Designs On Rome wins the APQEII Cup in Hong Kong
The 2014 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup is one of the two spring jewels of the Hong Kong racing calendar. The 1 ¼ mile international Group 1 event at Sha Tin boasts a $14,000,000 HKD (~$1,800,000 USD) purse that draws some of the top middle distance turf horses in the world. The top class field included Japanese classic winning Epiphaneia, and South Africa’s grade 1 winning Vercingetorix, who was coming in fresh off a second place finish in the Dubai Duty Free.
Despite the top talent, this race did not belong to the international invaders. It was the two powerhouses from Hong Kong that would separate themselves from the field. Military Attack was returning from a failed effort as a favorite in the Dubai World Cup, and hoping to regain form in the APQEII Cup. Breaking sharply on turf rated good, he was forwardly placed in a slow early pace. Rounding the final turn, he unleashed his signature turn of foot, and looked to be clear of the field. However, Designs on Rome was not about to let him get away so easily.
Slugging it out for the final 300 meters, the Hong Kong Derby winner was able to edge clear of Military Attack to win the race by a neck. Stopping the clock in 2:01.06, the 4 year old gelded son of Holy Roman Emperor has proven his form will hold when facing older horses. By winning today, he became only the third horse in the history of the Hong Kong Jockey Club to achieve the Hong Kong Derby and the APQEII Cup double.
This race marked Design on Rome’s 6th win in 13 career starts, and brings his career earnings in excess of $26,000,000 HKD. It appears that a divisional championship is locked at this point, but trainer John Moore indicated Designs on Rome’s next likely start will be the 1 ½ mile Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (HKG1) next month in an attempt to win Horse of the Year.
Below are some of the photos that I took during my visit to Sha Tin for this year’s Audemars Piguet QEII Cup. Enjoy!
Lucky Scepter getting past Do You Get It just past the wire
Horses being led to the paddock for saddling for the day's 4th race
The gallop out