When the Tim Martin-trained Sasa took its place in the Group 1 Crown Oaks at Flemington today [Thursday], there were many in Hong Kong closely watching its run after it’s great effort over the weekend.
After all, the horse is owned by Hong Kong-based Simon Kwok Siu-ming, Chairman and CEO of Sa Sa International Holdings Limited, a really passionate horse owner and whose beauty brand being possibly the only sponsor of race days in Hong Kong that brings real fashions on to the fields to the Shatin racecourse on the annual Sa Sa Ladies Purse Day.
Ridden by Corey Brown, the Enconsta De Lago 3-year-old filly and second favourite, pulled and tugged, refused to settle, was caught three wide and forced itself to the front and had suddenly opened up a 6 length lead over the second horse in the race- the favourite and eventual winner Brazilian Pulse ridden by Craig Williams- and who is having a great Spring Carnival.
As for Sasa, of course, the horse was a sitting duck and a spent force after that run yet still ended up running fifth.
We understand that owner Kwok Siu-ming, who races a number of horses, especially with the Tony Cruz stable- Hello Pretty, the winner of his own race a few years back comes to mind- plans to have the horse race in Hong Kong. As long as he brings support systems like the ones below, we don’t care.
Watching Sasa’s run in the Oaks, we could not help but feel- or feel but help- that this is a horse most suitable to a mile or 1800 metres. The distance of The Oaks was “a big ask”.
Meanwhile, word around Melbourne are the extremely quiet runs “enjoyed” these days by the tables of David Hayes and Lee Freeman and the marijuana found in Jimmy Cassidy’s system.
That familiar battle cry of “Ring-a-ding-ding, The Pumper Is King” is somewhat muted these days and one has to wonder what fate awaits a jock who can be very very good and very very bad and once had all that might and power- and vision and power. These days, the vision might be a tad impaired.
His ride in the Melbourne Cup is still talked about, especially, when nearly all in Oz knew that he was trying his best to get off the Gai Waterhouse-trained and John Singleton-owned Once We Were Wild to ride the Cup race’s runner-up, Mahluckyday.Would “The Pumper” have made a difference to the outcome of the race? Not one iota.
On the subject of the Melbourne Cup, everyone has their opinions and racing Stewards around the world are a law unto themselves.
But, honestly, fining Gerard Mosse a measly AUS$300 for blowing kisses to the crowd when caught up in the moment of enjoying his win in the Cup and when there was no way Americian could have been beaten was, to us, very much on the churlish side- and quite a merde thing to do. Oui, Gerard, mon ami?
Sometimes, we would love to strap some of these stewards onto the saddle of a horse and let them see what split second decisions they make during the course of a race- and with jockeys and trainers sitting in judgment and watching their rides.
Role reversals are great for sex, so why not horse racing?
Totally agree about the stewards slapping Mosse with a fine! Petty people with a little bit of power. Get rid of them all. They do horse racing a disservice. Get rid of The pumper, too. Never been good for the game!
I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that Black Caviar would beat Sacred Kingdom. She’s obviously something special, but Sacred Kingdom has been idling out in front since he came back from his hoof injury a while ago. There’s clear evidence of that in the January (I think) race where he swept the field in a few strides and just held the margin to the line (with Sunny King in second), and I’m sure the HK Sprint was a similar situation. Prebble has wisened up and showed him the whip v Sweet Sanette this year to the line.