Japan's Neorealism Lands Hong Kong's QEII

Neorealism jumped to the lead with a dramatic move halfway through the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1) at Sha Tin April 30 and held off the top two local contestants for a narrow win.

Pakistan Star was second, a neck behind the Neorealism, and Werther, last year's winner and this year's favorite, was another neck back in third.

The race shaped up as a tactical challenge with no confirmed speed. The United States, representing Australia, inherited the lead on the first turn and the field crawled into the backstretch.

At that point, jockey Joao Moreira had enough and cued Neorealism, a 6-year-old son of Neo Universe who finished ninth in the Dec. 11 Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1) over the same course.

"Unfortunately, he did not break that well, as we had in mind to lead the race," Moreira said. "But that worked out, as I was able to get him to relax."

Moreira said he settled on the mid-race move, feeling Neorealism "doesn't seem to be a horse who would sit and sprint."

Within a few jumps, Neorealism was in front and had enough in the tank to hold off the locals in the end, finishing 2,000 meters (1 1/4 miles) on good to firm turf in 2:04.59.

"Japanese horses are strong wherever they go and I'm blessed to be his jockey today," said Moreira, the local favorite known as "Magic Man."

Both Silvestre de Sousa, on Pakistan Star, and Hugh Bowman, aboard Werther, said the pace contributed to the outcome.

"He ran a very good race, the pace was just too slow early. He got left behind when they sprinted but finished off so well," de Sousa said of Pakistan Star.

Bowman added Werther "acquitted himself well. It was very slow in the middle stages and that didn't suit him. I thought the sprint home would, but the Japanese horse just got a break on us."

Blazing Speed, who won the QEII Cup in 2015, finished fourth in this year's edition. Designs On Rome, the 2014 winner, was last.

Other than Neorealism, the foreign runners fared poorly. The United States faded to finish fifth and Dicton, representing France, beat only Designs On Rome. Both riders said their mounts would have appreciated softer ground.

Winning trainer Noriyuki Hori said Neorealism learned from his unsuccessful trip to Hong Kong last December and Sunday's success could lead to further overseas expeditions.

"Of course, there are some options (overseas)," Hori said. "We'll see."

Neorealism's previous claim to fame was a victory in the Sapporo Kinen (G2) last fall, where he led all the way to defeat Maurice.