QE2

[wendyll]

I'll be expecting a call from one of the trainers....
"The first-time inclusion of the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup into the World Series Racing Championship, allied with a 40% increase in prize-money from last year to HK$14 million, has had a tremendous effect on the quality of overseas nominations for this 2000-metre Group 1 to be staged at Sha Tin on April 21.
Early nominations are of unprecedented strength: the close of the first entry stage counted a total of 22 individual Group 1 winners from ten countries including champions from several regions and 15 horses rated 115 or higher on the international scale.
"We are very pleased with the positive response the race has once again received," Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Jockey Club's Executive Director of Racing said. "Owners and trainers that were here for the International Races are keen to come back - five out of the first six home in last December's Hong Kong Cup, for example, hold entries. And there are plenty of exciting new names on the list. The early signs are that a fantastic race is in store."
Val Royal is highest-rated of the early nominations. Last year's Breeders' Cup Mile (Gr.1-1600m) winner in a record-breaking time at Belmont Park, Val Royal met with a training setback just before he was set to ship to Sha Tin for the Hong Kong Cup. He turned in an encouraging return to the racetrack in the Kilroe Mile (Gr.2-1600m) at Santa Anita on March 2.
Irish Prize and With Anticipation may bolster the American assault on the AP QEII Cup. The former finished fourth past the post behind Val Royal last year subsequent to taking out the Shoemaker Breeders' Cup Mile Stakes (Gr.1-1600m) last May while With Anticipation was the leading stayer on turf in the United States in 2001 thanks to Grade 1 successes over 2200m and 2400m.
Eishin Preston and Agnes Digital, so impressive when victorious for Japan in the Hong Kong Mile and Cup respectively last December, are on course to return to the scene of their finest victories. Connections of both horses have the added incentive of a HK$1 million bonus open to whoever can add this race to success at the International Races.
Eishin Preston is second highest of all the entries for this event, while Agnes Digital, the JRA's Champion Older Horse in 2001, demonstrated his well-being with a seasonal comeback success in the February Stakes (JpnGr.1-1600m), his fifth consecutive victory.
Northerly, the Australian champion, Cox Plate (Gr.1-2000m) winner and the highest-rated Australian-trained horse in the International Classifications 2001, heads the Southern Hemisphere contingent. Also there is New Zealand's marvellous mare Sunline, eleven-times a Group 1 winner and hardly in need of introduction to racing fans the world over. Universal Prince, last year's AJC Australian Derby (Gr.1-2400m) hero and the recent winner of the Ranvet Stakes (Gr.1-2000m) and La Bella Dama, successful in the Mackinnon Stakes (Gr.1-2000m) last year, are other eminent entrants.
Another year, another major international race in Hong Kong with Jim And Tonic spearheading the European challenge. Amazingly, next month's race will be the famous French gelding's eighth here since 1998 and he has only finished out of the frame once. Other notable French nominations include Terre A Terre, half a length third at odds of 33/1 behind Agnes Digital in the Hong Kong Cup following on from victory in the Prix de l'Opera (Gr.1-2000m) at the Arc meeting, and Okawango, a Grand Criterium (Gr.1-1600m) winner as a juvenile and close one-length fourth in the French Derby (Gr.1-2400m) last June for trainer Criquette Head-Maarek.
Germany triumphed in this event last year thanks to the grit of Silvano and the 2001 Deutsches Derby (Gr.1-2400m) winner Boreal and Paolini, already twice a winner at the highest level, will attempt to make it a second successive win for the Germans. Both of these contenders finished runner-up in World Series races last season. Boreal finished 1? lengths behind Morshdi in the Grosser Preis von Baden (Gr.1-2400m) and Paolini, like Silvano trained by Andreas Wohler, found Mutamam half a length too good in the Canadian International (Gr.1-2400m).
Hawkeye, is the highest-rated British-based contender. He ran an excellent race to finish a length fourth in the Hong Kong Cup on his first start since being bought from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stables by owner Gary Tanaka. He has finished third and fourth twice in his last four starts - all at Group One level.
Horses trained in the United Arab Emirates won this race in 1995 and 1996 when it was first opened to international runners and Grandera and Ekraar, both owned by Godolphin and trained by Saeed bin Suroor, appear as the principal chances from Dubai at this early stage. Grandera was placed in three Group 1s last summer including a half-length third in the French Derby and runner-up by the same margin in the Eclipse Stakes. Ekraar, meanwhile, may return to the track where he all but won the Hong Kong Vase (Gr.1-2400m) last December when he poached four lengths out of the field on the home turn only to be foiled by Stay Gold in the final strides.
Another entrant of note is Saddle Up, sixth in the Hong Kong Cup and a multiple Group 1 winner in India. He is now trained in Singapore."

[Homer J.]

Hope they call you, but it won't be to offer anything but their best wishes.
As for the race. This could end up being the race of the year if we get the top Japanese horses plus the good Yanks to compete.
Some classy Aussie horses entered as well. Will be a great test for Olympic Express if he lines up.
Could also be the last time we see Jim And Tonic. They should have a statue of him at Sha Tin.

[corkey boy]

If most of those noms get here it will be a massive event. Olympic Express would make it very interesting but I hope that everything goes ok as our last two Derby Winners competed in the QEII and went astray afterwards.
I've got no doubt Jim And Tonic and those other F.Doumond runners will make the trip and it wouldn't surprise me if they give the Japanese a run for their money. Remember they arrived in HK for te Internationals a day late and missed a gallop but were still very competitive.

[shapke]

Never mind a statue - the promotions dept at HKJC wants to have Jim And Tonic stuffed and mounted at Sha Tin. Actually, they wanted to do the same with Basil Marcus, but he is too swift on his feet.
________
Zoloft Injury Lawyer (http://www.classactionsettlements.org/lawsuit/zoloft/)

[imaufo]

Ill tell you which horses will make it interesting...the whole damn lot! ( but Agnes and Eishon Preston to shine)

[Monty Burns]

Sunline and Shogun Lodge will be missing, but Australia has a good horse still in the race.
Leading Sydney trainer Bede Murray says his champion, Universal Prince, is "all systems go" for his attempt on Hong Kong's AP QE II Cup at Sha Tin on April 21.
At his most recent start on March 23, Universal Prince was narrowly beaten into second place behind Caulfield-Melbourne Cups double winner Ethereal in the Group 1, $A1 million (about HK$4m) The BMW over 2400 metres at Rosehill.
"The horse pulled up well from that race and has done well since. Everything's in order for Hong Kong. We're really looking forward to it," said Murray. His charge is booked to fly out for Hong Kong next Monday, April 8.
After Hong Kong, Murray intends to continue the four-year-old's campaign through to Singapore where he will contest the Singapore Gold Cup on May 13.
The trainer is hopeful success in Asia will further erase the disappointment of his horses finishing second in the two major races held at the March 23 meeting in Sydney. "It was still a great day - it just could have been better," he said.
Not only was Universal Prince beaten in a photo finish to The BMW, but also the Murray-trained filly Victory Vein was beaten a long head in the Golden Slipper, which - with prize money of $A 2.5 million - is the world's richest race for two-year-olds. Victory Vein went on to win the Group one Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick on Monday (April 1).
Universal Prince, a four-year-old by Scenic, has won seven of his 25 starts and $A2.7 million in stakes. The winner of the Australian Derby, he was rated the top three-year-old distance horse in Australia for the 2000-2001 season.
He goes to Hong Kong in peak form. He won the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at the AP QE II Cup distance of 2000m on March 9 at only his second run this campaign. This was followed by his 2400m second to Ethereal.
The horse has a powerful finishing burst and is best suited on big, spacious tracks. "By all reports, Sha Tin should be the perfect track for him," Murray said.

[Monty Burns]

The Audemars Piguet QE II Cup at Sha Tin cannot come quick enough for French trainer Francois Doumen, who will be represented in the HK$14 million second leg of the World Series by Jim And Tonic, his globetrotting gelding who is having his fourth run in the race.
"Cocktail" as the evergreen eight-year-old has been fondly nicknamed by his Sha Tin fan club, heads back to Hong Kong after a rare low-key performance on his last international assignment in Dubai.
That five lengths seventh to Terre A Terre on paper suggested perhaps that Jim And Tonic's advancing years were beginning to catch up with him.
However, Doumen has little time for that theory and compelling evidence to support his case has come to light since Nad Al Sheba.
"We found that Jim And Tonic raced with a displaced vertebrae. That and the fact that he was short of top condition after general health problems over the winter meant he was not in top condition. We've sorted out the vertebrae problem and I think you'll be seeing a different horse in Hong Kong", Doumen said.
Jim And Tonic has a record second to none in the Audemars Piguet QE II, winning it in 1999, and following that with seconds to Industrialist and Silvano.
Doumen was speaking at the Normandy farm of his training operation, adjacent to the stud run by his wife Elizabeth and birthplace to the horse that holds the European prize money record - Jim And Tonic's current bank balance is about ￡3.5 million (about HK$39.2m).
On the subject of Jim And Tonic's retirement Doumen said: "When the time comes I have a golden paddock waiting for him. He will tell us when it is time to retire and I won't let anything serious happen to him. He has been a marvelous servant."
France could be doubly represented in the AP QE II with Jim And Tonic joined by December's Hong Kong Cup third Terre A Terre. The participation of one of the best race mares in the world rests on her powers of recuperation from Dubai.
"I want to run her, it all depends on how she comes out of the Dubai race," Eric Libaud, who trains the dual Group One winner, said.
Libaud has enormous faith in the daughter of Kaldounevees, but even he was pleasantly surprised by her brilliance in the Dubai Duty Free under Christophe Soumillon. And there could be better to come. "She was fully prepared for the Duty Free but even so, it was her first run of the season."

[Tony Soprano]

Form comments for newly selected horses
With Anticipation (USA) gr h 1995
Relaunch (USA) - Fran's Valentine (USA) (Saros (GB))
Trainer: Jonathan Sheppard
Owner: Augustin Stable
Current International Rating: 120
With Anticipation was America's leading stayer on turf last year thanks to Grade 1 successes over 2200m and 2400m. His win in the Man o' War Stakes (Gr.1-2200m) at Belmont Park last September from international stars Silvano and Ela Athena followed up victory in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap over 2400m on good going. Prior to these wins, he had crossed the wire first in the United Nations Handicap (Gr.1-2200m), but was disqualified and placed second for interference. He tried to make all in the Breeders' Cup Turf (Gr.1-2400m) but finished in seventh place and was hampered at a critical stage of the Japan Cup (Gr.1-2400m) before passing the post in ninth position. Began the current campaign with a fast-finishing ? length second in a 1000m Allowance Race despite running wide off the Gulfstream Park home turn.
Lethals Lady (GB) b f 1998
Rudimentary (USA) - Madiyla (GB) (Darshaan (GB))
Trainer: Robert Collet
Owner: Ecurie Vallin
Current International Rating: 117
Smart French-trained filly who, despite only two career wins registered (one in a Listed Race in France), came within a ? length of winning the French 1000 Guineas (Gr.1-1600m) last year, finishing 3rd. She thereafter competed in Group 1 and Group 2 events in France and England with 4th place the best outcome. In November she shipped to California for the Matriarch Stakes (Gr.1-1800m) for fillies and mares and found only Starine 2? lengths too good. On March 1 Lethals Lady contested the valuable Singapore Classic (Gr.3-1800m) and again had to settle for second best, as Palace Line beat her by 2? lengths. Last time out she was a close fifth behind Bedawin and ?l behind fellow French challenger Okawango in the Prix Edmond Blanc (Gr.3-1600m). Has yet race over 2000m but is effective on any surface.
Okawango (USA) b c 1998
Kingmambo (USA) - Krissante (USA) (Kris (GB))
Trainer: Christiane Head
Owner: Wertheimer Brothers
Current International Rating: 115
Confirmed himself a top class juvenile with victory in the Group 1 Grand Criterium (1600m) in addition to two other wins at two including the Prix la Rochette (Gr.3-1600m). Okawango drew a blank last year although he finished a close fourth in both the French 2000 Guineas (Gr.1-1600m - beaten 2 lengths but finished 1? lengths ahead of subsequent dual Group 1 winner Black Minnaloushe) and the French Derby (Gr.1-2400m - beaten 1 length but finishing ahead of subsequent Classic winner and Breeders' Cup Turf (Gr.1-2400m) runner-up Milan.) Training problems have kept him off the track from last June until this week when he made an encouraging return in the Prix Edmond Blanc (Gr.3-1600m) finishing 1? lengths second to Bedawin.
Indigenous (IRE) br g 1993
Marju (IRE) - Sea Port (IRE) (Averof (IRE))
Trainer: Ivan Allan
Owner: Mr & Mrs Pang Yuen-hing
Current International Rating: 109
Former Horse of the Year in Hong Kong and very reliable international campaigner, but is now nine and is not the force of old. Amazingly, this is his sixth straight attempt to win this race - he finished third to Silvano last year, fourth in 1998 and 2000, second in 1999 and was unplaced in 1997. Is without a win since March 1999 though it should be said that he has frequently found himself conceding lumps of weight to his rivals over distances short of ideal. Ran well to finish seventh in the Japan Cup (Gr.1-2400m) in November and followed this up with a good third in the Hong Kong Vase, 6? lengths behind Stay Gold. Uncharacteristically finished down the field in the Chairman's Trophy (HKGr.2-1600m) last time out.
Rainbow And Gold (USA) ch g 1997
Gulch (USA) - Weekend Storm (USA) (Storm Bird (FR))
Trainer: Brian P C Kan
Owner: Hui Chun-fui
Current International Rating: 102
Raced as Garcia Marquez in Ireland where his only win was a maiden although he was smart enough on his debut to be beaten just a length and a half by dual Derby and Arc winner Sinndar. Took him a while to get the hang of things in Hong Kong but has since blossomed into a very useful stayer with the potential to go right to the top of that category. Had no trouble winning the Queen Mother's Cup (HKGr.2-2400m) last June and left some below-par efforts behind this season when he narrowly won the Centenary Vase (HKGr.3-2000m) on February 2 before finishing sixth in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (HKGr.1-2000m) later that month.

[Tony Soprano]

Field as it stands:
Agnes Digital
Cheers Hong Kong
Eishin Preston
Grandera (IRE)
Helene Vitality
Indigenous
Industrial Pioneer
Jim And Tonic (FR)
Lethals Lady (GB)
Okawango (FR)
Olympic Express
Rainbow And Gold
Universal Prince (AUS)
With Anticipation (USA)

[baldric]

Guess it's still a good field. The Japanese horses will ensure that. But a shame (and no surprise) we lost five of the stars from JC's original line-up. Smoke and mirrors PR work from the JC. And seems as if USA mustn't give a bugger about the race. It's only runner is a 7-year-old.

[hobbes]

alan aitken SCMP 9/04/02
Hayes raised a few eyebrows with his decision to take Helene Vitality to Dubai for the Sheema Classic but the move paid off in a big way as the stayer finished runner-up at long odds to classy Nayef in the international Group Two event.
Helene Vitality - one of six local horses invited to start in the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup on April 21 - comes out of quarantine today following his return from Dubai, but Hayes said he could not yet confirm a run in the second leg of the World Series for the son of Zabeel.
"Of course, it would be great to run, but I have been a bit concerned about whether the QE II Cup comes up just a bit soon for him after travelling to and from Dubai, with a race against top-class opposition thrown in," Hayes said.
"Helene Vitality will be out for trackwork [this morning] and I'll be watching very closely for any signs that anything is not quite right after the travelling. The race is still almost two weeks away so we can monitor what he does between now and then and have time to make the right decision," said Hayes.
"Provided the horse is doing everything right, he will run, but I won't be making a final decision on him until as close to the deadline as I possibly can."
If Helene Vitality misses the QE II Cup, Hayes said he would switch his next target to the ING Champions & Chater Cup at Helene Vitality's pet 2,400-metre distance on May 19.
Universal Prince, the Australian runner in the QE II Cup, was due to arrive in the early hours of this morning as the first overseas raider, accompanied by his regular trackwork rider, Colin Davies.
A last-start second to New Zealand's champion staying mare Ethereal over 2,400 metres at Rosehill, Universal Prince travelled without a hitch to Melbourne last Friday. The four-time Group One winner worked well at Flemington racecourse on Saturday morning and Paul Murray, son of the horse's trainer, Bede, reported "all systems go" for the Hong Kong tilt.
The next overseas challengers to arrive will be the Japanese-trained Hong Kong Cup winner Agnes Digital, on Thursday evening, followed by Godolphin runner Grandera on Friday.

[Horny Harry]

Looks like the old fella is out..never mind it will still be great to watch Agnes Digital go around at breakfast with the stars this week.
Jim And Tonic, one of the most popular international horses to ever race in Hong Kong, will not run in the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday week.
After finishing seventh in the Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba last month, a race he won last year, Jim And Tonic’s trainer Francois Doumen has decided to miss the rich Hong Kong race.
According to a report in the Racing Post Doumen said of the eight-year old Jim And Tonic, “He's not really 100% for the moment and I want him spot on so we will bypass Hong Kong and wait for the Singapore Cup at Kranji next month. “During the winter, Jim and Tonic had general health problems but nothing in particular. I just want to give him a little more time before his next race.�
Lethals Lady (Davy Bonilla) and Okawango (Olivier Doleuze) have been left as the two French representatives in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

[hobbes]

Saturday, April 13, 2002 RACING
Pioneer's fine - 'mechanic' Kan
ALAN AITKEN
Champion trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee yesterday dismissed suggestions that his Hong Kong Gold Cup winner Industrial Pioneer would be another topline withdrawal from tomorrow week's $14 million Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
Jockey Gerald Mosse said he was unhappy with Industrial Pioneer's action yesterday in training, putting a new cloud over the QE II Cup lineup, even as the Jockey Club announced the David Oughton-trained pair, Precision and Idol, as the two new Hong Kong representatives to replace Jim And Tonic and With Anticipation, the latest big-name scratchings.
But Kan was quick to dispel widespread talk following Industrial Pioneer's workout. "There is no problem," he said. "My horse is fine, but everybody likes to talk. Maybe they don't like my horse. Maybe they just don't want me to run. My jockey said the horse's action doesn't feel good but I told him, 'You are just the driver, I am the mechanic. There is nothing wrong'."
Kan said the five-year-old's forelegs were bandaged after his workout but this is standard procedure with the gelding. "I always bandage the legs after the gallops, just to be careful, nothing new."
Industrial Pioneer missed most of the first three months of this season with a leg injury, but the 2001 Derby winner has returned with a vengeance in 2002, running to his very best last time to beat subsequent Dubai Sheema Classic runner-up Helene Vitality in the Gold Cup.
Another withdrawal would be a huge blow for the Jockey Club, which had seen major defections in Sunline, Shogun Lodge, Terre A Terre, Hawkeye and Sarafan before Jim And Tonic and With Anticipation were added to the list. But Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Jockey Club's director of racing, said the addition of Idol and, in particular, Precision would give a better guide to Hong Kong's standards.
"We already have the Derby winner, Olympic Express, in the field and now the Derby runner-up as well," he said. "It is always exciting when the young, up-and-coming horses tackle top competition at the international level for the first time and this will be a good test of our standards."
Peter Ng Bik-kuen's Dashing Winner, who finished third in the Derby, has been placed on standby to join the field, but Ng indicated he had other priorities. "I have nine winners this season and I have to get 12 to qualify for my licence, so I want to run him where he can win," Ng said.
"Dashing Winner is in a Class One race next Wednesday, which he will find a bit easier. It is too early to say he definitely will not run in the Cup if he is invited, but it will depend on the horse. I plan to run him on Wednesday and then, if he is not too tired, I could think about it."
Engelbrecht-Bresges said the Club had received an apologetic letter from trainer Francois Doumen over the late withdrawal of Jim And Tonic, who won the QE II Cup in 1999 and finished second in the past two runnings. Doumen had given assurances that all was well with Jim And Tonic until his defection on Thursday.
"Monsieur Doumen offered us another horse as a replacement, but it was not of the required standard and we rejected it," Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "He has written to us to say he hopes the matter has not damaged the good relationship he has with the Club. It's not a big thing, but we would like trainers to be a little more up front with us."
Meanwhile, Kan and Mosse also had a run-in at trackwork yesterday over the French rider piloting a John Size-trained horse in the barrier trials without having consulted Kan."I want to protect my owner," Kan said. "Who is going to pay if something happens and he gets hurt? My owners pay for him. He booked himself for another trainer and didn't say anything to me."
seems to me kan has lost the plot a little -- reminiscent of bob moore.

[SlimChance]

QEII seems to be losing status all the time....arguably not G1 now! :(

[Homer J.]

APQEII Cup News : Tracknotes (15-04-2002)
15 April 2002
Five of the six international challengers for the HK$ 14 million Audemars Piguet QE II Cup, the second leg of the World Series Racing Championship, were out on the track for light exercise on Monday morning. The sixth overseas contestant - Eishin Preston from Japan - is scheduled to arrive at Sha Tin on Tuesday.
The 2001 JRA Champion Older Horse Agnes Digital appeared on the track at 8:45 this morning and had an easy canter on the all-weather surface under his regular work-rider Mr. Shirasaka. According to Shirasaka the 5-y-o horse had no problems at all during his long trip from Dubai. " Since Agnes Digital has arrived here his condition has improved a lot, he has been eating well. And his performance in today's track-work was satisfactory," said Shirasaka. Agnes Digital will have a fast breeze on Thursday for his trainer Toshiaki Shirai, who arrives in Hong Kong on Wednesday 17th.
The Criquette Head-Maarek-trained Okawango and Robert Collet's Lethals Lady, the French representatives, had a light canter together on the all-weather surface under their regular work riders Bruno Poirier and Edouard Bizeau respectively.
Travelling head lad Jean-Pierre Mallet said of Okawango: "He seems in good form and the trip over here went well. He needed his run in the Prix Edmond Blanc at Saint-Cloud and I hope that he will come on from there. His trainer arrives on Wednesday and he will probably do a final piece of work later in the week."
Minutes later Godolphin's Grandera, the big race mount of Frankie Dettori, was out on the track accompanied by a lead horse for a gentle canter under his workrider John Phelan. Grandera was equipped with blinkers for his morning exercise with Godolphin's travelling head lad Ross Campbell commenting: "That is not unusual. He wears them every day in Dubai. We have not had this horse long and he has just had the one start for us at Nad Al Sheba, where he finished an unlucky second in a race that was run at a muddling pace. He appears well so we will see what happens."
Australian challenger Universal Prince, who has been in Sha Tin for a week, completed two circuits of the all-weather tracks moving very fluently.
David Hayes, trainer of local hope, Helene Vitality who put up an outstanding performance to finish second to Nayef in the Dubai Shema Classic. " He is in good form and has come out of his quarantine very well. Coming back in trip from 2400 metres is not ideal but I think he will still finish in the money."

[tunginbum]

Tuesday, April 16, 2002
RACING
Kan blames media for withdrawal of Industrial Pioneer
ALAN AITKEN
Prev. Story | Next Story
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Taking a swipe: Brian Kan
Champion trainer Brian Kan Ping-chee yesterday withdrew Industrial Pioneer from Sunday's $14 million Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin - and then pinned the blame on the media for his decision to bypass the prestigious Group One contest.
"There is nothing wrong with the horse. He worked on Friday, he worked on Saturday and he worked this morning. He is a sound horse," Kan said. "But my owner has read in the newspaper that the jockey is not happy with Industrial Pioneer's action and that leaves me in an impossible situation. If the horse is beaten in the QE II Cup, my owner will believe he had a problem and be very unhappy that I ran the horse."
Industrial Pioneer, the 2001 Derby victor and winner of the Hong Kong Gold Cup on his last start, became the subject of rumours about his well-being after trackwork on Friday. Kan again denied any problem yesterday, but took a swipe at the racing media, criticising the reporting of comments by stable jockey Gerald Mosse, who remarked that Industrial Pioneer did not feel right in Friday's exercise. "Even if you hear the jockey say it, there is no reason to write a story about that," Kan said testily.
Dashing Winner, third behind Olympic Express and Precision in this year's Derby, has been promoted to take Industrial Pioneer's place in the field, but is not a certain runner. Rebel Leader is the new reserve.
Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, the Jockey Club's director of racing, confirmed that Industrial Pioneer had joined the list of leading horses who would miss the QE II Cup, but said the Club had neither asked for nor been given any reason.
"Obviously, this is disappointing for the Jockey Club as Industrial Pioneer is an established Group One horse and he looked one of the strongest weapons for a local win," Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "Brian Kan has withdrawn Industrial Pioneer for his own reasons. We respect the right of any owner or trainer to scratch their horse for whatever their reason may be."
With Industrial Pioneer out, Gerald Mosse may be left without a leading ride. He partnered the David Hayes-trained Helene Vitality for second place in last month's Dubai Sheema Classic, but Hayes confirmed yesterday that Dwayne Dunn, who missed the Dubai ride through suspension, had been booked to ride the stayer on Sunday.
The addition of Dashing Winner to the field means that all three 2002 Hong Kong Derby placegetters are now included in the QE II Cup line-up, but there is no certainty Peter Ng Bik-kuen's four-year-old will be there on the day.
Dashing Winner is a runner in the Class One event at Happy Valley tomorrow night and Ng has declared that race his priority. Ng still needs another three winners this term to meet the Jockey Club's performance criteria and stated clearly last week that he preferred to run Dashing Winner in the race he thought he could win.
"Peter is quite right to be looking out for this and we respect that," Engelbrecht-Bresges said. "However, the horse is now in the field if he wishes to run him."
The Geoff Lane-trained Rebel Leader has been installed as the first reserve for the Cup and the Jockey Club will attempt to resolve his position early.
"We have until Friday to work it out, but in fairness to the owners of Rebel Leader we want to take a proactive approach with this and try to have it cleared up on Thursday," Engelbrecht-Bresges said.
"There will be a special vet examination of Dashing Winner on Thursday morning to make sure of his health after running the night before. Then we will talk to Peter Ng to see if he wants to run the horse again so quickly."

[tunginbum]

APQEII Cup News : Audemars Piguet QE II Cup hopes please on the work tracks
16 April 2002
Universal Prince, the Bede Murray-trained challenger from Australia for Sunday's HK$14 million Audemars Piguet QE II Cup, the second leg of the World Series Racing Championship, was out on the turf track at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning with his trainer on hand to supervise his final preparations for the weekend showpiece.
The 2001 AJC Australian Derby winner with big race rider Justin Sheehan aboard did a half-speed workout that pleased connections.
"He has settled in very well," Murray said. "He makes himself feel at
Lethals Lady took a keen hold of her rider on Tuesday morning.
home wherever he is. He has a great constitution and temperament and nothing bothers him. He shipped well and he put all his weight back on within 48 hours of getting here. Depending on what Justin says, he will do one more piece of work before the race."
French challengers Okawango and Lethals Lady were again seen out on the all-weather track. Okawango did a steady canter while the Robert Collet-trained filly took a keen hold under her work rider over about 1400 metres.
"She's in good form and I think she is better now than she was in Singapore (where she finished second in the Group 3 Singapore Classic)." Collet's travelling head lad Jean Lauguere said.
Lead horse Atlantis Prince again accompanied
Grandera is normally equipped with blinkers in his morning work.
Godolphin's Grandera, ridden by John Phelan, through a gentle canter on the all-weather.
The Toshiaki Shirai-trained 2001 Hong Kong Cup champion Agnes Digital was given an easy canter over two circuits of the all-weather track under exercise rider Mr Shirasaka.
The five-year-old's groom, Mr Inoue, said: "
He is still eating up very well and he is in top form. The flight from Japan to Dubai (where he disappointed in the Dubai World Cup) was held over en route in Hong Kong for six hours because of mechanical problems so the horse arrived there tired and stressed.
Agnes Digital looks marvellous in his Tuesday's gallop.
"However, the trip from Dubai to Hong Kong was very smooth. It took about six hours to get here. Agnes Digital will have an easy canter tomorrow morning."
Eishin Preston, the dazzling Hong Kong Mile winner at December's International Races, left the quarantine facility at the Miho Training Centre outside Tokyo at 5am and was scheduled to arrive at Chek Lap Kok airport on Tuesday afternoon.
On the local scene, Brian Kan's Industrial Pioneer was withdrawn on Monday and has been replaced by the reserve Dashing Winner, trained by Peter Ng, who finished third in last month's Hong Kong Derby.
Kan, however, is still represented by Rainbow And Gold, to be ridden by Gerald Mosse. The Geoff Lane-trained Rebel Leader is now on standby as reserve.
Trainer David Oughton said Precision and Idol, two of Hong Kong's hopes for the big race, worked on the turf track this morning and he was pleased with their performance.
"They are fine. I think Idol is better at this time of year, while Precision has possibly levelled out a bit for the season. If both finish better than midfield on Sunday, I will be delighted," Oughton said.
Simon Yim will ride Precision, runner-up in the Hong Kong Derby, while Craig Williams comes in for the mount on Idol.
Elsewhere, David Hayes was pleased with Helene Vitality's gallop on the turf track under race rider Dwayne Dunn, and champion jockey Douglas Whyte put Cheers Hong Kong through his paces satisfactorily on the all-weather.

[cheesebeast]

APQEII Cup News : Still better to come from Okawango, says Doleuze
13 April 2002
When Olivier Doleuze slipped in to Hong Kong last winter he was able to walk around Sha Tin or Happy Valley unnoticed, without the slightest danger of anyone troubling him for his autograph.
A few months on, with an astonishing 26 winners under his belt for a strike rate of just under 20 per cent, it was a different story.
Much of his success was supplied by Derek Cruz, but in the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup Olivier teams up with Okawango, prepared for the race by his boss, French racing's first lady Criquette Head-Maarek.
The horse flew into Hong Kong at dawn on Friday and his handlers reported that he travelled well and arrived in good shape. He is to be given a quiet few days until his trainer arrives on Wednesday.
"It's hard for me to believe the success I had in Hong Kong over the winter, Olivier said. "I fell in love with racing in Hong Kong - it's crazy! I had an unbelievable three months."
The black-haired Frenchman, who is a popular figure in French weighing rooms, believes he has a real chance of lifting the second leg of the World Series with the colt who was rated the best in France as a two-year-old.
That high standing was due largely to his win in the Grand Criterium on his final outing as a juvenile, yet the son of Kingmambo was unable to build on that as a three-year-old last year.
After a close-up fourth behind Anabaa Blue in the French Derby he disappointed in the Grand Prix de Paris, and was tucked away for the remainder of the year.
Returning after a nine-month absence, he caught the eye on his four-year-old debut in the Group Three Prix Edmond Blanc at Saint-Cloud in April.
Over an inadequate one mile trip and with so many cobwebs to blow away he put up a stout performance to go down by a length and a half to the Francois Doumen-trained Bedawin.
That was enough to book his ticket to Sha Tin, with Doleuze optimistic that we will see the old Okawango on April 21.
"I think Okawango will be really well suited by the profile of the track at Sha Tin," he said. "He has run his best races going right-handed at Longchamp or Chantilly, and the faster the pace the better for him.
"He is a horse that has a great finish in him. Also, the 10 furlong trip is probably ideal - he found the mile the other day a little short.
"When you consider he was coming back from such a long lay-off, he did very well - and there's better to come!"
Doleuze would dearly love to pull the AP QE II off for his Chantilly-based stable in the colours of the yard's chief supporters, the Wertheimer brothers of Chanel fame. Can he scent victory?
"Olympic Express looks very smart, but it'll be hard to keep us out of the first three," he said with a wide smile.
A measure of the standing in which he is held in Hong Kong since his prolific winter stay can be gathered from the fact that he already has a full book of rides lined up for the big day.
Meanwhile, Japan's Agnes Digital, winner of December's Hong Kong Cup, has arrived from Dubai where he has been trained since the World Cup and also is reportedly in great shape.

[Mr Crapola]

Getting back to the withdrawal of Industrial Pioneer, what sort of excuse is that one Mr Kan ?? Blame the media for a horse, that before the Gold Cup, he himself had declared the horse having problems !!!
The "I'm the mechanic your the driver" call was a ego driven slap in the face to Mosse, who in the past has only done the right thing by the trainer.
One suggestion could be that he didn't want to run into Olympic Express and get belted by his bitter rival Ivan Allan.
In any event it was a lame excuse and typical of a man who thinks he's bigger then the game.
A community leader Mr Kan may be, but producing a dishonest, cowardly excuse for withdrawing a horse to save face (ego) would have others thinking differently.
[ April 17, 2002: Message edited by: Mr Crapola ]

[cheesebeast]

Yes good call Mr Crapola, and while on the subject of
"I'm the mechanic you're the driver" and rivalry between a couple of chaps obviously not getting on too well with each other, cop this banter between Eddie Irvine and Rubens Barrichello after the weekends Grand Prix .... Let's get it out in the open then shall we? :D :D
Barrichello “I told Eddie to go to hell. He talks so much in drivers’ briefings, and then he holds me up for 5 corners. It’s so silly. He’s getting to be an old man�
Eddie Irvine “I moved over for him to get by but he did not take the initiative. He should learn to count because it was only two corners later he went past. I might be older but I will never be as ugly�

[masun]

While on the subject of those who can't count...
A young man rolls an overloaded cart to the checkout register in a Cambridge supermarket and starts to unload his many purchases.
The salesman ask: "Are you from Harvard or MIT?"
The young man proudly replies: "Harvard! How did you guess?"
Salesman points to the sign "10 purchases or less" and says: "Harvard students can't count, MIT students can't read"

[cheesebeast]

While on the subject of those who can count ..
Raymond, a young New Zealand tourist on his first visit to Amsterdam locates
the red light district and enters a large brothel. The madam asks him to be
seated and sends over a young lady to entertain the client.
They sit and talk, frolic a little, giggle a bit, drink a bit, and she sits
on his lap. He whispers in her ear and she gasps and runs away! Seeing
this, the madam sends over a more experienced lady to entertain the
gentleman. They sit and talk, frolic a little, giggle a bit, drink a bit,
and she sits on his lap. He whispers in her ear and she screams, "No!" and
walks quickly away.
The madam is surprised that this ordinary-looking man has asked for
something so outrageous that her two girls will have nothing to do with it.
She decides that only her most experienced lady, Lola, will do. Lola looks a
bit tired, but she has never said no and it doesn't seem likely that
anything would surprise her. So the madam sends her over to Dave.
They sit and talk, frolic a little, giggle a bit, drink a bit, and she sits
on his lap. He whispers in her ear and she screams, "NO WAY, BUDDY!" smacks
him as hard as she can, and literally runs away! Madam is by now absolutely
intrigued, having seen nothing like this in all her years of operating a
brothel.
She hasn't done the bedroom work herself for a long time, but she did it for
many years before she got into management. She's sure she has said yes at
one time or another to everything a man could possibly ask for. The
challenge is irresistible. She just has to find out what this man has wanted
that has made her girls so angry.
And she sees a chance she can't pass up to show off to her employees how
good she was at what they do. So she goes over to Dave and says that she's
the best in the house and she herself, is available. She sits and talks with
him. They frolic a bit, giggle a bit, drink a little, and she sits in his
lap. And Dave leans forward and whispers in her ear, "Can I pay in New
Zealand dollars?"

[baldric]

Barrier draw for QEII.
Horse No. Horse Name Representing Draw No.
1 AGNES DIGITAL JPN 13
2 CHEERS HONG KONG HK 9
3 EISHIN PRESTON JPN 5
4 GRANDERA UAE 10
5 HELENE VITALITY HK 14
6 IDOL HK 11
7 INDIGENOUS HK 12
8 OKAWANGO FR 2
9 OLYMPIC EXPRESS HK 1
10 PRECISION HK 6
11 RAINBOW AND GOLD HK 4
12 REBEL LEADER HK 8
13 UNIVERSAL PRINCE AUS 3
14 LETHALS LADY FR 7

[baldric]

18 April 2002
Three days to go until the second leg of the World Series Racing Championship and the winner of the final leg of last year's championship, the 2001 Hong Kong Cup champion Agnes Digital, did a fast breeze over 1200 metres on the turf course this morning under work rider Mr Shirasaka.
"His performance was okay there," trainer Toshiaki Shirai said later. "His condition has improved a lot since he was in Dubai, where he looked terrible. We have three more days until the race, and I am confident he will be in perfect shape on the day. Tomorrow he will have an easy canter on the all-weather surface."
Eishin Preston, the Hong Kong Mile winner in December, impressed work watchers with his fast breeze over 1200m on the turf. The 1999 JRA Champion Juvenile steps up to 2000m for the first time on Sunday, but his exercise rider Kazuo Fujiwara had no concerns about the distance.
"He will have no problem staying 2000 metres. He has won twice over 1800m and I cannot see why Sunday's (trip) should not suit him as well," Fujiwara said. "He is in great condition and he is very relaxed even after that fast work.
"Tomorrow we will do an easy canter with him and get him familiarised with the paddock. His weight is now 472kgs (1038 lbs) - that's just under his optimum weight - which means he is in very good shape."
The condition of Australian runner Universal Prince is pleasing his connections. Trainer Bede Murray, responsible for more than 1500 winners throughout his career, said: "His weight is 481kgs (1058 lbs), exactly the same as when he won the AJC Australian Derby last year. That makes me more hopeful. He's looking great too." A turf workout is planned for Universal Prince tomorrow.
Criquette Head-Maarek was at the track for the first time this morning to oversee preparations for Okawango, of whom she said: "He looks better than when I last saw him in France - he obviously likes the food here! He did a faster canter today, and will have a sprint on the sand tomorrow along with the other French runner, Lethals Lady."
Godolphin's challenger Grandera looked full of vitality on the all-weather. Travelling head lad Ross Campbell said: "He's eating well and I am happy at this stage. His trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Frankie Dettori arrive on Friday evening."
The main news from the Hong Kong team concerned the defection from the HK$14 million event of Dashing Winner. He will be replaced by Rebel Leader, an in-form specialist at 2000m trained by Geoff Lane.
Dashing Winner competed in the final race on last night's Happy Valley card but was soundly beaten. Peter Ng's third home in last month's Hong Kong Derby did not eat up last night and having been checked by vets this morning, the decision was taken to pull him out of Sunday's test.

[Horny Harry]

Looks like a fantastic race. I flew out from Melbourne yesterday and arririved at the Sha Tin track in time for the breakfast with the stars. I must say that the Jockey club sure know how to put on a good breakfast...even better than the one at Flemington before the Melbourne Cup. Though the announcer isa bit loud... I heartily reccomend the fruit cup congee and have experimented at home with the recipe.
Universal Prince hada nice workout in the morning and I will be tipping him to all my mates back at home. The Japanese horses have no hope whatsoever against him. The Godolphin horses look weak compared to UP.

[cheesebeast]

Latest Odds from William Hill
Â*Grandera Â* 4.33
Â*Eishin Preston Â* 4.50
Â*Agnes Digital Â* 5.00
Â*Universal Prince Â*5.50
Â*Olympic Express Â*8.00
Â*Okawango Â* 9.00
Â*Lethals Lady Â* 13.00
Â*Helene Vitality Â*13.00
Â*Precision Â* 34.00
Â*Indigenous Â* 41.00
Â*Cheers Hong Kong Â*41.00
Â*Rainbow And Gold Â*51.00
Â*Idol Â* 101.00
Â*Rebel Leader Â* 151.00

[tunginbum]

APQEII Cup News : GRANDERA
18 April 2002
Please note permission has been granted for GRANDERA to run in a visor on Sunday.

[Horny Harry]

GRANDERA RUNS IN AUDEMARS PIGUET QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP
Grandera © Andrew Watkins
Grandera will represent Godolphin in the Group One Audemars Piguet Queen
Elizabeth II Cup over ten furlongs on turf at Sha Tin, Hong Kong, on Sunday, April 21.
The race is the second leg in the 2002 World Series Racing Championship.
Godolphin had the initial World Series Racing Champion in Daylami in 1999 and Fantastic Light has won the title for the last two years.
Grandera will be ridden by Frankie Dettori and is trained by Saeed bin Suroor.
The four-year-old Grand Lodge colt made his seasonal debut and had his first outing for Godolphin on February 24 at Nad Al Sheba.
He finished the three-and-a-quarter lengths runner-up to Narrative in the Group Three Dubai City Of Gold over 12 furlongs on turf then, staying on well in the closing stages.
Last season Grandera was successful on his final start, landing the Listed Dubai Arc Trial over 11 furlongs on turf at Newbury, England, in September.
He ran some fine races in defeat during 2001, most notably when finishing second to Sakhee in the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes over ten furlongs at York, England, in August, and when second to Medicean in the Group One Coral Eurobet Eclipse Stakes over ten furlongs at Sandown Park, England, in July.
He was also third to Anabaa Blue in the Group One Prix du Jockey Club (the French Derby) over 12 furlongs at Chantilly, France, in June.
Grandera exercised in blinkers on the track at Sha Tin under his work rider John Phelan on Monday, April 14. Ross Campbell, Godolphin's travelling head lad, commented: "That is not unusual. He wears blinkers every day in Dubai. We have not had this horse long and he has just had the one start for us at Nad Al Sheba, where he finished an unlucky second in a race that was run at a muddling pace. He appears well so we will see what happens."
Grandera, drawn in stall ten is set to face 13 other runners on Sunday including leading Japanese performers Agnes Digital and Eishin Preston, the useful French-trained Lethals Lady and Okawango as well as Universal Prince, one of the best horses from Australia.

[hobbes]

Land of the rousing run - Eishin Preston grabs glory
Japanese superhorse returns to scene of Hong Kong Mile triumph to land QE II Cup in scintillating fashion
ALAN AITKEN
"Come back. December. Hong Kong Cup." The $14 million Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup started with a roar and finished with the words Hong Kong was afraid to hear from Eishin Preston's owner, Toyomitsu Hirai, as he lifted his second Sha Tin international prize yesterday. The delighted owner announced Eishin Preston's long-term plans in carefully chosen English that might just have easily translated into "Asta la vista, baby" - but it is not only a warning to Hong Kong.
"We plan to run in other World Series races this year before coming back for the Hong Kong Cup," Hirai said. "I have to speak with the trainer, Mr Kitahashi, about which races will be suitable for Eishin Preston. At this stage, the only major race which is planned is the Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo in June, but we are looking at other races and whatever we do will depend on the condition of the horse."
The Japanese were back and just as devastating as they were four months ago on International Day when Eishin Preston landed the Hong Kong Mile, Agnes Digital took the Hong Kong Cup and Stay Gold captured the Hong Kong Vase. This time the Land of the Rising Sun produced two starts and a quinella in the second leg of the World Series in the shape of Eishin Preston and Agnes Digital.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club's $1 million bonus for any horse to win on International Day and then the QE II Cup was in tug-o-war mode over the final 100 metres with the only eligible horses going neck and neck before Eishin Preston set aside any doubts he could stay the distance to win by half a length. The grand old man of Hong Kong racing, nine-year-old Indigenous, celebrated his sixth run in the race by taking third ahead of Australian stayer Universal Prince.
"The good news for Hong Kong is Eishin Preston is not coming back for the Mile in December, so maybe we have a chance to win with Electronic Unicorn," quipped the Jockey Club's executive director Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. Chief handicapper Ciaran Kennelly replied perhaps that was only because winning trainer Shuji Kitahashi had two better milers for December. No-one was moved to laugh.
Eishin Preston lived up to his looks and his track gallops this week to launch a blitzing-run down the centre and the race looked over in a twinkling, but his compatriot, war horse Agnes Digital, was not done with yet. Despite all the trials and tribulations of his past few weeks, the pony-sized Agnes Digital surged back bravely behind Eishin Preston to test his previously unplumbed stamina and looked momentarily like dragging back the result.
In the end the fresher horse prevailed, but Kitahashi threw out the challenge for another place and another time. "I knew Agnes Digital was the biggest rival for us today, but he seemed tired because of his trip to Dubai," he said. "I look forward to challenging him in the future when he is at his peak."
That occasion might be the Hong Kong Cup, as trainer Toshiaki Shirai forecast Agnes Digital would be back to defend his 2001 victory next December. "He was very brave," Shirai said. "He has done a lot recently and even though he had a good chance to win today, it was not so good as I would have liked. Maybe Agnes Digital was not quite at his best today and I think it would have been closer if he was. He will have a good holiday now - he needs the break - then we will think about our plans, but the Hong Kong Cup is a good possibility."
Eishin Preston's barrier five was always a minor query in the race, as the stallion prefers room to unleash his withering finish and rival jockeys were doing Yuichi Fukunaga no favours in the early stages.
"When we jumped out, Eishin Preston was in the first three or four, but the other riders closed in around us and when there was such pressure, I went back in the field," he said. "I could feel the strength of Eishin Preston's spirit going to the start and in the early part of the race, when the pace was slower, I had trouble to try to control him.
"He settled down in the middle of the race and when we turned into the straight, I thought Eishin Preston would win. But I was less sure in the final 100 metres. Agnes Digital came back at me very strongly and today my horse really was very impressive in the final stretch. He seems to really like Hong Kong. I think now that 2,000 metres is the right distance for him."
Kitahashi said the tempo of the early quarters probably did not help to settle Eishin Preston, but he was full of praise for Fukunaga. "The pace was a little slow for Eishin Preston in the first 400 meters, but from 1,200 metres, the speed was more suitable and the jockey did a great job," he said. "Actually, I went into this race knowing that it was a strong and competitive race. My horse was in good condition, but I did have a concern about the distance. It is wonderful to win again for Japan and for all my staff who helped to make this happen. Eishin Preston's next run has not been decided, but we will see how he is after this race and make our decision then."
In the final analysis, handicapper Kennelly said this was clearly the best-ever QE II Cup. "The average rating for the race was 118 which is very high and higher than any previous running," he said. "How we can beat that next year, I don't know.
"The winner was rated 123 internationally after winning the Hong Kong Mile and we feel he ran to 120 today, but it was his first time at 2,000 metres and he may improve on that. What we have seen in our international races in the past couple of years is that the cream does come to the top. The best horses are getting here and running to their form."
This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

[Horny Harry]

Some wrap ups from around the world on the Days Racing at Sha Tin.
Desert Eagle (now Grand Delight) and Neptune's Journey (Clement Supreme) put in encouraging debut efforts at Sha Tin yesterday.
Each having their first start for new trainers in Hong Kong (Grand Delight with John Size and Clement Surpeme with David Hayes), the two horses settled well back in the 1400m Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks 30th Anniversay Handicap - both running on nicely over the final stages.
Ridden by Shane Dye, Grand Delight finished on the heels of the placegetters in fourth position - beaten only 2.25 lengths. Not far away, ridden by YT Cheng, was Clement Surpreme in sixth position, 3.5 lengths from the winner Bull's Eye - an Australian bred son of Rivotious.
By: Kristen Manning - Monday, 22 April 2002
FIFTH FOR GRANDERA
Grandera came fifth in the Group One Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup over ten furlongs on turf at Sha Tin, Hong Kong, on Sunday, April 21.
The four-year-old Grand Lodge colt, ridden by Frankie Dettori and trained by Saeed bin Suroor, was slightly slow into his stride on leaving the stalls but soon made up ground to be close up.
Grandera, visored for the first time, raced three wide and was fourth turning for home when asked for his effort.
He went into the lead but was challenged and headed by the Japanese pair Agnes Digital and Eishin Preston and had no more to offer in the closing stages.
Eishin Preston won by half a length in a time of 2m 2.5s. The race was the second leg in the 2002 World Series Racing Championship.
Frankie Dettori reported that Grandera was a bit too keen during the first half of the race.
Japanese star's regal show pips the Prince
By Darren Prendergast
April 22 2002
In the end, it took Japanese stars Eishin Preston, Agnes Digital and local veteran Indigenous to deny Bede Murray's four-year-old Universal Prince a memorable victory in the $HK14m ($3.3m) Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong yesterday.
Aided by a perfect ride from jockey Justin Sheehan, Universal Prince loomed as a serious contender turning for home in the Group1 feature at Sha Tin, which doubled as the second leg of the rich World Racing Series Championship.
But he was unable to resist the challenge of Hong Kong Mile winner Eishin Preston, which surged to victory ahead of Hong Kong Cup hero Agnes Digital, with Indigenous third.
Universal Prince kept fighting and was coming again on the line to finish fourth, only two lengths from the Japanese champion, which led Japan's dominance of the International meeting in Hong Kong in December.
Sheehan made use of Universal Prince's inside barrier (three) and worked last year's AJC Australian Derby winner into a forward position before settling midfield at the halfway stage of the 2000m race. Approaching the home turn, Sheehan began making his move, edging Universal Prince into open spaces for a clear run to the line.
However, Eishin Preston, which demoralised the international field in the Hong Kong Mile in December and started favourite yesterday, unleashed a stunning burst of acceleration to sweep to the lead inside the final 200m and hold off the fast-finishing Agnes Digital.
Universal Prince's performance will give Murray confidence heading into his next international assignment in the Singapore Gold Cup next month.
Despite Universal Prince's gallant defeat, Australians were still prominent on the day.
Former South Australian jockey Dwayne Dunn teamed with David Hayes to record the biggest Hong Kong win of his career, guiding Charming City to victory in the Group1 $HK4.5m Chairman's Sprint Prize.
The 1200m race was the final leg of the Hong Kong champion sprint series.
Charming City had won the first leg of the series last month and picked up the $HK800,000 series bonus as well as the $HK2.5m first prize.
Charming City defeated its stablemate All Thrills Too, which finished runner-up to Falvelon in the Hong Kong Sprint in December, with the Frankie Dettori-ridden favourite Firebolt third.
All Thrills Too was ridden by Shane Dye, who did not take long to remind Australian viewers - watching the races on Sky Channel - of his genius.
Dye produced an outstanding ride aboard the John Size-trained Toymark to claim the Metropolis Handicap and move within a win of South Africa's Douglas Whyte in the jockeys' premiership.
Dye weaved his way through the 14-horse field on the topweight before it unleashed a powerful finishing burst to gain a split between the two frontrunners Medic Corps and the heavily backed Premier Speed, ridden by Whyte.
Toymark's win also enabled Size to extend his lead in the trainers' premiership to three over nearest rival Tony Cruz. Dye also had two third placings.
Former Melbourne-based rider Craig Williams also filled a minor placing aboard Meridian Star in the Champions Mile, which was won by Jeune King Prawn.

[lepper]

The winner was too good and the second horse ran extremely well. But Grandera certainly put up a big effort also.

[masun]

The dividend for the Eishin Preston win was $46.5. The dividend for the Eishin Preston/Green Diamond double would have been $43 only. And of course those "smart" enough to bet on the double didn't even get to collet those 43 bucks since Green Diamond finished 3rd.