No Clear Favourite In Hong Kong Cup Betting

Designs On Rome and Military Attack are both available at Hong Kong Cup odds of $3.80 and are locked in a battle for favouritism ahead of the Group 1 event at Sha Tin on Sunday.

Australian hope Criterion is available at double figure odds in 2014 Hong Kong Cup betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Australian hope Criterion is available at double figure odds in 2014 Hong Kong Cup betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Designs On Rome was a narrow favourite in Hong Kong Cup betting markets after he drew ideally in barrier three yesterday, but he has been on the drift in the last six hours and is no longer a clear favourite.

The Holy Roman Emperor entire has not recorded a race in his three race starts this preparation, but he hit the line strongly when fifth in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on November 23 and trainer John Moore is happy with the talented galloper heading into the Group 1 event this weekend.

“This is his fourth run in and he has been doing everything right,” Moore told Racing Ahead this morning.

“Every run has been an improvement and he is going into the race very fit.

“The jockey has reported that he is very fit, you don’t have to do any more with him and we have a very fit horse on our hands.

“From the good gate we know he goes back and we know he is on and off the bit during the race, but he is a very fit horse and he is one of the horses to beat.”

Military Attack was previously prepared by John Moore, but he joined the stable of Casper Fownes after he finishing third behind Dan Excel in the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) at Kranji on May 18.

The Oratorio gelding made his debut for his new stable when he took out the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy (1600m) at Sha Tin on October 26 and he remained close to the top of Hong Kong Cup betting despite being beaten by Blazing Speed in the Group 2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) on November 23.

Farraaj is yet to record a race win at the highest level of racing, but he has been one of the best backed runners in 2014 Hong Kong Cup betting markets and is now into a quote of $6.

The Dubai Destination gelding was forced to do plenty of work throughout the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 1, but was still able to tough it out at the finish for third and on the back of that performance is a genuine winning chance in the Hong Kong Cup.

Japanese galloper Archimedes is the only other horse available at single figure Hong Kong Cup odds, while Blazing Speed is available at a quote of $10 following his Jockey Club Cup victory and Australian hope Criterion has been on the drift out to $12.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.