Hong Kong’s hopes of a second win in South Korea came unstuck this afternoon (Sunday, 10 September) as Japanese duo Remake and Crown Pride collected both Group 3 features on a warm afternoon at a packed to the rafters Seoul Racecourse.
Squeezed for running room as he left barrier 11, Duke Wai was forced to settle at the rear before steadily making ground mid-race under jockey Damian Lane. Turning for home, Duke Wai took the widest route and closed impressively, however, it was too little too late as Remake set a new course record (1m 10.00s) in the G3 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand).
In the following race, Apache Pass could only muster ninth position as Crown Pride streaked clear to seal Japan's big race double this afternoon in the G3 Korea Cup (1800m, sand).
Trainer Pierre Ng – who watched on trackside at Seoul – said: "I'm pretty happy with the way Duke Wai ran today. We were a bit unlucky at the start, but he made up so much ground. I was very proud with him the way he chased up a lot in the straight. The winner was good.
"If it wasn't for the jump, we might have gone a little bit closer, but he did brilliantly for his second time overseas, we'll be looking to going again with him."
Duke Wai did similar in March's G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan in Dubai when fifth. The chestnut takes home a cheque of KRW70,000,000 (approx. HK$410,696) for his efforts.
"He (Damian Lane) was pleased. He got squashed at the start, but he still maintained his momentum to finish the race strong. He was a bit unlucky with the turn, we got a little bit wide and that probably cost us second or third place. But it was a very good run, I'm happy with him," Ng said.
Both Duke Wai and Apache Pass will return to Hong Kong tomorrow, with the former targeting November's G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin.
"We'll try for the Group 2 Jockey Club Sprint in November – he'll target that, if he gets in. Then we'll see how he is, if he's fit and ready for another trip to Dubai," said Ng, who is considering a dirt course contest for the horse in the Middle East.
"We have to see, it's under consideration (to run on the dirt in Dubai)."
South Korea's Beolmaui Star crossed the line second, while third place in the Korea Sprint went to the Yoshito Yahagi-trained Bathrat Leon . Last year's winner Eoma Eoma finished in fifth position.
Contrasting fortunes met Apache Pass this afternoon though, who settled behind the leading duo for much of the Korea Cup before weakening into ninth position.
"The Japanese made an early move, so he had to keep up with them. Of course, in the end, he was a bit tired but if it wasn't a quick move, we may have got away with fifth or sixth.
"It is what it is, they're very strong horses and it's a very good experience for Apache Pass. Hopefully he can learn from it and hopefully we can do something else this season with him," Ng said.
Japan finished one-two in the Korea Cup with Gloria Mundi grabbing second position. Last year's victor of the race Winner's Man was third, while Success Macho was fourth.
The winning time of the Korea Cup was 1m 51.50s.
