The Noriyuki Hori-trained Neorealism was expected to lead the eight-runner
field, but after missing the kick Joao Moreira slotted in towards the back of
the pack with Australian entry The United States finding himself the reluctant
pace-setter under Brett Prebble.At the business end of the race Neorealism held a long neck verdict over Pakistan Star with the favourite Werther a close up third.
"He didn't really jump as well as we expected," Moreira said.
"We thought he was going to be able to lead but as he jumped a little bit slowly I had to give him a chance to get cover behind horses. The pace slowed so much on the back straight so I had to pop out and get going. He got going but he wasn't at his top speed, so I was always confident that once we turned for home he was going to finish off strongly, which he did. It actually worked out pretty good because I was able to get him relaxed initially."
A top class galloper with eight wins from 19 starts, Neorealism is a three-quarter brother to Arrowfield Stud's dual Group I winning shuttler Real Impact (Jpn), who covered 134 mares in his first Australian season last year.
"In December he had had a tough programme and it was difficult for him to keep his condition," Hori said. "But he learned a lot from that and that helped him on this second visit to Hong Kong and he was able to improve on that.
"We talked about race tactics and possible patterns before the race but Joao gave him the best ride. Joao rode him in morning track work so he got to know a bit about the horse and that was good for him."
The 2015 JRA champion trainer will look at all options for the Neo Universe entire.
"There are some options," Hori said, "not only domestically but also international races, so we will check the horse when he gets back to Japan and then we will see where we go with him."
