Rich Tapestry's Korea Sprint Start in Doubt

Hong Kong-based Rich Tapestry, a U.S. grade I winner, disappointed in a gate trial Aug. 30 at Sha Tin, putting in question his anticipated career finale in the inaugural $608,000 Keeneland Korea Sprint in South Korea.

Trainer Michael Chang's 8-year-old stable star never looked comfortable under jockey Olivier Doleuze in the six-furlong trial on the all-weather track. Coaxed along just behind the pace, he had little in the stretch and was not under any exertion as he faded to finish sixth of 12.

 

Doleuze described the effort as "below average" and jockey, trainer, and owners engaged in an extended post-trial discussion. 

The Holy Roman Emperor gelding, owned by a partnership, scored a historic first for a Hong Kong-trained horse when he won the 2014 Santa Anita Sprint Championship (gr. I) over Goldencents   and Secret Circle  . In his most recent start he was a lackluster seventh in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I), in which he placed a respective second and third in 2014 and 2015, emerging from the race with a joint problem.

"He injured the joint in Dubai and I gave him three months off," said Chang. "I started him back in late June and he's been working up to this race in Korea, but this morning he was just feeling a bit sore again.

"His trial was only so-so. He was feeling a little soreness in his joint so we will give him some medication today and then see how he is at the weekend. If he passes the vet, we will go on to Korea, but if he is not himself, then we will not take him."

The Korea Sprint, to be run at 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) on sand, is part of the Korean Racing Association's first international race day Sept. 11 at Seoul racecourse, the marquee event of which is the $855,000 Keeneland Korea Cup at about 1 1/8 miles.

 

"Hopefully he will still make it to Korea but, if not, he's done his job, so if he does not go to Korea I'll recommend to the owners that we retire him," said Chang.