Ramonti holds off Viva Pataca in Hong Kong Cup

Ramonti (Julien Herbert/Getty)Godolphin’s Ramonti (Fr) (Martino Alonso {Ire}) had covered himself in glory this season, winning a trio of the most important Group 1 races over a mile in England and finishing runner-up in two others. Some scoffed at the notion of entering the five-year-old for yesterday’s G1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup over 10 furlongs, but the striking bay put pay to those naysayers, holding off a late surge from 3-10 Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}) to take the richest event of the International meeting by a half-length.

A bit rank early from the box seat in third as Royal Prince (GB) (Mark of Esteem {Ire}) set a sedate pace from Shadow Gate (Jpn) (White Muzzle {GB}), Ramonti was given his cue turning for home and burst away before digging in to hold the late rally of Viva Pataca. A claim of foul by the connections of the runner-up for interference in the stretch was ultimately denied. “He’s one of the bravest horses I’ve ever ridden,” said Frankie Dettori, winning his third Cup and second for Godolphin. “To win four Group 1s in a season is a fantastic effort. He stays in training and there’s a lot to look forward to.”

A bit difficult to handle for Dettori and eager all the way up the backstretch, Ramonti advanced three wide at the quarter pole, his every move tracked by Viva Pataca. He hit the front in upper stretch, shifted in a bit nearing the eighth pole, but covered his final two panels in a sharp :22.50 en route to the narrow victory.

His jockey was effusive in his praise afterwards. “It was his first time over 10 furlongs and he was a bit keen because of the slow pace, but when I set him alight, I knew it would take a very good one to get past him,” said Dettori. “He’s one of the best.” Added Godolphin Racing Manager Simon Crisford, “There are so many more options open to him now he gets a mile and a quarter. All credit to Saeed [bin Suroor, trainer], because this was the right track to come to test him at this trip.” It was the 150th Group 1 win worldwide for Godolphin.

Extract from TDN 10.12.07

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