Irian takes Hong Kong Cup prep

Irian rallied late to win the Group 2, $387,000 Jockey Club Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday, thus presenting himself as a key contender for the Hong Kong Cup on Dec. 12.

Trained by Hong Kong’s all-time winningest trainer John Moore and ridden by Brett Prebble, the 3.55-1 Irian came form ninth in the 11-runner field to defeat Packing Winner by 1 3/4 lengths while traveling the 1 1/4 miles on good to firm ground in 2:02.11. King Dancer was third, 1 1/4 lengths farther back, with Super Satin fourth and Collection fifth.

A German-bred son of Tertullian, Irian had won the 2009 German 2000 Guineas when trained by Jens Hirschberger and owned by his breeders at Gestut Schlenderhan, for whom he also finished third in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly. Purchased privately a year ago by Siu Pak Kwan, Irian was gelded in March after his third Hong Kong start. Two outings later he landed a 1 1/8-mile handicap at Happy Valley and was most recently second in a 1 1/8-mile handicap at Sha Tin on Oct. 17.