Full Result 8.35 Sha Tin (HK) | 16 March 2008

Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby (Group 1)

(4yo) 1m2f Good

1st £597,938.14 2nd £226,804.12 3rd £103,092.78 4th £48,453.60 5th £34,020.61 6th £20,618.55

Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby (Group 1), 1m2f - Good, 4yo

Pos. (Draw)	Horse / SP Trainer / Jockey	Jockey Trainer	Age	WGT	OR	TS	RPR	MR
1⁽³⁾	3. Helene Mascot (IRE) F Coetzee A S Cruz	F Coetzee A S Cruz	4	90 t	–	–	116	–
b c Peintre Celebre (USA) - Razana (IRE) (Kahyasi)
Even jump, took a midfield spot 7 lengths off fast pace, suited by solid section, chased along to improve on bend, came 4 wide turning, took front 1 1/2f out, briefly challenged but asserted authority final furlong for a solid win

2⁽⁹⁾ nk	10. Jackpot Delight (NZ) Christophe Soumillon C Fownes	Christophe Soumillon C Fownes	4	90 b	–	–	116	–
gr g Danasinga (AUS) - Principation (AUS) (Prince Echo)
No real pace and allowed to position 10 lengths back in running line, suited by solid tempo and travelled comfortably throughout, held up 2f out, dashed sharply when clear levelling up final furlong but beaten by a better horse

3⁽¹²⁾ 3¾ [4]	1. Green Birdie (NZ) Olivier Doleuze C Fownes	Olivier Doleuze C Fownes	4	90	–	–	108	–
b g Catbird (AUS) - Mrs Squillionaire (AUS) (Last Tycoon)
Taken back from a wide alley, ended up well back 15 lengths from speed, aided by fast sections, gradually made 400yds, closed well from rear on turning but set a huge task peaking on efforts last 100yds

4⁽⁶⁾ ¾ [4¾]	6. Ambitious General (AUS) E Saint-Martin D J Hall	E Saint-Martin D J Hall	4	90	–	–	107	–
b c General Nediym (AUS) - Lake Lagoda (AUS) (Military Plume)
Slow into stride, positioned behind midfield 9 lengths off fast pace, saved ground and suited by speed, improved between horses on bend, continued making ground and did best work when clear from 250yds to make frame

5⁽⁵⁾ shd [5]	2. Never Look Back (NZ) Gerald Mosse P O'Sullivan	Gerald Mosse P O'Sullivan	4	90 b¹	–	–	106	–
b c O'Reilly (NZ) - The Grin (NZ) (Grosvenor)
Reared on jumping, ended up 12 lengths away behind midfield, suited by fast pace, had a reasonable run in mid-section, still had job to do on turning, made even headway between horses inside final 1 1/2f to be closest on line

6⁽¹⁰⁾ ¾ [5¾]	5. Great Guy (NZ) K L Chui A S Cruz	K L Chui A S Cruz	4	90 t	–	–	105	–
b g Black Minnaloushe (USA) - Gardd (USA) (Sheikh Albadou)
Away nicely, slotted in on rails however ended up 5 lengths back in 4th when pace went on, had to cart rest up but saved ground on circle, made a useful run 1 1/2f out but didn't run out trip and failed to factor late

7⁽²⁾ ½ [6¼]	4. Dao Dao (AUS) Douglas Whyte J Size	Douglas Whyte J Size	4	90	–	–	104	–
br g Shinko Forest (IRE) - Casual Way (NZ) (Casual Lies)
Well enough away, pressed on to settle 5 to 6 lengths away in 2 wide line, had a fair run but forced to follow a strong pace, pushed along to turn, made brief claims 2f out but had no extra final furlong, checked on line

8⁽⁸⁾ shd [6¼]	12. Win Practitioner (NZ) Brett Prebble C Fownes	Brett Prebble C Fownes	4	90 b	–	–	104	–
br g O'Reilly (NZ) - Proteaceae (NZ) (Kaapstad)
Even break, settled closer than expected 7 lengths away on rails, helped by fast tempo, saved ground on bend with an ideal run, held up at 1 1/2f out, didn't let down as usual and struggled last furlong

9⁽¹¹⁾ 2¼ [8½]	7. Fearless (SAF) Bernard Fayd'Herbe D E Ferraris	Bernard Fayd'Herbe D E Ferraris	4	90 b	–	–	99	–
b g Western Winter (USA) - Festive Forever (SAF)
No early pace, allowed to settle 15 lengths away at rear, helped by solid sections, still well back in impossible spot on turning in, made some progress past beaten runners, jockey reported abnormal breathing

10⁽⁷⁾ 1½ [10]	9. Horace's Choice (AUS) Glen Boss C Fownes	Glen Boss C Fownes	4	90 ht	–	–	96	–
b g Strategic (AUS) - Booked (AUS) (Pine Circle)
Standard jump, settled behind midfield 8 lengths off lead, helped by solid speed at top end, steadied at 500yds, made a quick burst on turning and briefly threatened but didn't see out journey fading over 1f out

11⁽¹³⁾ 3½ [13½]	13. Viva Hong Kong (USA) Darren Beadman John Moore	Darren Beadman John Moore	4	90 t	–	–	89	–
b g Lemon Drop Kid (USA) - Spring Pitch (USA) (Storm Cat)
Began with move purpose, held spot outside leader in 3 way battle, tracked fast pace, eventually took hold at 5f, ridden along thereafter, failed to finish off and weakened badly in straight

12⁽⁴⁾ shd [13½]	8. Luckyme (NZ) Y T Cheng A S Cruz	Y T Cheng A S Cruz	4	90 t	–	–	89	–
b g Chief Bearhart (CAN) - Frizzle (NZ) (Pompeii Court)
First to hit ground, led easily however pressured throughout, set fast tempo, still under siege on bend, found little on turning and quickly lost touch late

13⁽¹⁴⁾ 6 [19½]	11. Lu Yue (NZ) Olivier Peslier C H Yip	Olivier Peslier C H Yip	4	90 hb	–	–	77	–
b g Pins (AUS) -
Out with them, pressed forward from wide gate, 3 wide no cover, engaged in 3 way pace battle, still challenging on bend, dropped out quickly after hard run