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Quality sets the pace for Cup time

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Quality animals and fast going is the simple story behind the 2,000-metre track record set by London News in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday.

With local hero Privilege in the field, a solid pace is a certainty, and the admirably consistent Ivan Allan-trained galloper didn't disappoint at the weekend.

The sectional times of 25.8, 23.8, 23.8, 23.3 and 23.6 seconds confirm the even tempo of the contest. But, as is always likely to be the case in this quality of race, Privilege was there to be shot at.

Under a copybook ride by Douglas Whyte, the South African pairing moved smoothly throughout, just a couple of lengths off the lead, and, asked to make his move late, London News only had to be pushed out to set a new distance standard of two minutes and 0.3 seconds.

With the winning time equating to a Topspeed rating of 102, there is no doubt it was a quality effort and as a time performance it rates 10 points superior to that achieved by Overbury in last year's running over 2,200 metres.

Although he has clearly earned the chance to continue his career against the top company in Europe, he will need to produce speed figures around 14 points superior if he is to reward connections for their sporting plan to send him to England.

Privilege (96) continues to be a joy to follow - he's the most game and gutsy horse in training (possibly anywhere in the world) and he doesn't know when to give in. This was the fourth time this season he has recorded a speed figure in the 90s.

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