South Africa takes a strong hand into this year’s running of the Gr1 Audemars Piquet QEII Cup with no less than 4 home-team connections.
Mike de Kock, who has landed the prize twice before with Irridescence in 2006 and Archipenko in 2008, goes into the race with two contenders in Vercingetorix and Sanshaawes. Vercingetorix drew the luckiest gate of all in no 3, with stablemate Sanshaawes being allocated gate 8.
Defending champion and son of Avontuur’s new resident stallion Oratorio, Military Attack, will jump from stall gate 4 right next door to stablemate Designs On Rome, who jumps from gate 5.
Karis Teetan has been engaged to ride French-bred Uncoiled for the Yoshito Yahagi and drew pole position 1.
Trainer John Moore summed up the view of most competitors when he said the draw was unlikely to have a great bearing on the outcome of the prestigious race. “The draw’s not likely to be critical in the field of 10. I don’t think the gates are of great consequence and it’s not an issue for any of mine,” said Moore in reference to his four runners – one of whom he hopes can provide him with a fourth win in the international G1. “Same World‘s an on-pace runner and he’s drawn two so that’s fine. Military Attack will go forward from four and look to slot in behind the speed. Dominant (gate 7) will go back so the gate’s not important and Designs On Rome (5) will hopefully land midfield. You’d just hope for a sensible pace to suit all runners,” he added.
Anthony Delpech draws 3 for Vercingetorix
Moore’s sentiments were echoed by Trevor Brown who is supervising the preparation of Mike de Kock’s pair, Vercingetorix (3) and Sanshaawes (8). “I’m not too worried about the draw and probably not too worried about the pace as both our horses are versatile, but of course you would hope for a decent, fair run race,” he said.
Brown said tactics would be most likely left to his two jockeys, Anthony Delpech (Vercingetorix) and Olivier Doleuze (Sanhsaawes). “Anthony knows his mount well and he can probably hold a handy spot from gate three if he begins well. Sanshaawes could go back from his wider gate but again I’ll leave that to Olivier and I would have no issue if there was no pace and he opted to go forward,” said the South African assistant trainer, who is confident both horses can run well. “Vercingetorix is still on the up, still on the improve and he’ll run well. Sanshaawes is a horse who tries very hard, he’s versatile and he’s better suited back on the turf,” Brown said in reference to the gelding’s last run on the Tapeta in the Dubai World Cup.
Delpech, twice a winner on Vercingetorix in South Africa and a previous AP QEII Cup winner aboard Vengeance Of Rain, is enthusiastic about his mount. “There doesn’t look to be too much speed but my horse is versatile and has the turn of foot to put himself into the race no matter what the tempo,” he said.
Japanese jockey Yuichi Fukunaga was another in confident mood after his mount Epiphaneia drew gate six. “I was wanting to draw four, five or six,” said Fukunaga, “and if he shows his best performance on Sunday he must go close to winning.”
Local trainer Michael Chang was not delighted his charge Dibayani, the last horse drawn, was left with the outside barrier 10. “For the second big race running, I didn’t even get the chance to draw. Last time 14, this time 10,” he said referring to the BMW Hong Kong Derby when Dibayani finished third after also being the last horse drawn and starting from the outside gate 14. “Next time, I will tell the owner not to send me down,” Chang quipped. However the draw may not have a negative impact on Dibayani’s chances with 10 starters.
Yoshito Yahagi, trainer of the second Japanese runner Uncoiled, was philosophical about drawing gate one. “I’d have preferred a middle gate but inside is better than outside. It’s a very good field but my horse is well, and the 2000 metres and hopefully a softish track will suit him,” he said.
The final field and draws are listed below:-
2014 QEII Field and Draws
(source: HKJC)
