The one-time French based trainer Richard Gibson today combined with two visiting French jockeys to quinella the HKG2 Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin this afternoon (26 April) with Dundonnell and Gold-Fun.
Dundonnell, ridden by Stephane Pasquier, rallied late after a sweet run in transit to defy his front-running stablemate Gold-Fun – ridden by Olivier Peslier – by a length and a quarter with Smart Volatility three-quarters of a length back in third.
Gibson said he believed it was the first time he’d quinellaed a major race in Hong Kong. “We did go one, three in the Derby two years ago but I think this is a first one, two,” Gibson said in reference to the 2013 Hong Kong Derby he won with Akeed Mofeed, with today’s runner-up Gold-Fun in third place.
“It’s a big moment for us this season to run one, two here. It was another great performance from Gold-Fun. I was surprised to see him out in front but that was no fault of the jockey. He just jumped so well. In the end the five pounds, he gave to the winner, counted.
“Dundonnell was very good and given a great ride by Pasquier. The horse has had a brilliant season and the last thing I told the owner today was that I thought he could win,” Gibson said.
Gibson said he would not commit to any future plans on the spot. “You can’t decide these things immediately after a race but (Royal) Ascot would definitely be on the agenda for Gold-Fun. The owner will make the decision. Both horses would be good enough to go,” Gibson said.
Gold-Fun has been entered for the King’s Stand and Diamond Jubilee Stakes at the June Royal meeting in the UK.
Both Gibson sprinters began their careers overseas with Gold-Fun originally racing in Ireland and Dundonnell beginning his career in England.
The winning time was 1m 08.37s.
Gibson enjoyed a quick double as the four-year-old Giant Treasure won race nine, the Class 2 Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Handicap (1400m). The HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile victor Beauty Only ran on from the rear under Neil Callan to take second.
