Normcore Completes a Great Day for Japan in the Hong Kong Cup

Mark Smith - Sunday December 13

The Japanese gang-tackled Saturday’s Group 1 The Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin with three outstanding chances and they duly finished first, second and fourth in the days feature.

What a day for Japan. Norncore powers home in the HK Cup (HKJC)

It was the outsider of the trio, the 5yo mare Normcore (JPN) who ambushed them in the final furlong under a perfectly timed ride by Zac Purton.

Advertisement

The Kiyoshi Hagiwara-trained daughter of Harbinger was three-quarters of a length too good for the defending champion Win Bright (JPN) (Stay Gold), who edged out Galileo’s magnificent world traveller Magical (IRE) for second.

The better fancied of the Japanese trio, Danon Premium (JPN) (Deep Impact), finished close-up in fourth.

“I wouldn’t say it was an unexpected result,” Purton said.

“I knew she was a good chance. We had a lovely gate, so we were going to get our chance. She was a bit keen in the run, and I was worried about that. She fought well. She had to dig, she found and showed heart.

“I have now won more international races than anyone else, so that tops it off.”

Normcore rarely contests anything other than the top-class races in Japan where she has proved to be competitive at the elite level. She captured the Group 1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo last year to add to a Group II win and a pair of Group III successes.

Her overall record stands at seven wins, a second and three thirds from 17 starts.

The grey is a half-sister to seven winners including the Bago filly Chrono Genesis the winner of the Group 1 Shuka Sho and Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen.

Advertisment

Race Result - The Longines Hong Kong Cup Gr1 2000m

Sha Tin Track: Good Time: 2:00.50
1
Normcore
- 6m Harbinger (GB) x Chronologist (JPN) (Kurofune (USA))
Tnr: K Hagiwara Rdr: Z Purton 55.5
2
0.8
Win Bright
- 7h Stay Gold (JPN) x Summer Eternity (JPN) (Admire Cozzene (JPN))
Tnr: Yoshihiro Hatakeyama Rdr: M Matsuoka 57
3
0.9
Magical
- 6m Galileo (IRE) x Halfway To Heaven (IRE) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: A O'Brien Rdr: Ryan Moore 55.5
4
2.0
Danon Premium
- 6h Deep Impact (JPN) x Indiana Gal (IRE) (Intikhab (USA))
Tnr: M Nakauchida Rdr: W Buick 57
5
2.8
Furore
- 6g Pierro (AUS) x Stormy Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: J Moreira 57
6
3.8
Dances With Dragon
- 7g Savabeel (AUS) x Around The Clock (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: C Fownes Rdr: C Y Ho 57
7
4.3
Skalleti
- 6g Kendargent (FR) x Skallet (FR) (Muhaymin (USA))
Tnr: J Reynier Rdr: P C Boudot 57
8
14.5
Time Warp
- 8g Archipenko (USA) x Here To Eternity (USA) (Stormy Atlantic (USA))
Tnr: A S Cruz Rdr: K Teetan 57
More Reading...
Engine of War Wins for MyRacehorse at Sandown
VRC Derby aspirant Engine Of War made a winning Australian debut from the quarters of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday over 1500m.
Waller Stable Hold the Key to Melbourne Cup
Champion Sydney trainer Chris Waller has 27 of the 120 entries for this year’s $10million Melbourne Cup, which equates to more than 20 per cent of the total, so it’s probably worth having a closer look at them.
Almanzor Mare Salutes for Cambridge Stud
Daring Dame broke through for an elusive win when taking out the Kensington Tavern 1200 at Ruakaka on Wednesday.
Winning Debut for Blueblood Cox Plate Dreamer
At the start of August we ran a story about the 3YO’s that were entered for this year Cox Plate and aside from the usual suspects there were some ‘Cox Plate’ dreamers and one of them was unraced Lonhro colt Attica, who made a winning debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday September 3
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
So You Think filly Scores for TAB Racing
The TAB Racing Club’s silks were to the fore at Ruakaka on Wednesday, with three-year-old filly Transcend carrying them to victory in The Homestead Sports Bar & Bistro 1200.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday September 2
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vivid Sun Shines Bright At Sandown
Recording her second win in as many starts, 3yo The Autumn Sun filly Vivid Sun looked something special as she resumed from a spell at Sandown to trounce her rivals by more than two lengths on Wednesday, signalling a step up to black type races during the Spring.
G3 Tibbie Next for Tuileries
Lightly raced So You Think mare Tuileries has long promised to measure up to stakes class and will be given that opportunity next start after returning to top form to win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Consecutive Wins As Cantiamo Defeats The Boys
With 60kgs on her back against the boys, it’s clearly evident there are bigger and better things ahead for the Kris Lees trained Cantiamo as the 3yo daughter of Too Darn Hot went back-to-back, winning the Precise Air Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm.