Racing's best just can't get enough of HK
THE elite corp of the riding world gathered for the International events at Sha Tin yesterday and they didn't want to go home. Legendary Texan Cash Asmussen threw his hat firmly into the Hong Kong ring after a masterful display on the John Hammond-trained Red Bishop who swooped past Britain's pace-setting grey, Urgent Request, for a 2 3/4-length victory in the inaugural running of the $4.5 million International Vase. Ivan Allan's local hope, Wonderful Way, was the same distance back and a highly creditable third. 'I'm very serious about spending part of my career in Hong Kong now that the place is opening up more and more,' Asmussen said. 'I would be looking for a position towards the end of my next season in France - towards the end of 1995.' Damien Oliver, the hottest property in Australian riding, dominated from the front to take the Group Two, 1,800-metre International Cup on State Taj from America's River Majesty and the French challenger Volochine and can be expected back for a month around May. 'I'd also like to apply for a three-month licence the following season,' said the 22-year-old Oliver whose youth conceals more than 700 winners. Scotsman Richard Quinn, fourth on Young Ern in the Bowl, and one of the very finest jockeys in Britain, will today contact senior Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club officials about a similar temporary licence for next season. Australian star of the future, the prolific 19-year-old Patrick Payne, out of luck on Rouslan in the Bowl despite a rails-hugging ride, is another name for Club officials to consider. And don't forget the horses.
Red Bishop and Urgent Request, who smashed the 2,400-metre course record to smithereens in the Vase, could well be back to contest the Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 2,200 metres next April. Red Bishop, who knocked 4.1 seconds off Wonderful Way's previous best time of 2:29.2, is off to Dubai and is then likely to return to Hammond's Chantilly yard in the spring. 'We would have to think about coming back,' said Hammond whose successes also include the Arc De Triomphe and the Arlington Million.
Red Bishop's connections also mentioned the plan to Jockey Club chief executive Major General Guy Watkins as did Stewart Aitken and Reg Akehurst, owner and trainer of the gallant Vase runner-up Urgent Request who led the field a merry dance for 2,000 metres of the trip. Local champion River Verdon was a spent force before the home turn in the Vase, possibly feeling the toll of his Melbourne Cup exertions. Jockey John Marshall did not persevere once he was beaten and River Verdon came in eased down in 13th of the 14 runners, beating only the recalcitrant Sterling Town home. 'He'll have a month to six weeks off and will then be prepared for the important end-of-season staying races like the Champions and Chater and the Gold Cup,' trainer David Hill said.
Soviet Line's success in the Group Three, 1,400-metre Bowl, for Sheik Mohammed's brother, Sheik Maktoum Al Maktoum, virtually guarantees another strong Arab presence at the International events next season. Winning Newmarket-based trainer Michael Stoute agreed: 'You have to say they will be firmly on the agenda. 'I had a good look around when I came out here last January and was very impressed with what I saw.
From that day I planned to be represented and will try to be back next season.' The other Arab runner, Heart Lake, was a good third in the Bowl with local favourite Winning Partners a decent sixth without getting the best of runs in the straight. But there was a bitter-sweet note to the end of the International meeting for English riding revelation Darryll Holland.