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Robin Parke

Smashing Pumpkin stormed into the Hong Kong Derby picture with a flying victory in the HK$1.1 million Sha Tin Trophy last night.

 The star of the David Hayes stable swept from last to a dominating first in the 1,600-metre domestic Group Three event - leaving his trainer wreathed in smiles.

 'Sometimes it all works out according to plan and this was one of those nights. The plan was to hold him right up and come home as late as possible.

 I told Basil [Marcus] I didn't mind if he was beaten as long as he was beaten really running on,' said the championship-leading trainer who, with his stable jockey, went on to record a tremendous winning treble.

 Smashing Pumpkin (12-1) scored a convincing length-and-a-quarter victory over heavy favourite Michael's Choice (3-1), with front-running Victory And Gold (25-1) holding on well for third.

 Champion jockey Marcus, who went on to complete a back-to-back double on Golden Mascot (8-1), was delighted after the prize presentation.

 'That was the fastest 400 metres I have ever travelled in Hong Kong,' he said, underlining the blazing finish of Smashing Pumpkin.

 Michael's Choice, who finished second in the same event last year, looked the likely winner when he collared gutsy Victory And Gold. But just then Marcus was unleashing Smashing Pumpkin.

 It was an exhilarating victory, and Hayes said: 'He now goes for the Stewards' Cup next month, but the Derby is his big aim. Last year we tried riding clever races on him and it never seemed to work out.

 'All I wanted was the horse to be held up as long as possible. It was going to be wait, wait, wait and that is exactly what Basil did.'  Smashing Pumpkin is also entered for the HK$7 million International Cup in December; but Hayes is keeping his options open.

 'We have to be invited first, and if he does qualify then it will be decision time. But he will probably get his chance,' said the Australian.

 Michael's Choice was given every chance by Eric Legrix and was conceding 12 lbs to the winner - a point not lost on trainer Patrick Biancone.

 'I said before the race that I thought it would be very, very difficult for us to give weight to horses like the winner and Che Sara Sara. This was a very good field and it was never going to be easy for us to win,' said Biancone.

 The domestic Group One Stewards' Cup is also over 1,600 metres at set weights, and is the first leg of the Triple Crown. It now promises to be a superb race, with Michael's Choice immediately better off for this admittedly comprehensive defeat.

 Trainer Lawrie Fownes had every reason to be thrilled by the run of En Rapport (14-1), who finished a fine fourth in the 14-runner event.

 'He had done a lot of work but there is nothing like a race to bring them on. I was very hopeful that he would run a good race and he has not let us down,' said Fownes.

 Smart Kid (9-2) had won most impressively under a big weight at his seasonal debut, but that may well have flattened him. He raced with little zest and, although caught wide, was beaten a long way from home.

 Che Sara Sara (10-1), the Derby winner responsible for an eye-catching seasonal debut, was caught wide and at the rear.

 Inexperienced maximum claimer Win L. F. Chung switched him back inside at the top of the straight, but there was nowhere to go and Che Sara Sara was soon out of contention.

 Marcus, who is riding on top of his form and who will take plenty of beating as he fights to retain his long-held crown, brought up an immediate double when Golden Mascot (8-1) scored a one-length victory over last-start winner Consistent Win (5-1) in the Class Three, 1,400-metre event.

 Golden Mascot had won on the final day of last season and produced a repeat performance.

 Consistent Win was away a little slowly, but clicked into top gear half-way down the straight and was doing his best work close home.

 Yet Golden Mascot did not shirk the issue and held on more comfortably than the margin might suggest.

 Hunting Lad (5-2 favourite) brought up the treble for the dynamic duo when scoring a determined half-length victory over Born To Win (6-1) in the Class Two, 1,400-metre final event on the card.

 Eric Saint-Martin has withdrawn his appeal against a 14-day ban for reckless riding and will return to his native France today. The jockey stressed that he will return to complete his contract with David Oughton when the suspension finishes on January 1.



Storming finish gives Marcus victory on Smashing Pumpkin