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Defending champion California Memory, sent to post as the betting favorite at odds of 2.3, stormed to the front of the pack and cruised to victory in the 2012 Group 1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin.
Zaidan, sent off at odds of 6.4, broke well from the gate and sat a couple of lengths off early leader Dan Excel (IRE). Feuerblitz (GER) made a move early to pull himself to the front of the pack. California Memory secured a good position in 4th right along the rail. Despite a very slow early pace, the winner was content to let the race unfold before coming with his winning move inside the final quarter mile. When it came time to run towards the judge, California Memory power away from his rivals to win by a length at the wire.
Giofra (GB) closed hard to place second while Alcopop (AUS) closed from dead last to grab 3rd.
California Memory is a six-year-old son of Highest Honor (FR) out of a Spinning World mare, Kalpita, trained by Tony Cruz and ridden by Matthew Chadwick.
Below is the replay, payouts, fractions and internal splits for the Hong Kong Cup.
【HKIR】CALIFORNIA MEMORY won the 2012 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (via HKJC)
All payouts are converted to US$.
Horse | Win | Place |
2-California Memory | $3.55 | $1.81 |
13-Giofra (GB) |
$7.94 | |
4-Alcopop (AUS) |
$7.10 |
Distance | Fractions | Internal Splits |
1/4: | 26.67 | 26.67 |
1/2: | 52.59 | 25.92 |
3/4: | 1:17.42 | 24.83 |
Mile: | 1:40.25 | 22.83 |
1 1/4: | 2:03.09 | 22.84 |