Last year's G1 Irish Derby winner Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling), third in last Saturday's G1 Qipco Champion S. in a return from injury, could take in the G1 Hong Kong Vase Dec. 11 before a trip to Dubai for the G1 Sheema Classic in March, according to trainer John Gosden.
Assessing the Godolphin-owned 4-year-old's performance at Ascot, Gosden said, “Almanzor is the best 3-year-old in Europe and Found is an Arc winner, so to be third to them is great. I'm thrilled with it. He wants a mile-and-a-half, but he finished really strongly.”
Gosden added, “He'll go to Dubai in March and we'll have a look at the Hong Kong Vase. After all he's only had one race this year [having been pulled up in the G2 Jockey Club S. at Newmarket Apr. 30]. He's looking great and enjoying life.”
“He worked well going into the race and had a racecourse gallop,” Gosden noted. “I think there's a lot of improvement in him. He's like his dad–improving with age.”
Jack Hobbs could join a pair of confirmed French-based runners in Hong Kong, with G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest winner Signs Of Blessing (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) targeting the G1 Hong Kong Sprint and One Foot in Heaven (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) also aiming towards the Vase. One Foot in Heaven is a son of 2006 G1 Hong Kong Cup winner Pride (Fr) (Peintre Celebre), who was also trained by Alain de Royer Dupre. One Foot in Heaven was last seen winning the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris Oct. 16.
“The ground was very soft when he won the Prix du Conseil de Paris but I think he is a better horse on good ground, as he showed when he was sixth in the [G1] Arc de Triomphe,” said de Royer Dupre. “The ground in Hong Kong should suit him well. We will know more in the next couple of weeks, as we will see how he comes out of his win at Chantilly. At the moment, there are no problems with him. He seems to be a horse that is improving with age, like his mother did and I think there is more to come.”
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