Blistering pace earns Cheng victory

Hong Kong's Kenneth Cheng Kit-man and Kin Fortune put in a blistering jump-off round to stay ahead of Jennifer Chang Ren-hui and Luxor 91 and secure victory in the FEI World Cup qualifier at Beas River yesterday.

The crowd that made the trip out to Sheng Shui got their money's worth with great weather, entertainment for the kids and some white-knuckle action.

The testing course of wide oxers and high uprights saw no clear rounds from the four competitors, among whom was top Australian rider Paul Athanasoff on Open Treasure who took third place. Fourth was his fellow countryman, Chris Chugg on Chivas de Tivt.

Cheng and Chang racked up eight faults in the first round and four each in the second round. Chang's jump-off fault came early in the round and she had secured second place but still decided to take it slowly instead of trying to beat Cheng's blistering pace that saw him finish in 44.34 seconds.

Cheng knew the oxers would be challenging to Kin Fortune, and wasn't surprised when he brought down a pole in each of them. He rattled a few in the jump-off but they stayed in the cups and his tight turning and bold approaches shaved the all-important seconds off the clock.

'I knew I had to push to get the pressure on Jennifer,' he said afterwards, 'I had to move on to pick up the time.'