Blazing Speed wins thrilling Longines Jockey Club Cup

In a thrilling finish, Blazing Speed took the decision by a neck over Military Attack as the first five horses past the post were separated by a distance of less than a length.

Designs Of Rome, the reigning Horse of the Year, came in fifth just three-quarters of a length off the winner, with last year’s winner, Endowing, in third, and California Memory, winner in 2012, fourth.

The Jockey Club Cup was first introduced in 2002 as a lead-up race to the Hong Kong Cup. The race, run over 2000 metres, was promoted to International Group 2 status in 2010 with past winners such as California Memory, Viva Pataca and Vengeance Of Rain ranking among the top horses in Hong Kong’s racing history.

Jockey Neil Callan, who is riding high in joint-third position in the jockeys’ rankings, said Blazing Speed, a two-time winner for James Fanshawe in 2012 and twice a Group 1 winner last season, had reached an even higher level of form this season and would be a force to be reckoned with in the Longines Hong Kong Cup which will be run over the same course and distance in three weeks time.

“He had won Group 1 races over a mile and a mile and a half before today,” Callan said.

“Now he has a Group 2 at ten furlongs so he’s very versatile and very tough.”

Earlier in the day, Cruz enjoyed success with Peniaphobia who won the BOCHK Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint.

Ridden by Douglas Whyte, Peniaphobia, winner of last year’s Weatherbys Super Sprint when trained by Richard Fahey, swept home a half-length ahead of Smart Volatility, with Flagship Shine another length away in third,

Whyte did not have everything go to plan from the widest draw in the 14-runner field as Peniaphobia was caught wide on occasions before quickening emphatically down the home stretch.

Victory in this Group 2 contest for three year olds and run over six furlongs has now put Peniaphobia firmly in contention for next month’s Longines Hong Kong Sprint.

No three-year-old horse has ever claimed December’s Hong Kong Sprint but jockey Whyte indicated that Peniaphobia is now a serious candidate for international honours next month.

“I think Tony can tweak a few things and I think if a similar or a slightly better Peniaphobia can turn up on international day, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with,” said the South African.