3 minute read

The Freddie Head-trained Moonlight Cloud is the star in the Hong Kong Mile.

The five-year-old Moonlight Cloud has been in better shape than ever this season, winning on all four outings, and she produced a truly memorable performance in the seven-furlong Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on her latest outing. Anchored at the rear of the field by an extremely confident Thierry Jarnet, Moonlight Cloud displayed a remarkable turn of foot to quicken past all of her rivals within about a furlong, beating the re-opposing Gordon Lord Byron by an authoritative three lengths.

Seven furlongs is perceived to be Moonlight Cloud's optimum distance but she ran right up to her best when winning the Prix Jacques le Marois on her penultimate start, proving that she does stay a mile. The winning margin over subsequent Group 1 winner Olympic Glory may have only been a short-head, but it was an extremely competitive event and a repeat performance should be enough to land the Hong Kong Mile.

A strong challenge could come from Olympic Glory's stablemate Sky Lantern. Richard Hannon's filly has enjoyed a productive three-year-old campaign, winning a trio of Group 1 races in the shape of the 1000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes and Sun Chariot Stakes. She was visually impressive in the Sun Chariot last time but the form still rates a notch below what Moonlight Cloud has achieved and she has no easy task against that wonderful mare and a selection of good males.

Gold Fun is prominent in the market following three course victories of late, including two over the mile, but he will need to improve slightly to trouble an on-song Moonlight Cloud. He does look likely to reach the frame, though, and shouldn't be totally dismissed, for all he doesn't represent great value. Glorious Days is another local challenger with a bit to find on the figures for win purposes but is capable of picking up a fair share of prize money.

Moonlight Cloud has been in tremendous form and a reproduction of her best would make her difficult to beat. Sky Lantern and the four-year-old gelding Gold-Fun represent interesting new challenges for Freddie Head's star mare, but she is taken to extend her winning run.

Timeform weight-adjusted ratings:

Moonlight Cloud 147

Sky Lantern 139

Glorious Days 138