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Robin Parke

LEADING trainer John Moore remains favourite to take the championship, but at slightly longer odds than his stable star Makarpura Star will be as he bids to cap an unforgettable season by winning the Champions and Chater Cup this afternoon.

  With the Derby and the Gold Cup already in the bag, Makarpura Star is virtually certain to be named Horse of the Year and success today would unquestionably herald a new champion.

  The sheer quality of the New Zealand-bred galloper puts him ahead of this field which does not include River Verdon who has made the race his own over the past few years.

  It also does not include the exciting youngster Deauville which trainer Patrick Biancone had once considered running. The decision to go for the Sha Tin Vase and a clash with the other rising star of local racing, Mr Vitality, makes the race a much more exciting prospect than today's end-of-season staying test.

  There can be no logical doubts that Makarpura Star will stay the 2,400 metres of the Champions - and there are certainly none in the mind of John Moore.

 'Frankly, I think he will love it. He was taking part in 2,000-metre trials when he was two.

 'He is a very good horse and I am excited to have him. His Gold Cup win was excellent and he is ready to run a huge race in the Champions. We are looking at the best horse in Hong Kong.'   It does look so predictable that it is difficult to see how Makarpura Star can be beaten in a truly run race. Normally this trip can be expected to test most horses but Moore, and the rest of us, have no logical reason to doubt that Makarpura Star will run this out on his ear.

  Makarpura Star is a champion and he should be duly crowned this afternoon. As Makarpura Star is going to be at ludicrous odds those wishing to actually have a bet in the race will have to look to the quinella and tierce.

  And if there was to be one horse, one trainer and a jockey capable of spoiling the party for Moore and Makarpura Star it could be Privilege, Ivan Allan and Basil Marcus.

  Here the question mark has been over the distance, but if Privilege does run out 2,400 metres we could yet be in for a most interesting afternoon.

  Privilege is a superb front-running type of stayer who just keeps on going when he should, by rights, be weakening and beginning to stop.

  He is the type of galloper who breaks the hearts of the opposition because he will not quit - the certain sign of a quality performer.

  Privilege immediately puts one in mind of the now US-based British stayer, Urgent Request, who won the Santa Anita Handicap for Gary Stevens and ran such a bold race behind Red Bishop in the International Cup.

  This is a massive test for Privilege, but as much at the trip as anything else - Makarpura Star included.

  He certainly must be included in the quinella and might even be worth a modest each-way bet-just in case.

  Of the remainder it is best to look to those who will run out the testing distance thoroughly.

  This definitely includes Moore's second string, Survey King, who has been a major servant to the stable over the past two seasons and beat home his illustrious stablemate in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup on April 1.

  Admittedly, Makarpura Star encountered transit problems but it would be foolhardy to ignore the claims of Survey King.

  Moore has called on the services of Greg Childs for Survey King and the Kiwi ace can ride a top race over this distance.

  Fortune Leader lacks the class for this, but does get the trip and his most recent efforts over lesser ground have not been without some merit. He is worth a modest tierce flutter.

  Cricket Lord has problems with his mental make-up but does go well over a trip - and trainer Lawrie Fownes has had this race in mind for some time.

  'If he has any pretensions to being a good Class One stayer he will have to do something in this. He had no luck in running last time, but I have been pleased with his earlier runs and the trip is what he needs,' said Fownes.

  The rest in this more modest Champions field make little appeal on a quinella and tierce basis.

  Amza Glory would appreciate the sting out of the ground and will get the trip, but essentially lacks the class for this while Fortune Ride has failed over 2,200 metres before and should struggle.

  Deerfield does not look as if he will get 2,400 metres on his exposed form, and Wonderful World is past it. Equine Supremo, on an earlier effortless success over 1,900 metres in more modest company might be worth including at odds.



Moore wonder from Star recruit