Perfect draws for Hong Kong Champions

Trainers and jockeys of three of Hong Kong's top chances in the CXHKIR - Ambitious Dragon in the Cup, Xtension in the Mile and Entrapment in the Sprint - could be forgiven for exchanging jubilant "high fives" after their charges each drew the "perfect" five gate at the barrier draws on Thursday. "Its a lovely gate. Perfect draw and from there I will have options." said Ambitious Dragon's jockey Douglas Whyte. "I'll go home and do a little more work on the race but I doubt that I'd ride him forward. I'm happy for him to settle and make use of his great turn of foot. He is one of the best horses I've ridden."

Whyte will also ride Entrapment and after the draw his confidence was high. "He's drawn the plum gate and his last run was very good. He's got to lift a touch to win it, but this draw certainly helps him." "Xtension is my major hope on Sunday," said trainer John Moore. "He has been absolutely primed for it; his work and his races leading up to it have been very positive and for that reason, from gate 5, I think he is the horse to beat in the race (Mile)."

But their joy was not shared by Ricky Yiu, trainer of former world champion sprinter Sacred Kingdom who drew 14, the widest barrier, for the Sprint.  "I'm a little bit disappointed. It's the widest draw, but what can you do? We will possibly drop him in anyway. He's fresh and well, so we'll see on Sunday."

Yiu might have gained a little consolation from the fact that two of his main Sprint rivals, Rocket Man (13) and Curren Chan (11) also faired poorly at the draw. "We wanted to draw five," said Akiko Suzuki, wife of the owner of Curren Chan, who was trying to be positive about the situation. "I think she does not want to be sandwiched, so gate 11 will be fine. Also, Rocket Man drew wider than us, which was good."

"Well it's not the gate we would have wanted obviously," said Rocket Man's trainer Patrick Shaw. "He'll go forward from there because that's what he does. I won't say I'm not fazed by the draw, but what can you do?" 

Here's how connections of other horses reacted to the barrier draw.

Edward Lynham, trainer Sole Power (Sprint, 8): "It could have been a lot worse. He needs to settle and 8 is a good spot for him to get cover."

Ippo Sameshima, trainer Pas de Trois (Sprint, 1): Inside would be preferable for us. I am happy with the draw. James Fanshawe, trainer Society Rock (Sprint, 2): I would rather be ingate than out wide, so have to be happy with that."

Roger Charlton, trainer Bated Breath (Sp;rint, 12): "Bated Breath was drawn wide in Canada and nearly overcame that, so we'll just have to see what happens." Brett Prebble, jockey Lucky Nine (sprint, 6): I just wanted him to draw a decent gate and he has, and I think he'll give this race a shake. I think the bouple to beat might be Little Bridge, as I'm sure they'll be delighted to have drtawn 3, and I respect the Japanese horse Curren Chan. I am more than happy with six."

Caspar Fownes, trainer Lucky Nine and Green Birdie (4): "They're both well drawn. I'm pleased with both of them. Lucky Nine had a slightly doubtful few weeks after coming back from Japan, but he's freshened up now and been working nicely."

Derek Cruz, trainer Joy And Fun (Sprint, 7): "That's a very good draw for him. I'm happy with it as it gives him the option of taking a more forward position than he's taken recently. I'm happy with the horse too. He's in very good form."

Hong Kong Mile

Rod Collet, trainer Sahpresa (8): I am happy with number 8. It’s better than number 9, which I picked last year. I seem to make some progress every year but I wish I was improving faster. I am told that 8 is a lucky number. Why don’t they give me the winner’s prize money straight away then?”

Tony Cruz, trainer Beauty Flash (10): “He always seems to be drawn wide, he won from 14 last year, so I’m not bothered by the 10 gate. He likes to lead and he has the speed to be up there and get it.” 

Thierry Jarnet, jockey Rajsaman (4): “Rajsaman is made for such contests as this. He can relax off the pace and finish well, just like he did here last year. Where he is drawn is irrelevant.” 

Sakae Kunieda, trainer Apapane (9): I wanted to take draw 7, but number 9 is close.  No worry about the draw.” 

Roger Charlton, trainer,Cityscape (12): “I can’t believe it. Up first in both races and I draw 12 both times! What are the chances of that?”

Caspar Fownes, trainer Fair Trade (3): “He’s had problems with his legs but he’s an absolute star. Now he’s well drawn we’ll keep our fingers crossed.”

John Bary, trainer Jimmy Choux (2): “I’m very happy with that gate. We can sit in behind the pace or he can do it from the front if that’s what his jockey wants. Jonathan (Riddell) knows him so well. That’s why he’s riding him. I’m very pleased with the horse. When he was alone in quarantine I was a bit worried but I was happy with him yesterday, and thrilled with him today.”

Hong Kong Cup, 2000m

Corine Barande-Barbe, trainer Cirrus des Aigles (2): “I asked her co-owner Jean-Claude Dupouy to draw himself because he’s a lucky man. Two years ago, Jean-Jacques (Poincelet, assistant trainer) got number 12 while last year, I got the 13 draw! We have a much better start here as there are only 10 runners and we got a good draw with the stall number 2.”

 Tony Cruz, trainer, California Memory (1) and Pure Champion (3)" “California Memory has a very good draw in 1. I’m very happy with that because we don’t lose ground at the start and we can settle him out the back. Pure Champion is in 3, so that’s good too. He will be sitting off the pace and can come with a run. I’m very happy with the horses.”

John Moore, trainer Irian (10): “Irian is drawn Gate 10 but he’s not a horse that likes to be hemmed in; he likes to get out a little wide of everybody, maybe three deep with cover. Darren Beadman reported after his gallop this morning that he’s peaking at the right time. We’re going into the race with a lot of confidence that we can finish in the first three.”

Hong Kong Vase, 2400m

John Hammond, trainer, Sarah Lynx (4): “I am happy with the draw, although it does not really matter on such a long trip. Sarah Lynx enjoys her travelling and seems to have settled well here. In Japan, she got bumped early on and found herself in a difficult position to come back against tough horses who never let go - she did her best. I think that the Japan Cup winner, Buena Vista, would be favourite here and that the Tokyo form could prove itself the best here.”

Brett Prebble, jockey Thumbs Up (1): “I’m happy to be drawn on the inside. We can take up a reasonably handy position from there. This horse is in top form and I have no doubt he’ll run 2400m.”

 Yasutoshi Ikee, trainer Trailblazer (8): “This is a two-lap race, and it is expected to be a slow pace, so I did not want to be boxed in on the rail.  Draw 8 is a perfect number. He handles things from any position and if he settles in a favourable position in the race, he must have a chance.”

 Thierry Jarnet, jockey Silver Pond (2): “I wish we’d drawn a wider position for Silver Pond in the Vase because he has got that long stride and he’s not the easiest horse to manoeuvre. He’s not a consistent galloper and can be rather awkward to drive.”

Charles Hills, trainer Redwood (12): “He’s in very good nick and his second to Rewilding shows how good he can be. He loves travelling and he had no luck in Canada last time where the ground turned soft on him which is not what he really wants. In the 2400m Vase I am not sure that the draw matters as much as luck in running. That draw should be no problem because he can be a bit slow away anyway.”