Friday's scratching of top galloper Military Attack (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) has stripped Saturday's Centenary Vase H. of some of its intrigue and luster, but an eclectic group of 11 remains for this event contested over a distance that is ideal for almost none of its contestants.
Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) is left as the starting highweight and will give some talented runners anywhere between 10 and 18 pounds. Now five years of age, the Moyglare Stud-bred has carved out his reputation over the metric 10 furlongs, with wins in the Hong Kong Derby, G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup and most recently a last-jump defeat of Military Attack in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup Dec. 14. But despite the top impost, trainer John Moore is expecting an 'A' performance from his charge.
“Under handicap conditions you would expect one of the lighter weights to be winning races like this, but we all know Designs On Rome is all heart,” he commented. “Considering his form going into the race, he's going to be one of the horses to beat.”
Designs On Rome is using this as a steppingstone to the G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup Mar. 7 and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic Mar. 28.
One of those aformentioned lightweights in the field is Khaya (NZ) (Librettist), who finished third when allowed a soft lead in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase over 2400 meters Dec. 14 and exits a narrow defeat in the January Cup H. at Happy Valley Jan. 7. With no other confirmed front-runners, jockey Karis Teetan expects Khaya to take them a long ways this afternoon.
“I can't see many horses that will go forward and race up there and Khaya will be a naturally handier horse than the rest of them. I think he has a decent chance,” Teetan offered. “There are some big names in the field, some good horses, but the big weight concession gives me confidence, especially as his last two runs have been very promising.”
Willie Cazals (Ire) (Aussie Rules) has progressed nicely this season and ran on very well to put a scare into Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB})despite the leisurely pace in the Vase, but could be up against it from that perspective again this afternoon.
Trainer Caspar Fownes elected to scratch Military Attack Friday morning, as the veteran has been off his feed of late. Bloodwork has revealed no illness, but connections have decided to err on the side of caution.
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