Thursday's ceremony April 23.
Criterion, Australia's hope, drew the rail and Military Attack, second in this event last year for the home team, drew post 2. Last year's winner, Designs On Rome, will break from the 11 gate in a field of 12. Designs On Rome is back from a fourth-place finish last month in the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I) at Meydan. None of the 11 Hong Kong horses who have competed in Dubai has returned to win the QEII.
The barrier draw can be important in the QEII as the 2,000-meters race—about 1 1/2 miles—features a short run into the first turn.
Three other foreign raiders enjoyed mixed fortune in the draw. France's entry, Smoking Sun, starts from the 10 hole. Japanese hopeful Staphanos drew post 5. And globetrotting British veteran Red Cadeaux will go from the 9 spot.
Trainer John Moore, who handles Designs On Rome and two other starters, said his star performer has rebounded well from the trip to Dubai. "He'll be 100 percent" with a few days' more work, Moore allowed.
"He's a little bit off in the coat but I'm sure the extra couple of days will put that sheen back. Every day he has improved since coming back," the trainer remarked.
David Hayes, who trained in Hong Kong for nine season before moving to Australia, said he also is optimistic about Criterion, a 4-year-old, New Zealand-bred son of Sebring who finished a good third behind Designs On Rome and Military Attack last December in the Longines Hong Kong Cup (HK-I) despite interruptions in his training. "We're a little more confident," Hayes said. "I think he's a little bit better than he was last time."
Should Criterion run well in the QEII, he is expected to move along to Royal Ascot in June, where he could meet U.S. Horse of the Year California Chrome and several other top middle-distance runners in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (Eng-I). That field could include the likes of Cirrus Des Aigles, Spielberg, The Grey Gatsby, and Free Eagle.
In a bit of an oddity, Hayes enlisted Zac Purton to ride Criterion in a mid-week trackwork session, subbing for race-day rider Craig Williams. Purton, who will ride Military Attack on Sunday, praised the performance and poise of the Aussie entry.
Smoking Sun, a 6-year-old, American-bred son of Smart Strike , put on a bit of a show during morning trackwork Thursday, shying from the rail around the stretch turn during an easy gallop, then refusing another turn around the Sha Tin oval. His handlers said the behavior is not unusual for the horse, who finished second in last year's Singapore Airlines International Cup (Sing-I) and sixth in last summer's Arlington Million (gr. IT).
Staphanos, a 4-year-old Deep Impact colt, was reported early in the week to have lost weight during training and to have been slightly off his feed. He worked well in subsequent mornings at Sha Tin, however.
The QEII this year is worth HK$20 million, or about US$2.58 million.