Michael Rodd has missed out on a reunion with English stayer Red Cadeaux in the Hong Kong International Vase with Ryan Moore to ride the Melbourne Cup runner-up at Sha Tin.
Trainer Ed Dunlop said the decision to engage Moore was a foregone conclusion once stablemate Snow Fairy was ruled out of Sunday week’s gala meeting due to injury.
Rodd rode Red Cadeaux in the Melbourne Cup when the horse came the closest of seconds to Dunaden who will be among his opposition in Hong Kong.
“Ryan Moore was riding Snow Fairy, Ryan has ridden him (Red Cadeaux) in England and he rides now that Snow Fairy doesn’t run,” Dunlop told Sydney’s Sky Sports Radio from England.
“We had many others including Michael Rodd standing by but Ryan has ridden five Group One winners for me in the last few years.
“It was an easy decision in the end.”
Dunlop said the Hong Kong Vase had not always been on Red Cadeaux’s agenda but the horse’s owner Ronald Arculli was keen to have a runner at the meeting.
A solicitor and former chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Arculli is now chairman of the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd which owns and operates the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
“It was an afterthought. It wasn’t planned,” Dunlop said.
“Ronny Arculli took the attitude why not?
“It’s on the way home and there is nothing here for him.
“Plus it’s a chance to run on Ronny’s doorstep.”
Dunlop said he left Red Cadeaux in Victoria until a few days ago to give him the chance to work on softer ground than he would have in Hong Kong.
“It made his training program easier,” he said.
“The ground in Hong Kong will probably be a little quick but he proved on the good to firm at Flemington he could handle it so hopefully he can get away with it.”
Dunlop said a decision on Snow Fairy’s future would be made when the multiple Group One winner returned to England.
“We’ll make a decision then whether she will be retired or continue to race,” he said.
“It’s too early yet.”
AAP TURF
