Designs on Rome repeats in Hong Kong Gold Cup
It took 4 races after surgery, but in a repeat effort in theCitibank Hong Kong Gold Cup, Designs on Rome was able to defend his title inthe Group 1 event. Ridden to perfection by Tommy Berry, Designs on Rome circledthe field on the turn and was able to hold off the persistent Helene HappyStar. Stopping the clock in 2:01.51 for 2000m event, the win marked Design onRome’s first since this race one year ago.
It had been a rough season for the 6-year-old gelded son ofHoly Roman Emperor. After a failed trip to Dubai last spring and coming up flatin the APQEII Cup, it was soon discovered that he had small bone chips in bothforelegs, which had to be removed. After the arthroscopic procedure and asummer vacation in Australia, he returned to training with hopes on regaininghis championship form. Three off the board finishes into the season, somewere questioning if he ever would.
Trainer John Moore never lost faith in his old companion,and continued to train him toward the end of year championship races. Also thetrainer of superstar Able Friend, who is out for the year with a ligamentinjury, Moore is delighted to have his former stable star back in thespotlight.
Tommy Berry has now piloted Designs on Rome to five victoriesin Hong Kong, four of which have been at the highest level. When rounding the turn into the stretch, hestarted urging his mount nearly 600m from the wire. Worried about not beingable to close on the other talented horses in the race, he asked Rome foreverything he had, and the mount responded in kind. The two have been paired in4 of the 6 Group 1 victories of the veteran horse.
Despite a poor barrier trial last week, and not showing thefire he’s had in previous seasons, Designs on Rome still was able to muster enoughconfidence in bettors to be the second favorite at post time. He rewarded hisbackers to $44 HKD for a $10 bet. As of now, there’s no intention for Designson Rome to repeat his journey to Dubai as he did last year, and he will next bepointed to the APQEII Cup at the end of April. The win brings Design on Rome’s earnings total to $58,549,325 HKD, whichis just above $7.5 million USD.
Later in the card came the thrilling 1400m Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, which was absent of the aforementioned Able Friend. This hascaused quite a stirring of the ranks of Hong Kong’s second glamour division, as noclear front runner has emerged as a favorite for year end honors. Contentmenthas made his name heard.
Now 5 for 6 at the 7 furlong distance, he appears to be a horse forthe course. Settling just off the flank of the pace setter, Contentment trackedthe leader under new rider, Brett Prebble, with hopes of pouncing away from thefield as they turned for home. His strategy paid off stopping the clock in1:21.24, for the first Group 1 win of his career.
The win brought his 3rd stakes victory of the season in 7 starts,while he has finished off the board only once. If his form can carry him to a win in theChampions Mile or any of the other Sprint Championship series, year end honorscould be headed his way. Also hoping to make a stake at the championship claimis Gold Fun, who finished fourth in today’s race. This marked the worstfinish in the last 14 months of racing, but there is no doubt that this consistentsprinter/miler still has some gas left in the tank for the rest of the spring.
Stewards’ Cup winner Giant Treasure, another hopeful for themiler championship was tested over 2 turns in the Gold Cup where he flattenedto finish a disappointing ninth. This was to be a decision maker forthe journey to Dubai for the a shot at the Turf, and now his connections willhave some decisions to make before the $6M USD contest at the end of the month.
