Moore delighted with Aethero’s draw in Hong Kong Sprint

- There was a smile on John Moore’s face as he discovered the fate of his latest sensation Aethero at the barrier draw ceremony for Sunday’s Grade 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint over 1200m.

Gate 10 was considered perfect for the master trainer, whose three-year-old has cut a swathe through the division including with his triumph in the Grade 2 Jockey Club Sprint over 1200m last month. “I wanted No 8 to No 10, so it’s not a bad one,” Moore said. “He can be a fraction slow to begin with before he gets into that high tempo. It gives a chance to weigh up the options.

“We hope we’ve got the real deal and with that three-year-old weight allowance, he should be very close.”

John Size has a particularly strong hand in the event with a five-star team headed by the runner-up in the last two editions, DB Pin, breaking from 13 and another rising star in Hot King Prawn, last year’s beaten favourite, across the track in barrier No 1.

“I think they’re drawn according to their chances, really,” Size said. “Hot King Prawn’s in one and they work their way out from there – Beat The Clock (No 3), Full Of Beauty (No 5), Ivictory (No 11),

DB Pin (No 13). I think the gates are pretty important for this event, it’s only a short run to the first turn and the three horses drawn inside will probably get the easiest run.

“DB Pin has been going very, very well but it’s a disappointing gate for him. Ryan Moore will have to be at his best to get something out of him.”

Frankie Lor, when he learned that hat-trick seeking Mr Stunning

would break from barrier two, said: “No problem with the draws for mine. Mr Stunning drew in, which was good.”

Beauty Generation, who is seeking a third consecutive victory in the Grade 1 Hong Kong Mile, is set to break from barrier No 5. John Moore said: “I’m very happy. It should give the opportunity for Ka Ying Star to go to the front .” – Hong Kong Jockey Club