Werther Goes the Distance in Hong Kong

Werther answered the distance question with authority in the final group 1 event of Hong Kong's season, kicking away from his main rival, Blazing Speed, to win the May 28 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (G1) by three lengths.

The reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, with blinkers off for the race, relaxed nicely behind an honest pace in the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) test. As the pacemaker gave way, jockey Hugh Bowman gave Werther the "go" signal turning for home and he quickly challenged Blazing Speed, a two-time winner in the race.

Blazing Speed, an 8-year-old gelding by Dylan Thomas, offered only momentary resistance before Werther, a 5-year-old, New Zealand-bred Tavistock gelding, pulled away.

Blazing Speed held for second, three lengths ahead of Eagle Way. Werther finished in 2:29.26 over good-to-firm turf with Bowman waving his whip as he crossed the line.

"Although my gut feeling was that 2,400 (meters) was probably beyond his premium distance, I think he proved today that he's got no drama with it, as long as he can relax within himself," Bowman said. "And he was able to do it this afternoon with the blinkers off."

The win was the second group 1 of the season for Werther, with the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) in February. He started late due to an injury, leaving him a fresher horse than most of his rivals as summer's hibernation approaches.

His success at the added distance opens possibilities for trainer John Moore.

"We'll look at giving him an entry in the Hong Kong Cup (G1) and the Hong Kong Vase (G1) at the international meeting in December," Moore said. "We'll see what the fields are like, the competition, and how the horse is, fitness-wise, leading into those races."

The Cup is run at 2,000 meters; the Vase, at 2,400. Both normally attract significantly tougher fields than Sunday's affair, with credentialed international competition.

The second win at the highest level also opens a chance for Werther to score a second Horse of the Year title. The sentimental favorite for the title remains Rapper Dragon, who suffered a fatal breakdown in the group 1 Champions Mile after becoming the first horse ever to sweep the Classic 4-Year-Old Series at Sha Tin.

Also on Sunday, South African riding phenom Callan Murray booted home 89-1 chance Lucky Year in the 1,200-meter (about six-furlong) Sha Tin Vase (G3). Murray, only a year out of the South African Jockey Academy, had a successful riding stint in Australia earlier in the season, returned home to ride three group 1 winners on a single card and now has winners at both Sha Tin and Happy Valley early on a temporary license in one of the most competitive international jurisdictions.

"I rang a few jockeys asking them to ride this horse but none of them wanted to ride him," said winning trainer Danny Shum. "Then I came across Callan. He worked hard to get his weight down and he really wanted the chance. I thought he would be a good fit … I could see him being here for a long time to come."

Murray, typically unassuming, said, "I can't believe it. How exciting is this? It's crazy. I didn't expect it so soon but I'm thrilled. What a way to break through at Sha Tin. I've been very fortunate."