QEII nominations Hong Kong.

Archipenko targets his second QEII Cup

SOUTH Africa is represented by 11 nominees for the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (Group 1) over 2000m at Sha Tin on Sunday 26 April.



Fifty-eight foreign horses from 13 countries and 22 Hong Kong horses were nominated at first-entry stage on 12 March. They include seven from the Mike de Kock stable, including last year's winner Archipenko, and four trained by Herman Brown.

Archipenko was a trifle disappointing and finished a place behind Bankable in sixth in the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night at Nad Al Sheba at the end of March, having won the Zabeel Mile in his previous start.

De Kock had few excuses for their runs: "Archipenko and Bankable had to chase Gladiatorus in the Duty Free and as a result didn’t have much to come late in the race. At very best Archipenko could have finished second or third to Gladiatorus, who is arguably the best turf horse in the world over 1600m to 1800m," he was quoted as saying after the race.

Eagle Mountain has injured a suspensory ligament and will probably have to RSVP no to the Hong Kong date, as might Russian Sage, who bled in the Sheema Classic that night.

The entries are: (Overseas Horses (58): SAF (11) - Archipenko (USA) 5h (Mike de Kock); Bankable (IRE) 5h (Mike de Kock); Biarritz (SAF) 6h (Mike de Kock); Eagle Mountain (GB) 5h (Mike de Kock); Front House (IRE) 4f (Mike de Kock); Jay Peg (SAF) 5h (Herman Brown); King Of Rome (IRE) 4c (Mike de Kock); Kings Gambit (SAF) 4g (Herman Brown); Russian Sage (SAF) 5h (Mike de Kock); Strategic News (AUS) 5h (Herman Brown); Traffic Guard (USA) 4c (Herman Brown). AUS (10) - Barbaricus (AUS) 4g; Largo Lad (AUS) 4g; Master O'Reilly (NZ) 6g; Mentality (AUS) 5g; Niconero (AUS) 7g; Pompeii Ruler (AUS) 6g; Raheeb (AUS) 5h; Road to Rock (AUS) 4h; Tuesday Joy (NZ) 5m; Zagreb (AUS) 4c. FR (7) - Chinchon (IRE) 4c; Doctor Dino (FR) 7h; Gloria de Campeao (BRZ) 6h; Kachgai (IRE) 6g; La Boum (GER) 6m; Loup Breton (IRE) 5h; The Bogberry (USA) 4c. GB (5) - Charlie Farnsbarns (IRE) 5h; City Leader (IRE) 4c; Dansant (GB) 5h; Illustrious Blue (GB) 6h; Presvis (GB) 5g. GER (1) - Quijano (GER) 7g. ITY (1) - Farrel (IRE) 4c. JPN (9) - Delta Blues (JPN) 8h; Jaguar Mail (JPN) 5h; Pop Rock (JPN) 8h; Portofino (JPN) 4f; Sakura Mega Wonder (JPN) 6h; Tall Poppy (JPN) 4f; Tascata Sorte (JPN) 5h; Tosen Captain (JPN) 5h; Vodka (JPN) 5m. KSA (1) - Deem (IRE) 4f. NOR (1) - Echoes Rock (GER) 6g. NZ (1) - Red Ruler (NZ) 4g. QAT (1) - Logic Way (USA) 5h. UAE (7) - Alexandros (GB) 4c; Balius (IRE) 6h; Blue Ksar (FR) 6h; Creachadoir (IRE) 5h; Kirklees (IRE) 5h; Lady Marian (GER) 4f; Mashaahed (GB) 6h. USA (3) - Artiste Royal (IRE) 8r; Ferneley (IRE) 5h; Medici Code (GB) 5g.

Local Horses (22): Arion Of Chiu Ton (IRE) 4c; Beauty Forever (AUS) 4g; Best Friend (AUS) 5g; Bullish Cash (NZ) 6g; Collection (IRE) 4g; Ever Bright (NZ) 6g; Eyshal (IRE) 5g; Fearless (SAF) 5g; Hawkes Bay (GB) 7g; Helene Mascot (IRE) 5h; Jackpot Delight (NZ) 5g; Jamesina (AUS) 5g; Legend Of Colour (NZ) 4g; More Bountiful (NZ) 4g; Packing Winner (NZ) 6g; Really Happy (IRE) 5h; Roma Pegasus (AUS) 4g; Sight Winner (NZ) 5g; Thumbs Up (NZ) 4g; Unique Jewellery (NZ) 4g; Viva Macau (FR) 6h; Viva Pataca (GB) 7g.

Group One winners: 21.

Where is JJ ?

england with the queen

Presvis among star list of QEII Cup entries


THE Luca Cumani-trained Presvis is among a star-studded list of entries for the HK$14m (£1,231,156) Group 1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup over 1m2f at Sha Tin on April 26.

Presvis put up a career best performance last time out when flashing home late to claim second place behind Gladiatorus in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba last month.

Archipenko could defend his QEII Cup crown afterbeing entered by his trainer Mike De Kock, while last year's third Viva Pataca will bid to regain the prize he won in 2007.

There is yet to be an American-trained winner of the race but Artiste Royal, winner of the Grade 1 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park last year, could line up for Neil Drysdale, while Hong Kong Derby runner-up Thumbs Up could also be in the final field.

Good Ba Ba is also set to defend his Champion Mile crown on the same day after appearing among the entries for the HK$12m (£1,051,281) Group 1 event.

He could once again face Egyptian Ra, who sprang a shock when defeating Good Ba Ba and Viva Pataca in the Group 1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup lasttime, and the former William Haggas-trained Hong Kong Derby winner Collection.

Godolphin could be represented by Dubai Duty Free third Alexandros while six-time Group 1 winner Sir Slick could line up for New Zealand.

Group 1 Audemars Piguet QEII Cup, 1m2f, Sha Tin, April 26
Entries as of April 8, 2009: Viva Pataca, Archipenko, Presvis, Niconero, Packing Winner, Artiste Royal, Chinchon, Thumbs Up, Bullish Cash, Viva Macau, Roma Pegasus, Danesis

Group 1 Champions Mile, 1m, Sha Tin, April 26
Entries as of April 8, 2009: Good Ba Ba, Egyptian Ra, More Bountiful, Alexandros, Armada, Fellowship, Imbongi, Collection, Sight Winner, Dao Dao, Sir Slick, Unique Jewellery, Gem Of Chiu Ton