The local brigade looked set to dominate this race, especially after one of the two overseas visitors (In Her Time) was withdrawn on race morning under vets instructions. However the question was whether emerging star Aethero trained by John Moore could hold out the established brigade, particularly the John Size duo of Hot King Prawn and Beat The Clock and Frankie Lor’s two time winner Mr Stunning.
As expected Aethero pinged the gates and crossed the field from his wide gate (10), enabling jockey Zac Purton to lead the field up. Mr Stunning and Hot King Prawn settled in behind and Beat The Clock was three back on the rail. Aethero kicked upon straightening, and was able to put a small gap on them. However the established stars kept coming and it was Joao Moreira and Beat The Clock who hit the frame late from Hot King Prawn, with Aethero holding out for third.
“There’s no way I could be any happier. What a pleasure to be on top of two very nice horses, particularly this guy. He is such a good horse, so consistent, he tries his best always and being his rider is just unforgettable,” said Moreira.
“When the gates opened he wasn’t fast enough. He didn’t settle where we wanted him to be which was a pair closer but once we were turning for home I could feel I had plenty in my hands and I realised he was coming to win the race with one furlong (200m) to go. This will be in the back of my mind all my life. I’ve been associated with this horse for quite some time. Some people were doubting how good he was and rating him second to other horses in the race. He went there to prove today he’s the best sprinter in Hong Kong. And the best part of it is I don’t think that’s it, I think there’s more to come from him,” Moreira added.
Trainer John Size said: “It’s just his character I guess, his will to win and fighting spirit; all the good things that good horses have, he has all those attributes. He helps himself a lot with his training. He saves his energy for race day. I think he’ll sleep for a week now. He used every ounce of energy in his body in today’s effort and it’s humbling to see a horse do that actually.
“He’s a joy when he comes to the races, I can assure you of that. You’re going to come home with a cheque no matter what; he’s been been an absolute pleasure. He was extremely brave in the run today. He didn’t look like he was going to win but we know with him he’s just not done until the finishing line comes up,” he said.
“This was one of his best performances today, if not his best,” Size said, “and he will feel it. They’re only flesh and blood no matter how good their character.
“It’s very humbling to watch a horse like that. It’s an amazing feeling. It’s actually not much to do with me in the last 50 or 100 yards. We just keep them out of harm’s way and get them to the races to do their best so it’s an unusual feeling and hard to describe; someone who’s more of an orator than me might be able to tell you.
“It’s just natural to be emotional when a horse does something like this space. It humbles you, that is the best word I can think of. It means plenty to win here. It’s always meaningful to perform well at international level in front of your home crowd.
“From the first day he trialled, he showed us he was a bit different and when he hit the track the sectional times he reeled off at the end of a sprint race showed his Group 1 potential and he’s delivered, he’s got the character and the mindset for it,” he said.
Trainer John Moore was not disappointed with the effort of Aethero. “He’s a three-year-old, only got beaten a neck, so I’m very pleased with the run. He didn’t win but was gallant in defeat. Zac (Purton) said that when he went for him at the 200 (metres), he was expecting something there – that they could kick away a bit but it wasn’t there. He changed legs and that was the difference. He’s definitely still an exciting horse.”
Thanks to the HKJC team for quotes from connections.