Lemaire warns rivals not to overlook Embroidery in LONGINES Hong Kong Mile

By Maddy Playle

Do not underestimate the three-year-old filly Embroidery in Sunday’s (14 December) G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) was the message from Christophe Lemaire on Tuesday (9 December).

The top rider will hunt for a second victory at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races this weekend, having partnered Pride to success in the 2006 G1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m), and he retains the utmost belief in his mount for the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.

Embroidery will be aiming to become the first of her age and sex to land the coveted HK$36 million prize, but is the standout of her generation, having landed the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas, 1600m) in April and G1 Shuka Sho (2000m) in October.

Lemaire was aboard for the latter effort and, speaking at the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship press event at Tai Kwun in Hong Kong, China, he said: “She’s a very talented filly. She’s the winner of two of the three legs of the Triple Crown for fillies.

“She’s back to a mile and I don’t think that will be a problem for her because she’s got enough speed for that. She won very well last time and she’s got a little weight advantage. It’s a tough task against the best milers in Hong Kong, but she’s talented and a true Group 1 filly, so she’s got her chance.”

The experience could open new doors for the Kazutomo Mori-trained filly, whose sire Admire Mars won the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile in 2019.

“It’s a nice challenge for a three-year-old filly to compete here,” Lemaire added. “It’s her first experience abroad, but let’s see how she reacts. If she travels well to Hong Kong, maybe she will travel somewhere else.”

Lemaire will partner another Classic winner in the HK$26 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m), with last year’s G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger, 3000m) winner Urban Chic aiming to build on a promising fifth in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time.

“I think his best trip is 2400 (metres) or 2500,” the jockey said. “During the spring, he was not at his best, but he looked like he was coming back in condition after his brilliant race in the Tenno Sho, where he finished fifth.

“The jockey was very happy with the horse and I heard that he’s doing very well in training now, and maybe this autumn he will find his best condition. We need to have him at his best to win the race, but I’m quite confident. The distance will definitely help him.”

A return to top form would also see Rousham Park threaten the protagonists in the HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m).

“He has to prove that he’s a top-class horse,” Lemaire said. “He performed very well in America in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1, 2400m) last year, finishing second. I rode him afterwards in Australia, but he ran a bit flat and he struggled to find his true potential.

“I would prefer to see him over a mile-and-a-quarter, over a mile-and-a-half, and I think he was helped by a slow pace at the Breeders’ Cup.”