Nautical Force out to confirm promise in G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup staying test

By Paul Ryding

Nautical Force will look to build on a striking debut success when he steps up to 2400 metres in Sunday’s (3 May) G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup Handicap at Sha Tin, with trainer John Size and rider Karis Teetan confident there is more to come.

The British-bred import produced a blistering late turn of foot to score his maiden Hong Kong victory in a Class 2 1800m contest against a field of more experienced rivals, several of whom he will meet again on Sunday.

Sitting 12th as they turned for home, Nautical Force (124lb) was able to weave through the field courtesy of an accomplished steer from Teetan, who will be in the saddle again.

“It was a good start for him; his win was a really good win. You have to give him a lot of credit for that win,” Teetan said.

“The only thing Mr Size said was, ‘It’s his first run. Just take him back, don’t chase him and save his energy.’ The way he came through was really good.”

Size was impressed by the debut performance of the diminutive four-year-old, who stepped off the scales at a pint-sized 977lb, but acknowledged the minimum weight may have played a part in his first-up heroics.

“Well, it’s hard to do what he did. There aren’t many horses that win first up over 1800 metres against competition like that,” Size said. “Admittedly, I was aiming to get him in a race with a light weight, because he’s only a small horse. Luckily, Karis was able to find a way through. But after that, we’ve got to find him something else. So, hopefully, he can go around safely and run well again.”

The chestnut has previous form over 2400m, having run a game fourth, three lengths behind the winner, in the King George V Stakes (2392m) at last season’s Royal Ascot meeting. Teetan is unconcerned about the distance.

“He’s run the trip, and the way he raced last time, if you can switch him off and leave him alone, that would be the ideal. There are a lot of horses to respect in the race, but I believe if we get the right run, he’s a horse that could be competitive in a field like that,” Teetan added.

The exciting Sky Jewellery (119lb) makes his second appearance of the season on Sunday, aiming to build on a thrilling return to action in the competitive Class 2 Members Cup Handicap (1600m).

The four-year-old made his seasonal reappearance after a year away with a confident victory a fortnight ago, and Size was happy with his condition.

“I’m pleased he’s got back to his racing form. He’s going well,” Size said of the gelding, who steps into Class 2 company for the first time.

“He’s a promising horse, and he gets a lighter weight (on Sunday). He’s run his way into Class 2 with not many races, so I think he’ll handle it all right.”

One of several dangerous rivals will be Frankie Lor’s Stormy Grove (135lb), who makes his Class 2 bow from the top of the weights after his standout Four-Year-Old Classic Series campaign, which included victory in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) and a fast-finishing third in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m).

“I’m really looking forward to getting back on him. That was a great performance in the Derby, and I’m keen to see how he comes out of that,” said rider Harry Bentley, who has been aboard for each of Stormy Grove’s eight Hong Kong runs.

“Back to a mile, which I think is a suitable trip for him. I think we still have to employ similar tactics and ride him with an element of patience. He’s in good order.”

Sunday’s (3 May) 11-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.45pm with the Class 5 Celebrating Our Shared Champion Spirit Handicap (1200m).