Werther defeats Victory Magic in the Hong Kong Derbt
Trainer John Moore celebrated a second Derby quinella from the last three runnings, this time with the triumphant Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) and recurrent place-getter, Victory Magic (NZ) (Savabeel).
The Kiwi bred duo were both formerly trained in New Zealand, with Werther enjoying his formative years with Andrew Campbell, while Victory Magic, who raced as Atmosphere in New Zealand, was originally trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
"It's just amazing," said the trainer, after welcoming back his record-tying fifth Derby winner.
"We've pulled off the big one and we've pulled it off in a big way. I thought this was going to be a really close Derby, I didn't expect the margin to be what it was between second and third. I reckoned there'd be a length between four or five of them. But the result in the end was conclusive."
Werther and Victory Magic drew two and three quarter lengths clear of the field, with the late-closing Giovanni Canaletto staying on for third.
"The horses have peaked at the right time," continued Moore. "Werther did everything right leading into the race and the 2000 metres wasn't a worry, whereas it was to others. Victory Magic, we knew he was a prolific place-getter and he's run out of his shoes today. I thought he was going to run past when he really got into him in the straight."
Werther, already proven at beyond 2000m prior to his import from New Zealand, went into the four-year-old classic at his fourth Hong Kong start, having finished a narrow second behind Sun Jewellery in both the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile and HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) this year.
For winning rider Hugh Bowman, it was a standout moment in an already excellent career. "This is my first Group One winner outside of Australia and it gives me great pleasure that it's here in Hong Kong – it's the highlight of my career," he said.
Moore is now looking towards open company and the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the course and distance on 24 April, the same path he trod successfully with Designs On Rome.
The Kiwi bred duo were both formerly trained in New Zealand, with Werther enjoying his formative years with Andrew Campbell, while Victory Magic, who raced as Atmosphere in New Zealand, was originally trained by Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
"It's just amazing," said the trainer, after welcoming back his record-tying fifth Derby winner.
"We've pulled off the big one and we've pulled it off in a big way. I thought this was going to be a really close Derby, I didn't expect the margin to be what it was between second and third. I reckoned there'd be a length between four or five of them. But the result in the end was conclusive."
Werther and Victory Magic drew two and three quarter lengths clear of the field, with the late-closing Giovanni Canaletto staying on for third.
"The horses have peaked at the right time," continued Moore. "Werther did everything right leading into the race and the 2000 metres wasn't a worry, whereas it was to others. Victory Magic, we knew he was a prolific place-getter and he's run out of his shoes today. I thought he was going to run past when he really got into him in the straight."
Werther, already proven at beyond 2000m prior to his import from New Zealand, went into the four-year-old classic at his fourth Hong Kong start, having finished a narrow second behind Sun Jewellery in both the HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile and HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) this year.
For winning rider Hugh Bowman, it was a standout moment in an already excellent career. "This is my first Group One winner outside of Australia and it gives me great pleasure that it's here in Hong Kong – it's the highlight of my career," he said.
Moore is now looking towards open company and the G1 Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the course and distance on 24 April, the same path he trod successfully with Designs On Rome.