California wins HK Cup with Dragon only fourth

Report: Hong Kong, Sunday

Sha Tin: Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (Group 1) 1m2f, 3yo+

CALIFORNIA MEMORY (Tony Cruz/Matt Chadwick) rallied to take the Cup from last year's second Irian and local star Ambitious Dragon only fourth.

Ambitious Dragon, winner of the QEII Cup andHong Kong Derby this year, walked out of the gate but quickly caught the field up as Pure Champion reluctantly led under Gerald Mosse.

Mosse was in no rush on the leader, dawdling in front with German challenger Zazou for company.

The pace eventually began to pick up with three furlongs to run with California Memory poised behind the front two.

Rounding the home turn, Douglas Whyte, back on Ambitious Dragon after jockey Maxime Guyon was criticised for his defeat last time, went for glory and the favourite moved powerfully and dominantly up to a challenging position.

But the move backfired for Whyte as he used up his mount potent finishing kick and found Zazou impossible to pass in front.

Down on the inside California Memory was now asked to go by his rider and the grey shot through to lead and took the victory from the fast-finishing Irian.

Zazou gamely took third to be the first European-trained runner home with Ambitious Dragon fourth and Cirrus Des Aigle fifth.

Cruz said: "This is the race you want to win. I'm lucky to train a horse like him and there's bigger things to come. He will be going for all the big local races but I would also like to go to Singapore and Dubai."

Of fifth placed Cirrus Des Aigles, trainer Corine Barande-Barbe said: "He did less today than he does in a little stretch. He's just not run his race and is hardly blowing.

"[Being a gelding] he can't go to stud so we will be going for a similar campaign next season, including the Champion Stakes again."