Aussie pair take on the world

The world is ever shrinking under the weight of the technology revolution, but that fact of 21st century life has not ensured worldwide interest in the big international double at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Sunday – the $HK12 million Champions Mile and the $HK14 million Queen Elizabeth 2 Cup (2000m) – and has left 11 and 10 from a total of 478 entries, with Australia having two of the seven visiting horses.

The “always thereabouts” Niconero (B g 7, Danzero (Aus)-Nicola Lass (Aus), Scenic (Ire)), who has taken his Group 1 form and stamina to another level, will take on the world in the Cup after elite wins in the Gr. 1 Futurity Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield and in the Gr. 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington, and a credible fourth in the Gr.1 Dubai Duty Free (1770m) at Nad Al Sheba.    

After the Futurity win, trainer David Hayes said he had confiscated Niconero’s passport – the gelding had failed twice overseas, including the 2006 Champions Mile in Hong Kong – but the Australian Cup win brought a change of heart and the gelding responded well last month in Dubai. The former Hong Kong-based Craig Williams will ride the gelding.

The other visitors, especially Archipenko (B h 5, Kingmambo (USA)-Bound (USA), by Nijinsky (CAN)), who won the QE2 Cup last year for South African trainer Mike De Kock and his stable rider Kevin Shea, and Luca Cumani’s Presvis (B g 5, Sakhee (USA)-Forest Fire (SWE), by Never So Bold (IRE)), are expected to provide the most opposition to local favourite Viva Pataca (B/br g 7, Marju (IRE)-Comic (IRE), by Be My Chief (USA)), trained and ridden by the Hong Kong-based Australian combination, John Moore and Darren Beadman.

Moore and Beadman get together with Collection (B g 4, Peintre Celebre (USA)-Lasting Chance (USA), by American Chance (USA), considered the obvious local challenger to HK’s champion miler Good Ba Ba (B g 7, Lear Fan (USA)-Elle Mem (USA), by Zilzal (USA)) in the Mile. Dao Dao (Br g 5, Shinko Forest (Ire), a recent winner at Randwick is Australia’s rep for the Hawkes trio of trainers, John and his sons Michael and Wayne – Michael is the stable rep this trip.

Dao Dao, ridden by Beadman, won at the Listed Royal Parma Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on April 4 at his second start since a stint in Hong Kong – then, trained by John Size at Sha Tin, the gelding was a disappointing eighth of 10 behind Good Ba Ba in last year’s running of the Champions Mile. Australian Zac Purton rode him then; HK-based South African Weichong Marwing is on this time.

This was the race that was supposed to confirm the world reputation of reigning Australian horse of the year Weekend Hussler (B g 4, Hussonet (USA)-Weekend Beauty, by Helissio (FR)), but, with back problems, he was sent for a spell instead of setting out on the Asian Mile Challenge caravan, of which Hong Kong is the third leg.

The US has no runners at Sha Tin, nor has Japan, despite it hosting the final leg of the mile series, the Yasuda Kinen, in Tokyo in June. The Dubai leg was won by Gladiatorus (B h 4, Silic (Fr)-Gmaasha (Ire), by Kris (GB)), also not in Hong Kong. Alexandros (Kingmambo (USA)-Arlette (IRE), King Of Kings (IRE), third in Dubai, will run for Godolphin with its No.1 jockey Frankie Dettori aboard.

In both races, Australia’s horses are considered a place chance at best, although Beadman and Moore – and perhaps the other HK-based riders Purton and Brett Prebble, and trainer John Size, can fly the winning flag.

Just as importantly, the meeting offers further exposure to horses Australia might see in the spring – Moore has declared his Cox Plate interest with the exciting Collection, and Cumani, runner-up in the past two Melbourne Cups with Purple Moon and Bauer, will be in the spotlight with Dubai Duty Free runner-up Presvis. Even if this promising stayer doesn’t head to Melbourne, Cumani has declared his desire to try again at Flemington.

Beadman said Viva Pataca and Collection had strong form and were in good shape. “While Collection could have run in the QE2, it’s good that we can separate them,” he said. “The 2000m is Viva Pataca’s pet distance and, while he is a seven-year-old, he’s never really been taxed. John has really looked after him.”

Hong Kong Derby winner Collection is the new kid on the block. “He does look the real deal,” Beadman said. “He won the Derby (for four-year-olds) quite convincingly and had to defy his racing pattern to do it. He’s got a great turn of foot and can reel off some pretty good sectionals. 

“Still, the Derby was against his own age and there has to be some question mark running against the older horses, but you know he’s a good horse in the making.”

Beadman also is well placed to offer an opinion on Dao Dao in the Champions Mile, having ridden him at Rosehill. “I think he might be better in six months’ time, but he’s a beautiful horse and gave me a great feel when he won in Sydney. He can be competitive,” he said.

That said, Good Ba Ba, is an extraordinary miler on his home turf. Like Niconero, Dao Dao looks a place chance at best.