Dandino primed for 2013 Hong Kong Vase
Dandino has settled well in Hong Kong since arriving less than a fortnight ago with travelling companion Paul Francis, head lad for UK based trainer Marco Botti.
After a fast finishing second in the Caulfield Cup, Dandino was given little chance in the Melbourne Cup, being too far back when they turned for home, before running home strongly to run fifth behind Fiorente.
The son of Dansili lost only 3 kilos on the trip to Hong Kong and is fighting fit in preparation for the 2013 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) on Sunday according to Paul Francis.
“He was unlucky in both Melbourne races during the spring,” Francis said.
“A bad draw cost him in the Caulfield Cup and he just got too far back in the Melbourne Cup but we were very happy with his strong finish.”
“If The Fugue turns up she is going to be very hard to beat but she has had a long season, going to America, and we are hopeful that if he can run his race he will finish in the first three.”
“I am really confident he can finish in the first three.”
Damien Oliver will ride Dandino on Sunday and the Melbourne Cup winning jockey has tasted feature race success in Hong Kong previously.
Oliver will give the Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock stayer every chance in the 2400 metre race.
The 2013 Hong Kong Vase is scheduled to run at 2.00pm locally, which is 5.00pm AEST Melbourne time in Australia.
2013 Hong Kong Vase field
| # | Fm | Horse | Br | Trainer | Wt | Jockey |
| 1 | 242 | Red Cadeaux | 11 | E Dunlop | 57.0 | G Mosse |
| 2 | 805 | Dunaden | 12 | M Delzangles | 57.0 | J Spencer |
| 3 | x08 | Dominant | 14 | J Moore | 57.0 | Z Purton |
| 4 | 011 | Feuerblitz | 9 | M Figge | 57.0 | T Thulliez |
| 5 | 823 | Mount Athos | 6 | L M Cumani | 57.0 | C Williams |
| 6 | 263 | Seismos | 2 | A Wohler | 57.0 | A Atzeni |
| 7 | 125 | Dandino | 5 | M Botti | 57.0 | D Oliver |
| 8 | 340 | Simenon | 4 | W P Mullins | 57.0 | R Moore |
| 9 | 541 | Asuka Kurichan | 10 | N Sugai | 57.0 | Y Iwata |
| 10 | x49 | Liberator | 8 | D E Ferraris | 57.0 | B Prebble |
| 11 | 112 | The Fugue | 3 | J H M Gosden | 55.5 | W Buick |
| 12 | 136 | Nymphea | 1 | P Schiergen | 55.5 | A Starke |
| 13 | 2×3 | Galileo Rock | 13 | D Wachman | 55.0 | W Lordan |
| 14 | 315 | Ebiyza | 7 | A de Royer-Dupre | 53.0 | C Lemaire |
Other feature races on 2013 Hong Kong International Race Day include:
– 2013 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m)
– 2013 Hong Kong Mile (1600m)
– 2013 Hong Kong Cup (2000m)
Australia will be represented by by Linton in the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin.
