British-born trainer Annabel Neasham has risen to the top of the Australian ranks remarkably quickly and is hoping for another landmark victory on Sunday when Laws Of Indices takes on local hero Golden Sixty in the HK$30 million Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin.
Neasham, 31, has enjoyed success at the highest level with another former European-trained horse in Zaaki and is hoping the Irish export and 2021 Group 1 Prix Jean Prat (1400m) winner Laws Of Indices can build on his promising Australian form.
She said: “It’s very exciting, it’s my first time in Hong Kong so it’s amazing to be coming here with a horse. It’s one of the biggest race days globally on the calendar, so it’s a privilege to have a horse running.
“Law Of Indices was based in Ireland, won his Group 1 in France, raced at Ascot and is now Group 1-placed several times in Australia. He’s an amazing horse because when he arrived in Australia, he had a gleaming summer coat and he’s never lost that. James McDonald knows him well and he galloped him on Tuesday and rang me as soon as he got off him and said he feels terrific.”
Laws Of Indices was last seen finishing third in the Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill on 5 November, one start after his eighth in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley. Before that he showed promise in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and his trainer believes the drop back to a mile is key, while she anticipates the reapplication of headgear to have a positive impact.
“I think it’s his best trip and he’ll have the blinkers back on,” she said. “We were hoping for a bit more luck with the barrier draw (stall 10) but we have the best jockey in the world on. Golden Sixty is an absolute superstar but we’re looking forward to trying to take him on. We’re very happy with our horse and it’s great prize money here.”
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