Global Weekly Review - 14.12.15

The message to come out of the last major international race meeting of 2015 is that the Japanese racing and breeding industry has never been stronger.

Sha Tin was the venue for the latest renewal of the Hong Kong International Races, which were dominated by Japanese-trained horses, with Maurice gamely taking the G1 Hong Kong Mile and A Shin Hikari and Nuovo Record gloriously filling the first two places in the G1 Hong Kong Cup.

In an emphatic endorsement of the meeting, a record crowd of 85,000 turned out for the 10-race card, which remains the showcase for the ever-prosperous Hong Kong racing environment.

But while Hong Kong continues to thrive, Japan provided a stern reminder that more than four decades of unrestrained investment in the world's best bloodlines, from a variety of sources, is now reaping huge rewards.

Godolphin were represented by Toormore, who finished 11th in the Mile after being forced to take a forward position from his wide draw. While he ran well for a long way, the early effort took his toll and he weakened in the home straight.

Japanese star Maurice, ridden well by Ryan Moore, came out on top, winning the well-documented "duel" with Able Friend, the local champion who remains the highest-rated horse in the history of Hong Kong racing.

There was a pre-race scare when trainer John Moore reported a "pulse" in Able Friend's right front hoof, but following a veterinary inspection, he was allowed to run. That he finished third - the former British horse Giant Treasure split the two champions from the Far East - may be dismissed by many, claiming the episode with the foot had been a hindrance.

Ryan Moore, who rides regularly in Japan, later told reporters that it was foolish to underestimate the Japanese horses. "Maurice won the Champions Mile from gate 16. Not many can do that against top horses," he said.

As usual, European stayers crushed the locals in the G1 Hong Kong Vase, over 2,400 metres, with Irish-trained Highland Reel proving too strong for Flintshire, with three-year-old Dariyan an honourable third.

"Magic Man" Joao Moreira won the G1 Hong Kong Sprint on Peniaphobia with a quite adventurous dash from the outside stall 14 to the rail in the first 300 metres. Gold-Fun took second place, running on well at the finish.

The finale to the international races was the stunning front-running performance of A Shin Hikari, ridden by Yutaka Take, who recorded a fast time of 2.00.6 for the 2,000 metres as he put his rivals to the sword. It was the son of Deep Impact's ninth win from 11 starts.

Nuovo Record, the 2014 Japanese Oaks winner, ran home strongly for second but never looked like catching the winner.