Dubai Formidable South African handler Mike de Kock chases a third Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (G1) victory at Sha Tin on Sunday with Ertijaal, a horse who was campaigned at the highest level during the Dubai World Cup Carnival culminating in his fourth place finish in the $6million (Dh22 million) Dubai Turf (G1).
Ertijaal, who will race in the colours of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, faces 12 rivals headed by 2015 winner Blazing Speed.
The 2016 APQEII Cup carries a total purse of HK$20 million (Dh9.5 million), 110 times more than was offered 30 years ago when, in April 1986, the field lined up to compete for HK$180,000.
De Kock has previously sampled success in the race with Irridescence in 2006 and Archipenko in 2008 while Godolphin, the Dubai-owned stable who are not represented this year, have also won the race twice with Red Bishop in 1995 and Overbury the following year..
The race is the first of Hong Kong’s four international Group 1 highlights this spring.
The field includes an exciting trio from Japan, featuring dual Group 1 victor Lovely Day, Ireland’s Hong Kong Vase hero Highland Reel, Australia’s Rising
Romance and locally based Designs On Rome, in the Sha Tin showpiece which is the world’s ninth-highest rated race.
Ertijaal is a multiple winner in South Africa from 1400m to 2000m including the 2015 Grade 1 Cape Derby (2000m).
He was also a notable second to French Navy in Grade 1 Daily News 2000 (2000m).
Raced in Dubai during the Carnival he was second to stablemate Forries Waltz in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya, third to Godolphin’s Tryster in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) and finally fourth behind Real Steel in the Group 1 Dubai Turf (1800m) on Dubai World Cup night on March 26.
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