Designs On Rome (133lbs) heads a line-up of champions in Sunday’s (5 October) HKG3 Celebration Cup at Sha Tin.
The reigning Horse of the Year tops the weights on his seasonal bow in the 1400m contest, which also features current Champion Miler Gold-Fun (130lbs) and Champion Stayer Dominant (128lbs), as well as California Memory (126lbs) and Blazing Speed (129lbs).
Karis Teetan takes the ride on John Moore’s stable star. The Mauritian was in the plate for Designs On Rome’s first two starts last term before handing the reins to Tommy Berry, who guided the four-year-old to major triumphs in the HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m).
“He did well last season and he took the off-season very well,” said Teetan, who is hoping to take his record on the horse to two wins from three starts. “He’s more mature and when I ride him he feels stronger, mentally especially. I think he’s still improving and still growing into himself. I rode him at the beginning of last season and sitting on him at work this season he feels much better again, he’s fresh and he’s stronger.”
“He hasn’t trialled and the 1400m will be sharp for him, so that’s a little concern as he’s a distance horse, but he’s fresh and he’s well. I gave him a piece of work from the 1800m start the other day and he really enjoyed it, so in himself, body-wise and health-wise, he’s really well,” said the rider, who has partnered the Holy Roman Emperor gelding in each of his last three pieces of fast work.
“His work has been very good and I’m sure he will run a good race,” he continued. “John has a bigger plan in front of him, so hopefully he can make a good start. He has the ability; he’s the highest rated horse. A lot depends on how fast they go, but he does have that last 400m burst, so he will always give you a kick in the straight.”
Blazing Speed claimed the first and last legs of the Hong Kong Triple Crown last term; the HKG1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) and the HKG1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m). Neil Callan was on board in the latter and the Irishman renews that partnership for the five-year-old’s seasonal return.
“He’s in great form. I haven’t sat on him much but I did follow him in his trial when Matthew (Chadwick) rode him and he seemed to trial really well,” said Callan of Tony Cruz’s charge. “Physically, looking at him, he looks like he’s done really well; he’s strengthened up and he actually looks more mature and more relaxed. He looks great, so I’m really looking forward to getting on him.
“He won the Stewards’ Cup last season over a mile, so he’s not short of speed and I’d say over 1400m they’re going to get along a bit. There are quite a lot of staying horses in this race, so if they go along at a good clip, if the pace gets chased up a bit and there are a few horses slightly undercooked, then you never know.”
Gold-Fun enjoyed a fantastic campaign in 2013/2014. Richard Gibson’s charge took this equivalent contest (then staged as the National Day Cup) first up last year, rattling off three straight wins before taking second in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, and subsequently claimed the HKG1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). Douglas Whyte’s mount makes his first start this term off the back of a fair trial on 19 September, when he was pushed along to finish fourth behind Amber Sky over 1000m.
Last year’s LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) victor, the Moore-trained Dominant, is another star stepping out for the first time this term, as is the Cruz-trained California Memory, twice winner of the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) and a former Champion Stayer.
Helene Spirit (127lbs) is a solid yardstick and was third to Gold-Fun in last season’s National Day Cup (1400m). The David Hall-trained Bubble Chic (117lbs) scored twice in HKG3 grade last season, at 1800m and 2400m.
The five-strong Moore contingent also includes the talented trio of Secret Sham (113lbs), Flagship Shine (122lbs) and Rewarding Hero (115lbs). Winning Leader (113lbs), from the Dennis Yip stable, and Tony Millard’s smart six-time course and distance winner Super Lifeline (113lbs) complete the 12-strong lineup.
The Celebration Cup (4.05pm) is race seven on Sunday’s 10-race card, which commences at 1pm with the Class 5 Merriment Handicap (1200m).
