Brilliant
mare Ouija Board was all class as she came from last to first for a
decisive victory in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase, the first event
of the international spectacular at Sha Tin on Sunday.
It was the second straight victory for a British runner in the Vase
- the fifth overall in 12 editions - and Ouija Board's success mirrored
that of Phoenix Reach last year. She ran fifth in the Japan Cup two
weeks ago while Phoenix Reach was sixth in the same race prior to his
Vase success in 2004.
Settled far behind a very slow tempo set by Saturn at the half mile
pole, Ouija Board the dual Oaks and Breeders' Cup winner last season,
crept to mid-pack and was travelling sweetly for jockey Kieren Fallon
as she turned for home.
But for a moment it looked as if the pair would be frustrated for run
as Hong Kong chance Best Gift kept him in a pocket. However, a gap appeared
inside and Europe's Horse of the Year for 2004 emerged with matchless
speed and had the race won in a matter of strides.
Ouija Board won by two and three-quarters of a length from Six Sense
from Japan with Hong Kong's Best Gift in third. Race favourite Westerner
disappointed, finishing a one-paced fifth.
"They went very slow but I wanted to hold onto her longer than
I did in Japan when probably I went too soon. She has a lot of speed
and I knew that she would be able to quicken past them. I just needed
to the get the gaps and they opened for me," said Fallon.
"It's a pity it's too late to become Horse of the Year again,"
said the owner, Lord Derby, "she's an amazing filly. She has Group
One races on three continents now."
Plans for Ouija Board's future remain open but trainer Ed Dunlop said:
"I would be surprised if she is retired just yet."
"Kieren and I said that we should have her in about 6th place and
he was out the back so I was cursing him a bit," recalled trainer
Ed Dunlop with a smile, "but he knew was he was doing once again."
Kieren Fallon -Ouija Board -'She was unlucky in Japan.
She came too soon but we got the splits today and won well. She has
a lot of speed and acceleration. She's looked after me yet again.'
Ed Dunlop -trainer Ouija Board - 'It' was a difficult
first half of the season but all's well now. I was cursing him (Fallon)
during the race, worried that he was in the wrong position but he got
it right. '
Lord Derby -owner Ouija Board - 'Absolutely fantastic.
She's now won on three continents. Thank you Cathay Pacific! We'll see
how she travels back to Europe before we discuss her future plans. It's
sad that it's too late for her to be Horse of the Year.'
Olivier Peslier -Westerner -"The ground was
much too fast and he just couldn't pick up.'
Thierry Gillet -Sweet Stream -"No openings,
no openings...she just did not get a go at them.'
John Hammond -trainer -"She's been stopped twice,
and did well to finish where she did."
Richard Hughes -Reefscape -'When they quickened they
left him behind but he was coming on again at the finish.'
Frankie Dettori -Cherry Mix -'No excuses. Finished
back in that pack where it just doesn't matter, does it. The ground
was too firm.'
Martin Dwyer -Norse Dancer -'I couldn't get him through
the gap when I wanted. It just closed on me.'
Eric Legrix -Samando -'I was hoping that I could
finish fourth. That was the best I might achieve because there was no
pace but she was still only beaten a length by Westerner and that's
not bad.'
Christophe Soumillon -Shamdala -" My filly ran
well, but I was behind Cherry Mix with nowhere to go. I tried to follow
Ouija Board through, but by then it was too late."
Trainer Alain de Royer Dupre added " She hasn't
had a race today. I think she could have been second with the luck her
way."
Jamie Spencer -Warrsan -'Just disappointing. That's
it.'
Robbie Fradd -Saturn -'He ran his heart out. He has
run very well against some of the best in the world here.'
Hirofumi Shii -Six Sense -"The horse was very
relaxed before race but he was getting intense at the starting gates
and that's why he didn't start smoothly. I know the pace would be slow
and my horse wanted to go faster. The horse answered me very well but
he didn't have any left after hard run. I think my horse ran very well."
Hiroyuki Nagahama -trainer Six Sense -'The pace was
set very slow but so my horse wanted to go faster in the earlier stages
but it was a good time for the jockey to push at him but the horse showed
very impressive late kick in the stretch."
Douglas Whyte - Best Gift - 3rd - "He's run
a good race, no complaints at all."
