3 minute read
Trainer Richard Gibson’s success in Hong Kong to date is closely connected to the achievements he has enjoyed in tandem with owner Pan Sutong.
On Sunday trainer and owner will once again combine for an assault on Group 1 majors in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (1200m) and Champions Mile (1600m) with Gold-Fun and Giant Treasure.
The latter came of age in December when splitting a pair of champions, Japan’s Maurice and Hong Kong’s own Able Friend, to claim a then career highlight second in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile.
Victory the following month in the G1 Stewards Cup (1600m) proved that was no fluke.
Gibson stretched the grey to 2000m last start for a nondescript ninth in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, but his track work since has been eye-catching, notably an impressive 1200m dirt barrier trial last Tuesday where he passed the post ahead of fellow Champions Mile contender Packing Pins in a time of 1m 10.42.
“His track work has been mightily impressive,” said Gibson. “He’s got so much natural speed and we are delighted with his condition going into the race on Sunday.
“I think the horse is really peaking, he’s on top of his game, he’s mentally in a great place.
“We’ve freshened him up since his last race and we are looking forward to Sunday because again we have got to be at our very best to beat these top international horses.
“We have got home advantage, which is always a big plus in racing. Foreign horses have to be really on top of their game to beat us.”
Japan’s Horse of the Year Maurice is again amongst the raiding party along with the Godolphin duo Bow Creek and Safety Check.
Veteran French ace Olivier Peslier will fly in to partner Giant Treasure and Gold-Fun on Sunday.
Gold-Fun, Hong Kong’s Champion Miler in 2014 when he was fifth in the Champions Mile for the second time is now established as one of Hong Kong’s elite sprinters.
He won the Chairman’s Sprint Prize, without its newly-awarded international G1 status but nonetheless a world class contest, in 2015 and has maintained a high standard this term, winning the G2 Jockey Club Sprint and placing second to Peniaphobia in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint and Aerovelocity in the HKG1 Centenary Sprint Cup.
The horse has been on the sprint program for the past couple of seasons and he’s proven himself amongst the very best in Hong Kong but he’s going to have to be at his very best to perform against these top class horses,” Gibson said.
Gold-Fun stepped out last Tuesday in a 1050m trial on the dirt track and finished mid pack but in no way concerning to his trainer.
“It’s clear to see that Gold-Fun’s work is less impressive, he’s an older horse, he’s done it before and he’s always given his best in the afternoon, so I’m not disappointed with his track work.”
Gold-Fun and Giant Treasure both hold an entry to the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot in June and should they perform well on Sunday, one of the pair could make the journey to England.
