Horny Harry
07-11-2002, 16:02
Helene Vitality disappoints in Cup
Fractious in the gates before the jump, Helene Vitality's outside chance of lifting the Melbourne Cup for Hong Kong suffered a mortal early blow as he endured a tough trip in the first half of Australia's greatest race at Flemington today.
"The damage was done before he entered the back straight. It's a long way to come to be beaten like that," a disappointed trainer David Hayes said after watching his gelding finish 21st of 23 starters.
"He was very stirred up in the gates again despite being calm before the race. Then he struggled to find cover and he over-raced. You can't do that in a Melbourne Cup, especially one raced at such a high tempo as we saw there."
Helene Vitality (Gerald Mosse) parades in the Flemington mounting yard before today's Melbourne Cup.
Media Puzzle's victory for Ireland from local hope Mr Prudent, Godolphin's Beekeeper and race favourite Vinnie Roe was clocked as the second fastest Cup ever, just 0.67 seconds outside the course record set by Kingston Rule in 1990.
Jockey Gerald Mosse summed up the ride from a wide barrier 17 thus:
"He panicked in the barriers. He got too excited and had to be first let out before going back in again.
"Then he broke only okay and gradually I followed Frankie [Dettori, on Pugin] and Paddy Payne [on Jardines Lookout] but he gave me too much when I didn't want it and he was wide, too.
"They were going very fast as well and I knew early that it would be difficult for us because it's a two-mile race and he needed to save himself. Unfortunately, he was beaten at the 600 metres."
However, the Frenchman described the occasion as a "beautiful experience," adding: "I would so much love to come back here and I would like to thank David Hayes for giving me the chance to take part. It's such a great day, it really is amazing out there."
Hayes said Helene Vitality will remain at Flemington for the next two or three weeks before returning to Sha Tin with the Hong Kong Vase on the agenda once again. "We'll let him relax first, give some time off. He'll do swimming and have a light preparation before he goes back home for the Internationals but I'm more hopeful about All Thrills Too's chances in the Sprint," he said.
HKJC News
By: Racenet - Wednesday, 6 November 2002
Fractious in the gates before the jump, Helene Vitality's outside chance of lifting the Melbourne Cup for Hong Kong suffered a mortal early blow as he endured a tough trip in the first half of Australia's greatest race at Flemington today.
"The damage was done before he entered the back straight. It's a long way to come to be beaten like that," a disappointed trainer David Hayes said after watching his gelding finish 21st of 23 starters.
"He was very stirred up in the gates again despite being calm before the race. Then he struggled to find cover and he over-raced. You can't do that in a Melbourne Cup, especially one raced at such a high tempo as we saw there."
Helene Vitality (Gerald Mosse) parades in the Flemington mounting yard before today's Melbourne Cup.
Media Puzzle's victory for Ireland from local hope Mr Prudent, Godolphin's Beekeeper and race favourite Vinnie Roe was clocked as the second fastest Cup ever, just 0.67 seconds outside the course record set by Kingston Rule in 1990.
Jockey Gerald Mosse summed up the ride from a wide barrier 17 thus:
"He panicked in the barriers. He got too excited and had to be first let out before going back in again.
"Then he broke only okay and gradually I followed Frankie [Dettori, on Pugin] and Paddy Payne [on Jardines Lookout] but he gave me too much when I didn't want it and he was wide, too.
"They were going very fast as well and I knew early that it would be difficult for us because it's a two-mile race and he needed to save himself. Unfortunately, he was beaten at the 600 metres."
However, the Frenchman described the occasion as a "beautiful experience," adding: "I would so much love to come back here and I would like to thank David Hayes for giving me the chance to take part. It's such a great day, it really is amazing out there."
Hayes said Helene Vitality will remain at Flemington for the next two or three weeks before returning to Sha Tin with the Hong Kong Vase on the agenda once again. "We'll let him relax first, give some time off. He'll do swimming and have a light preparation before he goes back home for the Internationals but I'm more hopeful about All Thrills Too's chances in the Sprint," he said.
HKJC News
By: Racenet - Wednesday, 6 November 2002