Viva Pataca Wins Hong Kong's QEII Cup Again
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Viva Pataca holds off all-comers in a tight finish to the QEII Cup at Sha Tin
Viva Pataca became the highest money earner in the history of Hong Kong racing when he scored a stunning win in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (HK-I) at Sha Tin April 25.
Earlier, trainer John Moore won the Champions Mile (HK-I) with Able One, giving him a rare double with Viva Pataca. Remarkably, the same two horses completed the double in 2007. Able Won became the first horse to qualify for this year’s $2 million TVG Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) through the international Breeders’ Cup Challenge series.
The win was the 18th for the 8-year-old Viva Pataca and his 13th victory in Hong Kong. Viva Pataca's eighth group I win was also his second in the APQE II Cup and took his total prize-money earnings to HK$80,232,500. He eclipsed the HK$75,410,500 mark set by 2005 APQEII cup winner Vengeance Of Rain.
The performances of Hong Kong's stars was a further bonus on a day which saw turnover climb to HK$1.085 billion, significant rise on HK$912 million in 2009.
Viva Pataca was placed in fourth in the early going by jockey Weichong Marwing while in touch with the Japanese leader Never Bouchon, who crawled through the first 1,200 meters in 1:18.2. He loomed up to the leaders straightening and ran home the last 400 meters in :22.19, giving the backmarkers no chance of overhauling him.
Lizard's Desire and Super Satin, coming from midfield, followed for second and third, finishing just ahead of the front-runner Never Bouchon.