2011 Hong Kong International Races
Tour Review
Written by Ontrack Tour Host Grant Morgan
for Bluebloods.
Monday
19
December,
2011:
The Cathay Pacific Hong
Kong International Races at Sha Tin again proved to be a magnet for
Australian racing industry identities in 2012.
I again had the pleasure of hosting a great group of 51 guests on the annual
Ontrack Thoroughbreds HK International Racing Tour .
Whilst we weren’t represented on the racetrack this year, a strong
Australian contingent of racing officials, trainers, owners, breeders,
bloodstock agents, media personalities and racing enthusiasts again turned
up in droves for what has virtually become an end of year ‘break up’ party
for Aussies abroad.
Australian Racing Board duo Bob
Bentley and Andrew Harding were on hand in Hong Kong, as was soon to be
elected Racing NSW chair John Messara.
In the
training ranks, Peter Moody was on hand to survey a possible 2012 tilt for
wonder mare Black Caviar. Fellow Caulfield trainer and sidekick Mick Price
was a member of the 50 person strong Ontrack Thoroughbreds tour group which
also included now retired AFL legend and racing enthusiast Leigh Matthews.
Along with Matthews was Brisbane property tycoon David Devine. The pair
share ownership in boom young Queensland Snitzel two year-old Sizzling,
together with other Brisbane racing identities Nev Morgan and Mick Power who
were both also part of the Ontrack group. Well known Northern Territory
racing identity Viv Oldfield headed a good crew from the red centre aboard
the Ontrack tour.
A strong contingent was also hosted by Thoroughbred Racing Northern
Territory and The Darwin Turf Club in Hong Kong this year. Led by dynamic
Marketing Manager Pina Sommerville, the Darwin group got in plenty of
shopping and dining during race week in Hong Kong.
Whilst he had
no runners this year, Tony Noonan was again in tow with a tour group headed
by Sydney bloodstock agent Louis Mihalyka,
another regular jetsetter to all the international feature meetings.
Caulfield trainer Rick Hore-Lacy was a part of the VRC tour group headed by
General Manager of Membership Services Julian Sullivan.
Three Aussies
who made an impact in Hong Kong during their respective days were Peter
Miers, Brent Thomson and Johnny Jeffs. All three were back in town to renew
both local and overseas acquaintances. Miers of course was a trailblazer in
the saddle as one of the earlier Colonial riders to plunder the Hong Kong
riches. Brent ‘The Babe” Thomson followed Miers several years later to do
similar during his stellar and colourful international riding career. Miers
and Thomson now do battle on the Golf Course, both admittedly carrying wider
girths than their riding days. Johnny Jeff’s, an Australian pioneer of
racecourse management, formerly headed track management for the Royal Hong
Kong Jockey Club during the eighties. Now a regular face at the yearling
sales in Australasia, Jeff’s is a long time staffer for the Fleming families
Eliza Park and Tyreel Stud’s.
From the
bloodstock ranks, there were plenty of Aussies and Kiwi’s on hand too. From
New Zealand Bloodstock spotted in Hong Kong was Managing Director Andrew
Seabrook. William Inglis and Son was well represented by the widely
experienced Ian MacPherson. The Gold Coast Magic Millions outfit had CEO Vin
Cox and agent ‘Tubba’ Williams flying the flag.
Whilst
Australia lacked any direct representatives on the racetrack at Sha Tin this
year, much interest was carried by this years Melbourne Cup quinella of
Dunaden (FR) and Red Cadeaux (GB).
Both
gallopers had to drop back from 3200m to 2400m, a requirement which could
not be met by last years Cup victor Americain who finished fourth in the
2010 Hong Kong Vase.
In another demonstration the Melbourne Cup has been revitalised into a race
suited to fast 2400m gallopers, Dunaden confirmed his emergence as a high
class performer on the international stage by collecting the 2011 Hong Kong
Vase under Australian hoop Craig Williams.
Williams partnered Dunaden to a slick 2400m win in the Geelong Cup before
being forced onto the sidelines through suspension to watch his Melbourne
Cup victory with replacement rider Christoph Lemaire filling the void.
Full credit to Dunaden’s trainer Mikel Delzangles who had the six year-old
son of Nicobar (GB) looking in fine fettle at breakfast with the stars on
the Thursday morning prior to his Sunday assignment.
On race day
Dunaden proved too strong for his twelve rivals thanks to a faultless
Williams ride. He defeated local galloper Thumbs Up (NZ) (by Shinko King) by
three quarters of a length, whilst Red Cadeaux (by Cadeaux Genereux) and
Silver Pond (FR) (by Act One) dead heated for third a further three quarter
of a length away.
With Hong
Kong now behind us, the international focus will turn to the Dubai World Cup
meeting to be staged at Meydan in March 2012, before a large group of
Australians make the pilgrimage to Royal Ascot in June 2012.
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