CHARLIE APPLEBY is hoping his slick Rebel can help him finally conquer the Far East.
Godolphin’s main man, Appleby has become known for sending his top horses across the globe.
This year alone, Appleby has won three top-level races outside of the UK, including two in Dubai and one in the United States.
But one place Appleby is yet to conquer is the Far East, but that could change on Sunday morning in Hong Kong.
Appleby is sending one of his globetrotting stars, Rebel’s Romance, to the Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin and he looks to have standout claims.
He will take on the likes of former Aidan O’Brien-trained pair Russian Emperor and Massive Sovereign, who have taken to Hong Kong racing like ducks to water.
Appleby has ventured to Hong Kong once, when Blue Point was tailed off in the 2018 Chairman’s Sprint Prize.
But he’s learned from his mistakes and is hoping Rebel’s Romance can right that wrong four years on.
Appleby said: ” It was my inexperience of Hong Kong racing that was the reason for that defeat.
“We are taking more notice now of what type of horse you need to bring and what will be best suited to the style of races being run.
“Rebel’s Romance has been a star to date. He’s a multiple Group 1 winner in many countries, Germany, America, Qatar and Dubai, and he has been a model of consistency this season.
His preparation for the Champions and Chater has gone well. It’s a race we have always had our eye on. We’ve always felt the conditions would suit one of our horses.
“One of the challenges is going to be the travel. It’s not as if he doesn’t like travelling – he’s won all over the place – but this is the furthest he has ever been. If he copes with that OK, we feel we have the right horse to be competitive.”
Appleby also has a strong chance in the US on Saturday, with Legend Of Time heading to Belmont for the Grade 2 Pennine Ridge Stakes.
Joel Rosario is jocked up on the three-year-old, who won a Listed race at Meydan in March.
He remains unexposed and the locals will be very aware of the threat an Appleby runner poses.
In all, Appleby could hoover up just over £800,000 in prize money from just those two runners. Not bad for a weekend’s work.
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