We’re a few days out from this years APQEII and we have a small but select field. The standout runners appear to be last years winner Werther and the Japanese raider Neorealism. However, the race is not as narrow as those two. My take on them, with some photos

Werther

The 2016 winner of the APQEII (also the HK Derby) has had an abbreviated season due to injury. He missed the December internationals, his seasonal return came in The Stewards Cup (1600m) at the end of January, finishing mid-field. Back to his preferred trip of 2000m in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, he finished over the top of Blazing Speed to remain unbeaten at that trip at Sha Tin. Since then back at a Mile he finished 4th to Rapper Dragon in the Chairmans Trophy, a handicap event.

Trainer John Moore has perfected the science of getting his horses right for these big races and of the locals Werther is the one to beat, any rain will be a bonus. Expect the son of Tavistock to run a mighty race come Sunday.

See below the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, in which many of the local horses featured.

Blazing Speed

The winner of the APQEII in 2015 has been ticking over nicely this season, without winning. Just nailed late by Werther in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, he put in another useful performance in the Chairmans Trophy. He is the best performed son of Arc winner Dylan Thomas, and has Sadlers Wells as his dam sire and has won up to 2400m, so a stern staying test (should that eventuate) holds no fears.

Now an 8yo, he may be past his best but is still competitive in these races. He generally races close to the speed, which will be a bonus in this race. Perhaps eighteen months ago Werther would not have got past him in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, but to see him win would not be a total shock, although unlikely.

Secret Weapon

Secret Weapon started his career in England, with a couple of starts over 1200m, and has found his feet in in Hong Kong as a middle distance horse. A Northern hemisphere bred son of the mighty Australian sprint star Choisir, he gets his middle distance aptitude via his dam side, via Montjeu.

With the exception of the Stewards Cup, he has had a very consistent season winning the Longines Jockey Club Cup in November and placing in the Hong Kong Cup three weeks later at the HKIR meeting.  A close third in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup indicates he’s holding his form. Typically he gets back of mid-field in the run and this may not suit in this race.

With Nash Rawiller injured, he will again have the services of Zac Purton.

Designs On Rome

Former Hong Kong horse of the year, Designs On Rome, completed the rare Derby/APQEII double in 2014. He started this season with a win in the Oriental Watch 55th Anniversary Sha Tin Trophy under Karis Teetan. Since then he’s not troubled the scorer and has been plain disappointing.

However he’s been a mighty horse and his duels with Able Friend during their four year old campaigns is the stuff of legends.

His battle with Military Attack in this race in 2014 was also a great race to witness, the two of them going head to head over the final furlong of the Sha Tin straight. It was an emotional win for Tommy Berry, a special day to be on hand for.

Pakistan Star

A Hong Kong International Sale graduate, his story is now well known. Becoming a Youtube sensation at his first two starts, Pakistan Star has found it more difficult to hit the frame as his rating climbed. In saying that he ran into a genuine star during the four year old series this year and his runner up effort in the Derby was full of merit.

The small field and lack of pace is a concern here, but he did trial well recently, sitting closer. If he does not flop out the back several lengths away from the rest of the field he’s a chance, however that is a long shot scenario. Link to trial footage http://racing.hkjc.com/racing/video/play.asp?type=brts&date=20170418&no=01&lang=eng

The United States

Starting his racing career in Ireland, the son of champion stallion Galileo was sold to Lloyd Williams in Australia after winning the G3 Enterprise Stakes at 2000m in September 2013. The stable are patient and it was just under a year before he made his Australian debut at Moonee Valley. Things didn’t go too well and that what the end of his preparation. The spring of 2015 is when started to show his true ability, winning the Moonee Valley Cup under Hugh Bowman (beating subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance).

He went on to run in the Melbourne Cup (ridden by Joao Moreira), finishing 14th in a messy race. However the stable reached a decision with him after that performance and he has not been stretched beyond 2000m since then. It was an inspired move as  he has performed very well subsequently, all in G1 and G2 races, never finishing worse than 5th. He’s won at G1 and G2 level in that time at both 1600m and 2000m.

The United States been consistent this preparation, without really looking like winning a race. He’s a good horse, who may just be a season past his absolute best. Adaptable tactically, he is able to race on speed or come from behind. A win would surprise, but it’s great to see the stable looking beyond Australia with their horses, hopefully there is more to come.

Neorealism

Doesn’t have a G1 win to his name, but is a dual G2 winner at 1800m and 2000m. One of those was a shock win over the mighty Maurice at Sapporo (2000m). He was able to bowl along untroubled in front that day, a scenario that could possibly be repeated here.

A stunning looking son of the Sunday Silence stallion Neo Universe, he is trained by the media shy Noriyuki Hori, a man who let’s his horses do the talking. Talk they do, he  recently raided the HKIR successfully with Maurice and Satono Crown. Neorealism was a visitor to Hong Kong in December, running in the Mile. Racing ungenerously early, he challenged at the top of the straight, but faded in the final furlong to be a well beaten 9th.

Dicton

I’ll admit to not knowing a lot about this horse. He’s by Lawman (Invincible Spirit), who was a winner of the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby). Dicton raced in the Derby last season, finishing a creditable 3rd, although well beaten by Almanzor.

His seasonal debut came over 1600m in the G3 Prix Edmond Blanc, where he was a well beaten 2nd to Jimmy Two Times. He came with a long run from off the pace. Expect to see him towards the back of this field, so he is another that will not be suited by a slowly run race.

I’m looking forward to photographing his big white face this week!