Vengeance Of Rain Crowned World Champion After Sensational Hong Kong Cup Victory

Outstanding galloper, Vengeance Of Rain (NZ) (Zabeel x Danelagh) provided one of the highlights of the Hong Kong International Meeting when successful in the Gr.1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin yesterday.

The David Ferraris trained runner carried the hopes of Hong Kong as he took on a classy field which included the likes of Alexander Goldrun, Pride, Maraahel and Epalo.

Vengeance Of Rain was perfectly ridden by Anthony Delpech, racing closer to the speed than usual when settling fifth, with American raider, Willow O Wisp setting only a moderate tempo in front. The son of Zabeel angled into the clear at the top of the straight and despite a late charge from French mare, Pride, Vengeance Of Rain never looked like being beaten. Maraahel finished well for third, while Russian Pearl (NZ) (Soviet Star x Velinda) turned in an amazing performance for fourth, having not raced for six months since suffering a tendon injury.

Vengeance Of Rain was crowned World Racing Series champion after his outstanding victory in front of a 44,000 strong crowd, having already tasted success in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup last April. Owner Raymond Gianco Chow Hon-man collected the trophy for the World Racing Championship to join a list of illustrious champions.

Cup winning jockey Anthony Delpech was understandably ecstatic with his win. "He is the best horse I've ever ridden and I don't think I'll ever ride one like him again. Horses like him come round just once in a blue moon. We found a nice position one off the fence and he was cantering at the final turn and he really fought hard. He has it all; class and courage."

Trainer David Ferraris was similarly and justifiably effusive. "He's such a star, isn't he? I think there is still more improvement in him, too. The owners have asked me not to race him in Dubai so we will target the Hong Kong Gold Cup, the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup and the Champions & Chater," he said.

Vengeance Of Rain is a graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock's Premier Yearling Sale, sold for NZ$300,000 in 2002 to leading Trans Tasman trainer, Graeme Rogerson. After initially racing in Australia as Subscribe, the son of Zabeel was on sold to Hong Kong, where he has amassed an incredible record, with victories in the Derby, QE II Cup and Champions & Chater Cup seeing him rated Hong Kong's Champion Middle Distance Performer and Champion Stayer of season 2004-05. In the absence of sprinting sensation, Silent Witness, Vengeance Of Rain has quickly taken the mantle as the Hong Kong hero.

Earlier on the card, wonder mare, Ouija Board (Cape Cross x Selection Board) showed too much dash for her rivals under a brilliant ride from Kieran Fallon to take the Gr.1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (2400m). It was the fourth Group One victory for the dual derby winning daughter of Cape Cross, a sire that formerly shuttled to Cambridge Stud. New Zealand Bloodstock's National Yearling Sales, commencing on January 30, sees Cape Cross well represented across the three Sales Sessions, with 19 yearlings by the son of Green Desert to be sold through the Premier Sale, while a further 19 will feature in the Select Sale and 3 in the Festival Sale.

Former South Island galloper, Best Gift (NZ) (Bahhare x Shock Attack) continued his meteoric rise, finishing third to Ouija Board in the Vase. The son of Bahhare was offered at the 2002 Select Colts Yearling Sale.

New Zealand Bloodstock graduate, The Duke (Danehill x Mer du Sud) placed in the Hong Kong International Mile for the second successive year, finishing a brave second to Japanese visitor, Hat Trick. The Duke was purchased for NZ$200,000 at the 2001 Premier Yearling Sale and a half sister by O'Reilly will be offered at Karaka 2006 through the draft of Haunui Farm.

Rising stars, Thistle King (NZ) (Anziyan x Miss Petite) and All's Well (City On A Hill x Alot of Music) fought out the finish of the Class 3 Dublin Handicap (1400m), with the John Size trained Thistle King prevailing narrowly to take his record to 4 wins from 4 starts.

Thistle King is a graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock's Festival Yearling Sale, purchased by Tauranga trainer, Del Roberts for $14,000 in 2003. All's Well is a graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock's 2004 Ready To Run Sale, sold to Tommy Cheung for NZ$40,000.