Teetan seeks strong tempo in G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup

Karis Teetan hopes the HK$12 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday will be run at a strong pace to enable Romantic Warrior to showcase world-class talent – and sap Golden Sixty’s withering acceleration.

Warning against the perils of allowing Golden Sixty to saunter through the first 1600m before Vincent Ho unleashes the champion miler’s terminal sprint in the straight, Teetan wants a genuine contest.

“We can’t make it a canter-sprint race because then Golden Sixty is just going to come and beat all of us,” Teetan sid. “So, I’m going to have to keep in mind how fast we are going and we’re going to have to make it a truly-run 2000m race – and let him feel the 2000m.”

Teetan sat outside leader California Spangle when aboard Romantic Warrior in the G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m) on 29 January, only for Golden Sixty to take a split between the pair before surging away to a famous victory.

Confident the return to 2000m will help BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m), G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) and G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) victor Romantic Warrior offset Golden Sixty’s dash, Teetan is hopeful Money Catcher and Ka Ying Star will ensure a decent clip.

“I’m very happy with my horse. I worked him on Friday morning and he’s feeling good, he’s in good shape,” Teetan said. “In a small field like that, it’s all about the tactics and I just hope we make it a good test.”

Currently fifth in the Hong Kong Jockeys’ championship with 25 wins behind Zac Purton (96), Vincent Ho (48), Silvestre De Sousa (34) and Hugh Bowman (29), Teetan takes the ride on Flagship Warrior for David Hayes in the HK$12 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).

“He’s such a good little horse. First-up, he won from barrier No 14 first-up, then he had barrier No 14 again and now he has barrier 10 – he’s had it tough since he got to Hong Kong but his last trial was good,” Teetan said.

“He’s got a crossed noseband on this time, so that will settle him down a little bit and looking at the Hong Kong Classic Mile, you have to ignore the run and the form out of the race because of how the race was run.

“So, at 1800m, it’s going to be a different pace and he’s going to run better this time.”

Beauty Eternal will seek to advance BMW Hong Kong Derby claims when he contests the Class 2 Citigold Handicap (1600m) under Zac Purton as John Size continues to assess the exciting gelding’s capacity.

“His class is probably going to carry him through this campaign and then after a period of time, he’ll develop some form whereby you would be able to say exactly what his (best) distance is,” Size said of the mercurial four-year-old, who has three wins from four starts.

“He’s had some interruptions and he’s been scratched a couple of times, so his preparation hasn’t been copybook but sometimes it works in your favour – sometimes it doesn’t. At the moment, the horse seems to be happy to go to the races, and he’s willing to help us out, so we’ll keep asking him and see what happens.”

Peter Ho’s Woodfire Bro will face four fellow BMW Hong Kong Derby entrants – Romantic Charm, Straight Arron, Snaffles and Happy Together – in the Class 3 Citi Insurance Services Handicap (1800m).

Jockey Derek Leung is hopeful the 77-rater can push for a fourth win this season as he chases a tilt at BMW Hong Kong Derby on 19 March.

“Since the start of the season, he has improved a lot,” Leung said. “He’s more comfortable, more relaxed and he’s an absolute stayer. If he runs well on Sunday, I think he will have a rating good enough to be in the Derby.”

James McDonald, who returns from Australia to partner Beautyverse in the Hong Kong Classic Cup, will ride debut winner Happy For All in the Class 4 Citi Ultima Handicap (1200m) for Jamie Richards.

“We’re happy with how he came out of that race, we’re happy with his trials and we’re looking forward to his race on Sunday,” Richards said. “Unfortunately, the barrier Gods haven’t been kind and he’s going to have to do it the hard way from out there in No 12 but if he musters the gate speed he showed at the trials, he might be able to sneak forward a bit.

“It’s a good quality field as you would expect on Hong Kong Classic Cup day, but we’ll be there doing our best.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Nice Birdie last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. He should relish coming into a low draw and can improve. Killer Instinct good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and will go close again. Sun Of Makfi recent runs have been encouraging and can run well from barrier No 3. Packing Monkeyking video replay showed last run was very good, could run a cheeky race. Billionaire Secret looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start but barrier No 12 is awkward.

Race 2: Royal Bomb was an easy last start winner under Jamie Kah, who rides again, and looks hard to beat again. So We Joy good performance when storming home for third place last start and he’s an honest track and distance specialist. Leading Fortune caught the eye last start running home powerfully. True Legend should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Nordic Star having third start and may improve here as Purton takes the ride.

Race 3: Beauty Eternal highly promising four-year-old who shows a ton of ability and is the one to beat. He will get all favours from barrier No 2 and looks too good for this lot. Mr Ascendency was an easy last start winner and must be respected to run well again. California Ten looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Fantastic Treasure has a chance based on past form in this class of race, could run an improved race.

Race 4: Quite a few chances here. Round The Globe newcomer who has trialled well for debut on several occasions and he looks wound up and ready to fire first-up. Brave Dreams has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Every chance from barrier No 1 under Purton. Lost Child has had no luck last start and could run a cheeky race. Happy For All a last start winner who trialled well since but he’ll need luck from gate No 12. Juneau Flash last start winner who remains in the same grade but rises in distance.

Race 5: Victory Moments looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start when on debut. Give another chance. Superb Boy form is good and must be rated a solid chance. Goes close here. Superb Capitalist should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, but barrier No 1 for the straight isn’t ideal. Noble Win newcomer who has trialled well for debut several times. He has plenty of gate speed and should give a sight. Lucky Eight narrowly beaten last start and goes close.

Race 6: Thunderboltaurus third-up here and looks set to breakthrough coming into a low gate after drawing wide last time. Trialled quietly but well in between runs and is the one to beat. Unpresuming a last start winner who trialled well since but has barrier No 13 to navigate, which could prove tricky. Good News placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. War Weapon change of trainer recently and trialled well for it. Rated well these days and can figure. Romantic Laos having third start and may improve here for Richards and Shinn.

Race 7: Romantic Warrior distance specialist – four from four – who will be hard to beat after only tasting narrow defeat to Golden Sixty over the mile last time. This is his chance to turn the tables. Golden Sixty local champion galloper who is in good form and will be put- ting up a fight to Romantic Warrior. If they go slow enough, perhaps his turn-of-foot will hold him in good stead. Tourbillon Diamond finishes close up but place chances seem best. Ka Ying Star good performance when returning to form last start. Should run well again. Money Catcher disappointing last start but worth giving another chance.

Race 8: Romantic Charm better chance with blinkers on, based on his overseas form, and look for a good run on his second local start. He needed the first-up run, fitter now. Woodfire Bro last start winner who remains in the same grade and will run well again from barrier No 3. Happy Together well supported last start and won accordingly and he has upside. Quantum Patch having third start and may improve here after a better 10th place than it reads last start. Purton sticks with him. Straight Arron change of trainer recently and watch betting, he could improve after an okay trial.
Race 9: Tuchel nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a big chance to claim the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series as he steps away from barrier No 1 under Purton. Voyage Bubble an impressive winner last start who has trialled well since and he might map softly again for Jamie Kah. Super Sunny Sing winner of last three starts and looks a top chance to measure up here. Vincent Ho speaks highly of him and he is simply low-flying. Galaxy Witness caught the eye last start when running home well in the Classic Mile but will be dictated to here by the wide draw. Beautyverse last run was better than it reads in the slowly-run Classic Mile. The rise in distance suits.

Race 10: Beauty Missile recent barrier trial was impressive after a promising debut run into second place, suggesting a big run can be expected. Golden Artie caught the eye last start running home powerfully. Stunning Impact finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start but is a better chance back to this track and distance. Not Usual Star caught the eye last start when running home well into fourth. Won well two back and his form is very good. Naboo Legend go on solid previous effort where form looked good.