Werther
Werther posted arguably the most concrete HKG1 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) trial of any contender so far when a strong-closing, somewhat unfortunate, second to the laudable Sun Jewellery in last month's HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile. On Sunday (21 February) at Sha Tin, trainer John Moore's great hope will attempt to confirm that impression with victory in the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).
"Werther should have won the other day, in my opinion," said Moore. "It was smart riding by Ryan Moore on SunJewellery. He put him back inside and Werther had to loop back around then he came outside and finished off well."
Jockey Hugh Bowman found himself in an untimely pocket, took a rough bump on straightening for home and didn't find clear running until the 200m mark, by which point Sun Jewellery - re-opposing on Sunday - had quickened a length ahead of him. That was cut back to a neck at the post.
Moore is delighted with the former New Zealand galloper that finished second in both the G1 South Australian Derby (2500m) and G1 Queensland Derby (2200m) pre-import. Werther hit his stride immediately upon arriving in Hong Kong, winning first-up in a Class 2 handicap over 1600m in December before that Classic Mile second.
"After his work along the back straight on Monday (15 February) he was kicking his brand off, he was having a real buck, he's that well," said Moore, referencing the gelding's workout on the turf track, during which he clocked 57.2s (30.8 26.4) for 800m. "He's pulled up clean-winded and he's done what he needs to do, he'll just go out again on Friday morning but he won't do much.
"It's been said that you only need a good miler to win the Derby here in Hong Kong, well I haven't got a good miler I've got a good 1800/2000-metre horse! He'll hit the line really strongly."
And Moore believes the Tavistock gelding has what it takes to make the grade in the major open Group 1 races: "He's a decent acquisition and I think he's a horse that can go on after the Derby and compete in those Group 1 races like the QEII Cup. I think he might be one that could do Hong Kong proud."
"Werther should have won the other day, in my opinion," said Moore. "It was smart riding by Ryan Moore on SunJewellery. He put him back inside and Werther had to loop back around then he came outside and finished off well."
Jockey Hugh Bowman found himself in an untimely pocket, took a rough bump on straightening for home and didn't find clear running until the 200m mark, by which point Sun Jewellery - re-opposing on Sunday - had quickened a length ahead of him. That was cut back to a neck at the post.
Moore is delighted with the former New Zealand galloper that finished second in both the G1 South Australian Derby (2500m) and G1 Queensland Derby (2200m) pre-import. Werther hit his stride immediately upon arriving in Hong Kong, winning first-up in a Class 2 handicap over 1600m in December before that Classic Mile second.
"After his work along the back straight on Monday (15 February) he was kicking his brand off, he was having a real buck, he's that well," said Moore, referencing the gelding's workout on the turf track, during which he clocked 57.2s (30.8 26.4) for 800m. "He's pulled up clean-winded and he's done what he needs to do, he'll just go out again on Friday morning but he won't do much.
"It's been said that you only need a good miler to win the Derby here in Hong Kong, well I haven't got a good miler I've got a good 1800/2000-metre horse! He'll hit the line really strongly."
And Moore believes the Tavistock gelding has what it takes to make the grade in the major open Group 1 races: "He's a decent acquisition and I think he's a horse that can go on after the Derby and compete in those Group 1 races like the QEII Cup. I think he might be one that could do Hong Kong proud."