Akeed Mofeed finds seam in time in HK Cup

Akeed Mofeed capped a memorable day for the home team, which took three of four International Races (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Pan Sutong’s highly-regarded Irish import Akeed Mofeed hadn’t won since the
Hong Kong Derby back in March, but the Richard Gibson trainee once again
delivered on the big occasion in Sunday’s Group 1 Hong Kong Cup. Trapped on the
inside for much of the stretch, Sha Tin maestro Douglas Whyte sensed a seam
developing, and Akeed Mofeed burst through in time to deny Japanese pacesetter
Tokei Halo and French star Cirrus des Aigles. American hopeful Little Mike tired
to ninth after stalking early.

Whyte was capping a coveted Group 1 double, having steered comebacker
Glorious Days to triumph in the Hong Kong Mile one race earlier. Ironically,
Glorious Days had run down Gold-Fun, representing the same connections as Akeed
Mofeed. Whyte subsequently made up to Sutong and Gibson by masterminding the
winning trip in the Cup.

“It’s a great privilege to work with top, professional jockeys like Douglas,”
Gibson said. “I did tell him before the race that I would only forgive him for
the Mile if he won the Cup.”

“It’s been a while between drinks,” said Whyte, a 13-time Hong Kong riding
champion whose only prior International Race win came aboard Indigenous in the
1998 Vase. “But good things come to those who are patient. I needed a day like
this again.”

Akeed Mofeed collared Japan’s Tokei Halo, and gave jockey Douglas Whyte his second Group 1 on the card (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Whyte angled his mount to the newfound daylight, and the race was over.
Quickening stylishly on the proverbial dime, Akeed Mofeed pulled one length
clear in a final time of 2:01 4/5 for about 1 1/4 miles.

“It was a bit tight,” Whyte recapped. “I didn’t really want to leave the
fence, but shortly after the Japanese horse (Tokei Halo) rolled off the inside,
he rolled back again. And Christophe (Soumillon on Cirrus des Aigles) had me
very snug on the outside, but his horse gave way and I was able to ease back a
half length and come to the outside.”

Gibson hailed Akeed Mofeed as a “big race” performer.

“All credit to him,” the trainer said.

Tokei Halo kept on doggedly for runner-up honors, a half-length ahead of
Cirrus des Aigles and the closing Military Attack, who came up a whisker short
of third.

Whyte thanks Akeed Mofeed for having the gears to get out of a tight spot (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Cirrus des Aigles’ connections observed that he didn’t run up to his absolute
best.

“He doesn’t act here quite like he does on the softer ground in France,”
Soumillon said. “I had a good trip considering our outside draw (post 10). He
just didn’t quicken enough.”

“We regret the bad draw he got,” trainer Corine Barande-Barbe said, “because
he was wide without cover in the early stages and that must have cost him
something at the end. But we’re very proud of him and hopefully we will be back
next year to try again.”

Military Attack hasn’t quite rounded into his rip-roaring form, according to
jockey Zac Purton.

“He’s not at his best form at the moment and he couldn’t quite catch up at
the end,” Purton said.

Great Britain’s Side Glance checked in fifth, followed by Blazing Speed,
fellow Brit Grandeur, German shipper Neatico, Little Mike, Same World, Endowing
and Rainbow Chic.

Little Mike had trouble with the right-handed turn for home.

“He traveled really well for me,” Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith said. “I was
in a great position and he was good and relaxed. I pulled him out on the turn
but he just didn’t handle it. He ran really wide and it cost me so much ground.
I should have stayed inside, but I might not have got a run.”

Akeed Mofeed takes his victory lap before pondering international ventures (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Exported to Hong Kong, Akeed Mofeed was a red-hot prospect for the local
Derby. Gibson put his new recruit on that trail, commencing with a third in a
January 12 handicap and a fast-finishing sixth in the February 17 Hong Kong
Classic Cup. After a commanding 2 1/2-length display in a March 2 handicap, Akeed Mofeed justified favoritism in the March 17 Derby. He next tried an
international field in the April 28 Queen Elizabeth II Cup, but checked in fifth
to Military Attack.

Akeed Mofeed didn’t put his best foot forward in his first two outings of the
new Hong Kong season this fall. Ninth in the October 1 National Day Cup and
seventh in the October 27 Sha Tin Trophy, he rebounded with a near-miss to
Endowing in the November 17 Jockey Club Cup. Akeed Mofeed was primed for a
career-best on Sunday, thus turning the tables on both Military Attack and
Endowing, and raising his sights for glory further afield.

“He’s a very well-bred colt,” Gibson said. “He needed international Group 1
recognition and he’s achieved that today. He’s a very talented horse with a stud
future ahead of him and racing abroad beckons, but we’ll consider our options
before finalizing any plans.”