Prebble strikes it Lucky in the Sprint as HK dominates

Lucky Nine got the better of a titanic struggle with fellow Hong Kong runners Entrapment and Joy And Fun to maintain the complete home domination of the G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint.

History now relates that Hong Kong speedsters have won nine of the last ten renewals but none of the previous speed battles can have been quite as exciting as today’s stretch war. The Caspar Fownes-trained, Brett Prebble-ridden Lucky Nine grabbed the huge prize by a head, with the judge unable to divide Entrapment or popular veteran Joy And Fun.

As the early front-runners – including Rocket Man – the world’s second highest-rated sprinter – started to run out of gas it was Douglas Whyte who kicked for home on Entrapment.

With Joy And Fun joining in the battle, the three speedsters were locked together for what seemed like an age until Prebble urged the versatile 2011 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Mile winner to the front.

Special credit must go to the super gallant Derek Cruz-trained Joy And Fun who survived a career-threatening injury at Royal Ascot in 2010 whilst the favourite Little Bridge also gets plenty of credit for his 4th placing.

Curren Chan ran best of the Japanese raiders in 5th with Bated Breath leading the Europeans in 8th. Rocket Man, who like Bated Breath fired to dispute the early pace from a wide gate, was ultimately a big disappointment finishing 12th as was dual Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint winner Sacred Kingdom, unable to get into the late action this year finishing only tenth.

Of the winner, a popular second favourite, an ecstatic Prebble said: “We missed the kick slightly and I was on the back foot from the start. Joy And Fun took me a bit wide on the turn but this horse is all heart and 100% credit to Caspar who couldn’t have had him any better. He has the stamina to go further but this horse never shirks a challenge.”

The jockeys of the two dead-heaters also heaped praise on their mounts. Whyte said of Entrapment: “A terrific effort. There was nothing in it at the finish.” Brett Doyle said: “Joy And Fun has run out of his skin. Just a super effort.”
                                     

RESULT - 2011 CATHAY PACIFIC HONG KONG SPRINT- G1

1200m / 6f

9th LEG GLOBAL SPRINT CHALLENGE

TRACK: Good  To Firm