My Horse is a Star
January 1st, 2002by Jude T. Feld
The 2002 Hong Kong Cup (G1) is now in the books with local owner Wu Sai-wing’s Precision nosing out German champion Paolini at the wire, in a thrilling $658 (HK) upset under the great Irish jockey Mick Kinane.
The 2000-meter race drew a top field of international stars, both equine and human, but it occurred to me as I was reading the quotes published by the Sha Tin Racecourse publicity staff, that the jockeys told twelve different stories of the same event.
Precision Nods Out Paolini In Hong Kong
Hong Kong Jockey Club Photo
Jockey Christophe Soumillon saw everyone finish ahead of him and Royal Treasure.
“Too long,” he said.
Douglas Whyte, who rode Cellini, had this brilliant observation.
“Too slow.”
Dr. More’s rider Shane Dye seemed surprised to find a compact field in a Group 1 turf race.
“Just one of those shocking races,” he observed. “He was too far back. Gee, there was some trouble ahead of me in the run for home.”
Hong Kong-based jockey Eric Saint-Martin accepted Come See You?s ninth-place effort.
“He ran okay,” Saint-Martin said. “No pace.”
Crafty reinsman Richard Quinn blamed the break for Indian Creek’s performance.
“He was very keen,” Quinn stated. “There was no pace and it was a rough race. He missed the start as per usual. He just can’t jump. That’s him.”
Godolphin’s highly-fancied Grandera finished a distant seventh under wonderboy Frankie Detorri.
“The pace was too slow,” Dettori whined. “It killed me. He needs a strong or even tempo. Then I couldn’t get out. It is a shame because I was on the best horse in the race.”
I’m sure Sheik Mohammed was delighted to hear that.
If you had told local jock Weichong Mawing Sunday morning that Housemaster was going beat Grandera, he would have been counting those Hong Kong dollars.
“He wasn’t in the best position as the race has turned out,” Mawing shared. “No pace at all, but he finished off well. It was a good run.”
Japanese jockey Yuichi Fukunaga piloted Eishin Preston to a fifth-place finish despite his mount being a tad rank.
“The pace was very slow so I had difficulty in controlling him. He was in very good condition today so it is just regrettable.”
American rider Corey Nakatani also blamed the pace for Sarafan’s defeat.
“He ran a great race,” Nakatani said. “We were shuffled back to last with Frankie on the bend. He produced a great finish and was the best horse on the day given that the pace was so much against him.”
Unfortunately, owner Gary Tanaka doesn’t get a trophy for fourth.
The slow pace fooled Dettori and Nakatani, but not French jockey Gerald Mosse who rode Dano-Mast.
“My horse ran a beautiful race,” Mosse related. “There was no pace and that is why I decided to kick on earlier. He fought all the way to the line but two good horses have beaten him on the day. He is a lovely ride and I am proud of him.”
The great German rider Andreas Suborics almost took the Cup with Paolini.
“I’m so glad that he has proved he is as good as we have always thought,” Suborics said. “I had a dream ride. No excuses, but it is always disappointing to be beaten by such a small margin.”
Winning jockey Mick Kinane was obviously ecstatic.
“I had a smooth run down the outside while everyone else was having a rough time on the rail,” he said. “When I asked him to quicken, he did it really well. I have to admit it is a bit of a surprise but it’s great to finish the season like this.”
It is important to remember, that most of the time, who is in the saddle is not as important as who is underneath the saddle. Winning owner Wu Sai-wing said it best.
“I’m very proud to be a part of this great day for Hong Kong racing. Thanks very much to my trainer, his staff and the jockey. My horse is a star!”
