Trainer Peter Moody seems likely to have to settle for a one-horse assault on Britain’s most prestigious race meeting following the failure of his runner King’s Rose in Hong Kong on Sunday.
Moody had hoped King’s Rose would accompany the champion mare Black Caviar to next month’s Royal Ascot meeting, but only if she performed up to expectations in the Group One Champions Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin.
Her 11th placing after a torrid run placed the trip under review, but there were excuses for the performance after the mare raced three and four wide throughout.
While the Moody challenge failed, like most major races in Hong Kong, the finish of the Champions Mile featured a strong Australian – and New Zealand – influence.
The winner Xtension, who also took the race last year, is trained by expatriate Australian John Moore Hong Kong’s most successful ever trainer.
But the real merit in the win came with the ride of New Zealand youngster James McDonald, who came to Hong Kong fresh from a brilliant Sydney autumn carnival.
“James gave him a gorgeous ride,” Moore said.
“He didn’t have the best of luck but he was patient and made all the right moves.”
For McDonald, 20, the win proved to be the living of a dream.
“As a kid, I always dreamt of riding a Group One winner in a country like Hong Kong,” McDonald said.
“It’s a huge thrill to ride a winner for such a great trainer.”
Xtension also beat a hoodoo that has beset Hong Kong horses who have travelled to Dubai as he did in March, finishing fifth in the Dubai Duty Free (1800m).
Many Hong Kong horses have struggled to regain form after such a trip, and Moore admitted he wasn’t sure if Xtension had made a good recovery.
“He wasn’t 100 per cent today, but he was clearly good enough,” he said.
Xtension score by a half length from Glorious Days with another length to Lucky Nine in third place.
The favourite Cityscape finished 10th, just ahead of King’s Rose.
AA
