Dominant reasserts his claim on Hong Kong Derby
20th February 2012
Winning at Newmarket in June 2011
The ex-Highclere owned Dominant finished third in yesterday’s Group 1 Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin.
Having his second start in Hong Kong, the four-year-old past the post one and a half lengths behind stable mate Zaidan who won a Listed race at Royal Ascot in 2010. Sweet Orange was unlucky in running finishing a nose second. On this occasion, Dominant was ridden by Neil Callan who has now ridden the horse on five occasions both in Hong Kong and the UK.
Dominant was trained by Roger Varian for his two and three-year-old career in the UK and won the £150,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-y-o Cup at Newmarket last July by five lengths. He was then sold to Hong Kong trainer John Moore as a Hong Kong Derby hope. Moore said after the race, “He just needed to be held up. He was a victim of circumstances last time but today he settled in behind and closed off. Neil got off and said this is the one they have to beat in the Derby.”