The China Horse Club’s members celebrated success for the second time in as many meetings on the CEA Champions Tour after Vinson Massif raced to success over 1000m this afternoon. The chestnut headed another successful foray on China’s national racing tour which included a third over 1800m for stable mate La Casino.
CHC Jockey, Qing Yong with Vinson Massif
The success today at Shanxi followed up from a brilliant display by Endzone at Rider on the Champions Tour earlier this month. On that occasion Endzone streeted rivals by 15 lengths over 2000m.
Jockey Qing Yong riding Vinson Massif (No 8), racing to the finishing line of the 1000m race
“Vinson Massif was terrific today. We had a plan and it was well executed. [Vinson Massif] drew barrier seven of nine and I showed our jockey the Sir Owen Glenn Sprint from last year’s CECF meeting to highlight how Flaming Aura was ridden. I wanted him ridden the same way,” Cassidy said.
“Vinson Massif began well and actually settled outside the leader. At the 600m mark the leader got a stitch [tired] and he had a break on them but I was just hoping our jockey would wait and wait and wait and not go too soon because he was left a sitting duck and there is actually an incline in the straight.
CHC Trainer, Quinton Cassidy with CHC Jockey, Chen Li
“It was a well-judged ride, he cuddled him and cuddled him and got him home. The back markers were closing as you would expect but it was a smart performance.”
Vinson Massif was scintillating in posting the fastest time in two heats over 1000m. The chestnut has fashioned into a wonderful specimen in the 12 months since coming to China and showed his athletic prowess when holding off all challengers in the straight to win by half a length.
Later in the afternoon it was the turn of La Casino and Hales with the duo finishing second and fourth in their heat while Manus was third in his. La Casino’s time was strong enough for her to finish third overall in the 1800m event, Manus was fourth.
1800m Race Prize Giving Ceremony
CHC Jockey, Chen Li with La Casino
CHC Jockey, Qing Yong with Hales
CHC Jockey, Liu San Ping with Manus
“All of our horses performed well today, with a bit more luck we may have got some better results but the horses showed we have the firepower to measure up,” the trainer said.
“These meetings are a learning experience and our team will be better for having come here and performed here.”
The CHC Team for the 2014, National Speed Horse Tour 3rd Station, Youyu, Shanxi, China