Whyte eyes Queen Mother Memorial Cup with Russian Emperor after skipping QE II

Russian Emperor could step back to Group Three company for the first time since September 2021 in next month’s Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2,400m) before defending his Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) title on May 28.

Eighth in last month’s Group One Dubai Sheema Classic (2,410m), Russian Emperor only completed quarantine this week and he was removed from April 30’s Group One QE II Cup (2,000m) field by trainer Douglas Whyte on Friday.

“There’s a big possibility he’ll go to the Queen Mother, and then the Champions & Chater after that. That’s probably the thought process behind skipping this race – to give him two creditable chances to win. Just that extra week will certainly help him,” Whyte said.

“He came out of quarantine on Tuesday. I obviously sat on him for a gallop while he was in quarantine, and I just don’t think [going to the QE II Cup is] the right preparation.

“He would have run a good race, but I don’t see him winning and I don’t want to jeopardise a run if I’m not going to go there as competitively as possible. It’s an unfortunate situation. It’s a very good race to be representing Hong Kong, but I don’t want to be going there to fill the field.”

While Whyte has his sights set on more Group One glory with his highest-rated horse, he enjoyed success with one of his lowest-rated gallopers at Sha Tin on Saturday.

Apex Top’s mark of 27 left him above only Smiling Face in Whyte’s stable heading into the Class Five Racing For Charity Handicap (1,400m), and the South African was pleased to see him deliver in his fourth run since shifting from Tony Millard’s yard.

“He’s improved substantially just being in a different environment. He’s really grown a leg, and he’s a happy horse,” Whyte said of Apex Top after his two-length victory under Luke Ferraris.

“I probably ran him over 1,200m [previously] because I freshened him up, but today I thought he ran a good race. Just leading all the way, dictating, they didn’t go slow, he went a good gallop, and he really let down and kicked well.

“I’m just glad to get a win out of him for the owners. They’ve been very patient. I think the way he won today would suggest he could win another race. He’s a healthy horse, and he’s really thriving on his new environment.”

Chan the Man in Chau’s absence

Alfred Chan Ka-hei started the day without a ride in the Class Four Positive Ageing Handicap (1,400m) and finished the race with the longest-priced winner of his career thanks to the knockout success of Manfred Man Ka-leung’s $54 chance War Of Courage.

Stepping in for Jerry Chau Chun-lok, who was stood down from his 10 rides on Saturday morning because of a fever, Chan settled War Of Courage outside leader Colonel in a race without any great speed before doing enough late to hold off favourite Red Hare King by half a length.

The win was a welcome one for Chan – his first since January and fourth of the campaign – and it continued a prolific week for trainer Man, taking him to four victories in the past seven days and 30 for the season.

It was only War Of Courage who left Chau grimacing, with the best finish of his other relinquished mounts a fourth from Commanding Missile.

Powerful Yiu, Badel combo delivers again

Trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai and jockey Alexis Badel continued to reward their supporters at Sha Tin, landing their third victory from their past five attempts as a duo in a run that began with Voyage Bubble’s Hong Kong Derby victory.

While backing Powerful Wings wasn’t as profitable as taking the $46 about Voyage Bubble on March 19, the five-year-old was still sent off double figures ($10) for Saturday’s finale, the Class Three Advancing Sports & Culture Handicap (1,600m).

After taking Powerful Wings back from barrier 13, Badel got rolling aboard the son of Kingman from the 850m before travelling outside the leaders straightening for home and proving too strong in the straight to break his Hong Kong maiden at start 15.

The victory saw Yiu move to 47 wins for the campaign and ensured he stayed within five of premiership leader John Size, who also had a single success thanks to the triumph of Golden Express.

With five wins to his name already in April, Badel is on track for his best month of an injury-hampered season, and he has 24 victories overall for the campaign.

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