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Rome overcomes Military Attack in Hong Kong Cup
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| Designs on Rome bested Military Attack in a battle of HK Horses of the Year
(Tomoya Moriuchi/Horsephotos.com) |
Cheng Keung Fai's Designs on Rome just got up to edge Military Attack in
Sunday's Group 1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin, in a virtual carbon-copy of the Queen
Elizabeth II Cup finish over the same course and distance back on April 27.
Rallying from last under Joao Moreira, the John Moore-trained favorite surged in
time to complete about 1 1/4 miles on the good to firm turf in 2:01 4/5.Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year, the Irish import became the second
straight Hong Kong Derby hero to double up in the Cup, following Akeed Mofeed in
2013. Designs on Rome also boasts a Hong Kong Classic Cup win over Sunday's Hong
Kong Mile romper, his stablemate Able Friend, who was likewise piloted by
Moreira.
"It's like dream come true," Moreira said. "Last year I wasn't able to be on
the game (while serving a suspension during the International Races) and this
year I'm on. I'm very glad of that. Obviously it's all about the good horses I
sat on top, and the support from connections.
"I had two rides on him before this race, and I learnt a lot about him, the
"Magic Man" added, alluding to an eighth in the October 26 Oriental
Watch Sha Tin Trophy and a fifth in the November 23 Jockey Club Cup.
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"We put it all together today and got the job done. I had to work hard but he
showed me how much ability he's got. He's such a good horse.
"He's the kind of horse you have to get going on early otherwise he's not
going to have enough time to catch up with them. I was able to turn for home not
too far off the leaders, and the leaders had gone quite hard. I just had to
challenge the horses in front of me, who were hard to get past, but he's proven
himself such a good horse and he's got the job done. He does have such a great
turn of foot. Military Attack was fighting towards the line, but he got there."
Military Attack, Hong Kong's prior Horse of the Year, ran a mighty race to
miss by a short head.
"My horse ran great, " jockey Zac Purton said, "but the winner's a very good
horse and there were no excuses. He just got us today."
Australian representative Criterion, who tracked the early pace set by
Designs on Rome's stablemate Same World, took command in the straight and fared
best of the internationals in third.
"He ran a super race," jockey Hugh Bowman said. "He raced much closer to the
speed which wasn't really by design but he began well, travelled wel, gave a
kick and was just run down by two good ones."
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| Joao Moreira accepts congratulations as Designs does his victory strut
(Hong Kong Jockey Club) |
"He was the first international home and he ran very well," said trainer
David Hayes, who had only taken over the colt's training last month. "If he'd
drawn in and got some cover early, who knows, he might have won. He raced to a
different pattern today and gave a great kick. I'm very happy."World-class French gelding Cirrus des Aigles passed a veterinary inspection
Sunday morning after having a problem in his left front foot Saturday. Yet the
eight-year-old's winless streak at Sha Tin continued, as he kept on for fourth
this time. Third in this race a year ago, Cirrus des Aigles was previously fifth
in 2011, seventh in 2010 and fifth in the 2009 Hong Kong Vase as a sophomore.
"He had a good trip and came by nicely to enter the last stretch but here, on
a ground that firm, he wouldn't give it all," trainer Corine Barande-Barbe said
of Sunday's effort. "He holds on but doesn't dare to pass that last gear that
usually makes a difference. It was the same last year. Too bad really. Yet he's
still in the frame and that's good. I don't know what is next for him but I
would suppose that Dubai remains the likeliest option."
Moore mentioned that Designs on Rome could also have Dubai on his 2015
agenda.
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"We had set him for this," Moore said, "and I said all week I was confident
he would peak for this race. Joao had him stoked up at the right time and he was
very tough. It was an excellent win and I'd be keen to campaign him overseas."
Bred by Moyglare Stud Farm in Ireland, Designs on Rome was unsold for $24,553
as a Goffs yearling. In his Irish career for Patrick Flynn, he was second to
Dawn Approach in the 2012 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes. The Hong Kong
superstar has now compiled a record of 18-7-4-2.
Designs on Rome is by Holy Roman Emperor and out of the Alleged mare Summer
Trysting, who is also responsible for Grade 2 winner Simple Exchange and
multiple Group 3 scorer Sights on Gold. Her other descendants include Irish
highweight older staying mare Fictional Account and recent St Leger Italiano
hero Rock of Romance.
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