CHAMPION ALMOND EYE GOES OUT IN STYLE

By Jack Petley | Monday, November 30, 2020

There were some memorable winners yesterday around the racing world. Almond Eye won the Japan Cup and now is retired; that tough son of Zeb, Count Zero, outstayed his rivals over that 4600 test in the Jericho Cup in Australia and Darci Brahma's son Sky Darci ever so impressive at Sha Tin.

Almond Eye retires with nine Grade 1 wins to her credit and a massive 1,915,263,900 yen surpassing the record held previously by Kitasan Black. The great mare hit the front and then held out the star three-year-olds, Contrail and Daring Tact ever so easily. The win gave Christophe Lemaire his third Japan Cup and trainer, Sakae Kunieda, his second. Contrail had his odds eased for the Arc next year to 14-1. He tried ever so gamely but was down by one-and-a-quarter-lengths at the line. Betting on the race was the highest for some 20 odd years or so.

"A Kiwi bred Zed, he's as tough as nails," So stated Symon Wilde after Count Zero had taken out the Jericho Cup for Luke Williams. "I love the concept of the race," said Wilde. "It has great depth and meaning, and it is a real honour to win it." The Jericho Cup is the brainchild of historian Bill Gibbons to commemorate a three-mile race held in the desert in Palastine during World War 1. The original winner was the Australian warhorse, Bill the Bastard.

What a great few years for Zed, now at the famous Kiwi studfarm, Grangewilliam. At one stage he was sent to the South Island earlier in his stud career through lack of bookings. He certainly has made a great comeback with sons and daughters like Verry Elleegant, Irish Flame, Zed Em, and Survived.

Sky Darci could not have been more impressive when taking the Chevalier Cup at Sha Tin for top trainer Casper Fownes. It was his first try at 1600 metres and he now comes into favour for the rich Hong Kong Mile with Fownes also likely to saddle up Enrich Delight in the event. "He will have a bit of a freshen before the Mile," said Fownes.

Later in the day Fownes won with the former Godolphin galloper Enrich Delight (formerly Chenier) who scored a dazzling win for Moreira, who gained a treble on the day. "I told Joao some time back that I thought this horse could be something special," said the top trainer. "He is very smart."

David Hayes was on the board yesterday with Super Axion, a son of Exceed and Excel. The Australian bred three-year-old was taken out of the 2018 MM sale on the Gold Coast and his second dam is Goodwood March, dam of two-time Hong Kong Gr1 winner, Gold Fun. Hayes is now getting his strong team together after a slow start.

Meantime in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Jockey Club has decided to close all off-course betting branches from December 2 until further notice because of the Covid 19 virus being still at large.

Richard Jolly has Behemoth back in work and the trainer is already eyeing off the All-Star Mile in Melbourne. I note too that Il Paradiso is back in work with Chris Waller after such a long time off following a leg injury some two years back. Waller says the son of Galileo looks ever so well and he is already talking of majors like the Sydney Cup and the Tancred.

Te Awamutu trainer Clayton Chipperfield has the news that his star galloper Catalyst is in wonderful order, spelling at The Oaks Stud after his return from Australia and overcoming niggling problems. "I went out to the Oaks the other day he is looking a picture. He's put on plenty of condition, is bright and shiny in his coat and is thoroughly enjoying himself." Chipperfield said though that he would look at January before making a move to have the star return to the stable. "We will do all the tests to make certain he is 100 per cent. He just needs time. But he is worth waiting form," said Chipperfield who was successful with the Proisir four-year-old mare London Bound at Wanganui on the weekend.