The Press

Hong Kong still on for Todd’s charge

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He’s Eminent is pressing on to Hong Kong despite a shock lacklustre performanc­e against the world champion Winx at Randwick on Saturday.

He’s Eminent beat just one of the nine runners home in the A$4 million Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), finishing 161⁄2 lengths from Winx. But his connection­s, trainer Sir Mark Todd and owners Sir Peter Vela and Hubie de Burgh, have decided to take the gamble and continue on to the Gr.1 QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.

‘‘He’s going to Hong Kong on Sunday and will run in the QE II Cup the following Sunday,’’ Todd said. ‘‘He seems to have come through the race very well. Mind you he didn’t even have a race. He only lost one kilo.

‘’I’ve had him checked out and there’s nothing wrong so we’ve just got to put Saturday’s race behind us.’’

He’s Eminent, a five-year-old son of the unbeaten champion Frankel, was expected to be one of the main runner-up contenders in the race after finishing a strong second in his debut for Todd in the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.

He was expected to make the pace in Winx’s farewell, as he had done in the Ranvet Stakes before being run down by Avilius. But he ambled out of the stalls and failed to get to the front in spite of the urgings of rider James McDonald.

Todd was devastated by the disappoint­ing performanc­e and all he can put the failure down to is the addition of ear muffs.

He’s Eminent’s performanc­e in Hong Kong will be the decider on whether or not he returns to England with Todd for further racing.

While He’s Eminent will head to Hong Kong in the care of former New Zealand jockey Bruce Herd, Todd returns to England between times to sneak in some preparatio­n to compete at the Badminton Horse Trials.

A dual Olympic gold medallist and world champion eventer, Todd has been riding He’s Eminent in some of his work, but he admits he is lacking preparatio­n for Badminton.

‘’I’m heading home today (Monday) and will ride this week in a competitio­n,’’ he said. ‘’Badminton is the following week after Hong Kong so it’s a busy time for me.’’Todd’s mount for Badminton, which begins on May 1, is the 17-year-old NZB Campino, who is owned by Vela. Todd has won Badminton on four occasions.

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