Jiayuguan
Celebrations in China carried on throughout the day yesterday as Eastern Cape and Jiayuguan saluted 12 hours apart in different hemispheres for the China Horse Club and its members.
Eastern Cape kicked off cheering in China when shaking of his rivals to win in Victoria (Australia) while Jiayuguan raced away to win by four lengths to the cheers of “jia you, jia you, jia you” at Chateaubriant (France).
“There is nothing like success. It brings enjoyment not only for our members but for their families and in many cases their friends as well,” said Eden Harrington, General Manager of the CHC.
“Eastern Cape and Jiayuguan have both run exceptionally well and credit to their respective trainers David Hayes and Nicolas Clement and to the jockeys who piloted them. They are both young and lightly raced and hopefully the joy they bring will carry on for some time to come.”
Spring ambitions for Eastern Cape remain firmly in place after the regally bred colt saluted in Victoria, Australia at his second start back from a spell. Trainer David Hayes has the three-year-old nominated for some of the biggest races over the upcoming Victoria Spring Carnival in case he measures up to events such as the G1 Victoria Derby. Much still has to happen to reach such lofty heights but all the colt can do is win.
Eastern Cape had only run on three occasions prior to today’s win, finishing second twice and only once being unplaced in the S.A. Sires Produce Stakes when fifth to a subsequent G1 winner. The strapping bay appears to have returned to racing as a bigger, stronger individual and the hope is that this more furnished Eastern Cape can add to a rich family pedigree.
Jiayuguan has also been a model of consistency prior to her overnight success. The leggy chestnut had been a perennial runner up in her previous five starts indicating that a win was only a matter of time. Trainer Nicolas Clement had been impressed enough by her abilities early in her career, so much so that the first half of her 2014 preparation was shaped around a potential tilt at the G1 Prix de Diane.
The success of the duo follows a week on from A La Victory’s imposing debut win in Singapore and the game second placing of stakes bound First Seal. Later this weekend White Hunter (Australia) and Ming Zhi Cosmos (Italy) will bid to add to the CHC’s growing tally of winners.