Handy Harry
02-12-2002, 10:46
Derek Cruz's Hong Kong Derby plans for Super Blitz were right back on track yesterday at Sha Tin as Olivier Doleuze turned the four-year-old back into a winner in the featured Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup.
"Olivier gave him a great ride, saving ground everywhere from the inside gate and that made the difference in the tight finish," said Cruz after Super Blitz managed to dive along the inside and edge out John Size-trained Harmony Partner in a thriller over the final 100 metres of the Class Two event.
http://racing.scmp.com/english/images/news/lead30112002.jpg
During his first Hong Kong stint last season, French rider Doleuze tagged Super Blitz as his Derby horse for this season, following the brilliant turn of foot he showed to win over the Sha Tin 1,600 metres. It remained Super Blitz's only victory until yesterday and it has taken the French rider's return this term to bring Super Blitz back to the winner's circle.
"At Happy Valley last start, the horse had a big weight and that played against him," Cruz said. "I wasn't disappointed with him there. Coming here today, with the rain and the track being downgraded, I was worried about the weight and the ground again. The distance is not a factor - we have always known he would stay all day - but I do think he prefers the firmer going."
Doleuze would not be drawn on whether Super Blitz again felt like a Derby horse yesterday but said it was hard not to like the victory. "It isn't fair to compare his win today with the last time. Very different circumstances," Doleuze explained. "For a start, he had a big weight today and the ground was not heavy but certainly affected by the rain, and it was good when he won last season."
The only thing which remained the same in Doleuze's comments on Super Blitz was that the colt "is still a big baby".
"He still feels immature so all the best is yet to come," he said. "Today when we came at the leader I thought we would win by two lengths, but in the end it was only a short head. Super Blitz is still a big baby but I think he is going in the right direction."
:eek: :eek: :eek:
"Olivier gave him a great ride, saving ground everywhere from the inside gate and that made the difference in the tight finish," said Cruz after Super Blitz managed to dive along the inside and edge out John Size-trained Harmony Partner in a thriller over the final 100 metres of the Class Two event.
http://racing.scmp.com/english/images/news/lead30112002.jpg
During his first Hong Kong stint last season, French rider Doleuze tagged Super Blitz as his Derby horse for this season, following the brilliant turn of foot he showed to win over the Sha Tin 1,600 metres. It remained Super Blitz's only victory until yesterday and it has taken the French rider's return this term to bring Super Blitz back to the winner's circle.
"At Happy Valley last start, the horse had a big weight and that played against him," Cruz said. "I wasn't disappointed with him there. Coming here today, with the rain and the track being downgraded, I was worried about the weight and the ground again. The distance is not a factor - we have always known he would stay all day - but I do think he prefers the firmer going."
Doleuze would not be drawn on whether Super Blitz again felt like a Derby horse yesterday but said it was hard not to like the victory. "It isn't fair to compare his win today with the last time. Very different circumstances," Doleuze explained. "For a start, he had a big weight today and the ground was not heavy but certainly affected by the rain, and it was good when he won last season."
The only thing which remained the same in Doleuze's comments on Super Blitz was that the colt "is still a big baby".
"He still feels immature so all the best is yet to come," he said. "Today when we came at the leader I thought we would win by two lengths, but in the end it was only a short head. Super Blitz is still a big baby but I think he is going in the right direction."
:eek: :eek: :eek: