Pakistan Star shows what he can do

HONG KONG - The 2017-18 Hong Kong season is winding down at the wrong time for Pakistan Star, who won Sunday’s Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Pakistan Star ran the best race of his career in the $3.059 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup at 1 1/4 miles on turf. He stalked the pace while racing in third, and rallied in the final furlong to score by a convincing three lengths over a field that includes two Japanese shippers and a strong cast of locally based runners.

Through the race, Pakistan Star showed no signs of the issues he displayed when he pulled himself up in the Group 2 Chairman’s Trophy on April 8, only to resume running in time to finish fourth.

A 5-year-old gelding, Pakistan Star did something similar in a race last June, but was better behaved in a mandatory one-mile trial race workout on April 19, performing to the satisfaction of the stewards. After the trial, Pakistan Star was allowed to be entered in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.

“He has taught me a lot,” trainer Tony Cruz said after Sunday’s race. “He’s got a racing mind. He’s improving all the time.

“There were so many complications along the way.”

There is one Group 1 remaining before the Hong Kong season ends in the July – the $1.274 million Champions and Chater Cup at 1 1/2 miles on turf May 27 that Cruz mentioned as a possibility for Pakistan Star and stablemate Gold Mount, who finished second.

Pakistan Star has had three starts during the current Hong Kong season, which began in September. Pakistan Star did not race last fall and had his first start of the season in late February, finishing fourth in the Group 1 Hong Kong Gold Cup at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Cruz, the former six-time leading rider here, was left relieved and gratified by Pakistan’s Star impressive win. At the same time, Cruz wonders how much Pakistan Star can accomplish, perhaps even outside of Hong Kong.

A German-bred by Shamardal, Pakistan Star has won 4 of 14 starts, racing only in Hong Kong.

“He’s proven himself to be a Group 1 horse,” Cruz said.

Pakistan Star has earned the respect of rival trainers. John Moore, whose Eagle Way finished third in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup, was left impressed by the winner.

“He’s the best horse in Hong Kong if he puts his mind to it,” Moore said.