A change in training technique by John Moore may have unlocked the secret to Same World, and a surprise first career win over less than a mile has opened the big-race trainer's mind as to his horse's future possibilities.
With all of Same World's previous five wins here and overseas over 1,650m or further, the five-year-old was sent out a 15-1 shot in the Kwangtung Handicap Cup (1,400m) with top two fancies All You Wish and Mizani dominating the market.
But Same World showed surprising dash after being put in a perfect position three-back on the rails by Weichong Marwing to win. Bullish Champion was runner-up, while Mizani and All You Wish flashed home to finish third and fourth respectively.
Moore said a late-season win at Happy Valley last term, but more specifically the gelding's training pattern to get there, had shown the benefit of a freshen-up and shorter trip to the horse.
"He had a break before that run, then I kept him ticking over but I think it freshened him up - that's probably the way to train him to get him to run like he did today," Moore said.
"He was only out of work two weeks, but that helped, and we brought him back into work with this race in mind. Even though I originally thought this race might be on the short side, after a good dirt trial the other day, when he showed some pace, we felt more confident. Marwing was very positive about him running a race."
Same World was second in the 2012 Hong Kong Derby and finished third later that season over 2,400m in the Group Three Queen Mother Memorial Cup, but after yesterday's sprinting effort, Moore said what the horse's best distance was is up for debate. His next start could be against stablemate and reigning champion Horse of the Year Military Attack, and Ambitious Dragon, in the Group Two Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy on October 27.
"Looking at that win today, let's go to the mile and see how he goes. If he can still finish off like he did today, running that sort of final sectional, and with an overall time of 1.21.3 over 1,400m - we will see whether he sticks to a mile or progresses to 2,000m," Moore said.
What Moore wasn't questioning was whether Same World could make up the 10-point leap from Class One cup horse to Group One contender. "He is versatile, and there is probably a bit more improvement there," he said. "I always go into these type of races with him thinking he has a chance. He is an International Day type of horse."
Dennis Yip Chor-hong surprised many by bringing Hong Kong Derby contender All You Wish for an early-season taste of quality open-age competition. Sent out a solid 2.2 top pick, jockey Douglas Whyte said the circumstances hadn't allowed the son of Thorn Park to show his best.
"I wasn't disappointed with him at all, because of the outside gate I was certainly one horse further back than I would have wanted," Whyte said. "It was a new test for him against that class of horse, but I was very happy how he closed the race off. I think his sectionals would have been good, you won't see him at 1,400m again - he needs further now. All in all, I was happy with him going forward."
Mizani was another appearing to need more ground. He was sent out second pick and closed late for third from the back of the field, with Olivier Doleuze settling one spot in front of the favourite in the run. "I was pleased with that, he will be better over further," Gibson said.
