Ramonti romps to Hong Kong Cup

Hong Kong: Ramonti capped an amazing year by stepping up to win the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup, confirming his status as one of the very best horses on the planet.

Under a savvy ride by Frankie Dettori, the European champion miler beat some impressive opponents in his first time out at a mile-and-a-quarter and will now be entered for the $6 million (Dh22.5 million) Dubai World Cup in March.

Despite Ramonti trying to force an early slowish pace, the Italian jockey settled his mount nicely and then positioned the Godolphin horse well, keeping odds-on local favourite Viva Pataca looking for room.

Two furlongs out, the five-year-old picked up the lead and, as has been seen so many times this season, was never going to relinquish it in the finish.

Afterwards trainer Saeed Bin Surour revealed the Godolphin team had expected a big performance from Ramonti, who stays in training next year.

He said: "As he matured it looked as though the horse needed more distance and so we ran him over a mile-and-a-half for the first time and he showed his ability.

Big performance

"I think in the future we will campaign him over 10 furlongs.

"We were hoping for a big performance because he arrived in Dubai in early November and has worked very well over the last month at home.

"He carried that on here in Hong Kong and when you've got a very tough, professional horse like him, plus a brilliant ride by Frankie, then you always have a good chance."

Dettori added: "My arms are definitely bit longer after trying to pull him back early on! But you know that Ramonti is one of the bravest horses I've ever ridden and when I set him alight I knew it would take a real good opponent to beat him.

"It's been a great year for me winning the Epsom Derby, then riding Europe's champion miler who is one of the best horses in the world and now this. For Ramonti to win four Group Ones in a season is a fantastic effort.

"Saeed did so well in training him and I'm also pleased for everyone at Godolphin. We may have had a slow start to the year but we've ended it with a real bang."

The boys in blue had earlier came agonisingly close to scoring another Group One winner with Creachadoir who was just touched off by local hope Good Ba Ba after a thrilling finish in the Hong Kong Mile.

Tremendous

Creachadoir's tremendous effort came despite being drawn in stall 12 of 13 with connections considering tilts at the Dubai Duty Free and a return to the former colony for the the Champions Mile in April.

Bin Surour said: "He's a good horse and we like him. He will continue to improve and the mile suits him."

In the other two Group One encounters, local sprint champion Sacred Kingdom lived up to his billing when he obliged in the manner of a short priced favourite easily taking the Hong Kong Sprint, with an off-colour Miss Andretti failing to provide the hotly-anticipated challenge.

Doctor Dino took the mile-and-a-half Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase ahead of Dubai Carnival star Quijano with favourite Dylan Thomas providing no challenge.

Now both Doctor Dino and Quijano will be aimed at the $5 million (Dh18.75 million) Sheema Classic on World Cup night.