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John Size’s Beat The Clock wins the FWD Chairman's Sprint Prize.
The Australian sprint hope Santa Ana Lane (AUS) was not able to defeat the local runners on Sunday with the TJ Smith Stakes winner finishing fourth to Beat The Clock (AUS), Rattan (NZ) and Little Giant (NZ) in the HK$16m, Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
With Mr Stunning withdrawn from the race due to a hoof issue punters backed Santa Ana Lane as the strong favourite after his dominant win in the TJ Smith at Randwick on April 6th.
From barrier nine jockey Hugh Bowman settled Santa Ana Lane in behind the field of nine while up front the stage was being set for the finish even before the turn.
Chad Schofield made a bold move on Rattan going to the lead with Nac Venus (JPN) and Yutake Take outside. Little Giant and Vincent Ho followed on the rails tracking Rattan and Beat The Clock and Joao Moreira sat outside. 4L back Bowman and Santa Ana Lane waited for the turn.
The early pace was not strong picking up as the field straightened for the run home. Schofield sent Rattan away from the 400m slipping Nac Venus, while Moreira sent Beat The Clock after Rattan with clear running room and Little Giant and Ho clung to the back of these two.
At the back of the field Bowman had Santa Ana Lane out wide and setting off for the leaders, however, as they accelerated the leaders were also doing the same. While the gap narrowed, it was apparent 200m from the line that it was not narrowing quick enough and it was the three in front who had the race. Santa Ana Lane had his chance and it was not enough.
John Size’s Beat The Clock took the win with a 1/2L over a brave Rattan (Savabeel) with Little Giant (Swiss Ace) equally as brave in third, the margin a neck. Santa Ana Lane was 2 1/2L away.
The time was 1.08.26 on the Good rated track with the sectional times 24.18, 22.29 and 21.79.
“I was extremely happy. I would say the race actually went perfect for him. Rattan wasn’t giving up. He was dashing home and made it very hard but fortunately we have a very brave horse. He tries his best and once again he’s done it,” said Moreira.
Beat The Clock, a five-year-old Hinchinbrook gelding out of the Lion Hunter mare Flion Fenena, was winning his second Group 1 of the season after winning the Centenary Sprint Cup on January 20th over Mr Stunning.
Prior to that he was third in last December’s Group 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint and he was second to Rattan with the latter having a weight advantage in the Group 2 Sprint Cup on April 7th.
On even terms Moreira had Beat The Clock well placed throughout the run and he was able to use his experience at the top level over the final 100m.
Beat The Clock, owned by Merrick Chung Wai Lik, was winning for the seventh time from 21 starts and with 13 placings he has earned stakes of HK$34,972,000.