Classic Mile shake-up as Akashvani and Patch Of Cosmo surge into calculations

The picture for the Hong Kong Classic Mile shifted at Sha Tin yesterday as two late-emerging contenders with serious X-factor were added to what is quickly becoming a compelling edition of the race, just two weeks out from the opening leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series.

David Hayes-trained Akashvani was the first to force the issue, demolishing a Class 3 field over 1400 meters with a dominant three-length, front-running victory that left no doubt about his Classic credentials. Usually, trainers use the post-race press conference to gently plead for leniency from the handicapper, but Hayes – clearly in a jovial mood – flipped the script while making his point.

“If I was handicapping, I’d give him nine points,” Hayes joked with the local press pack. “Normally I might be saying six, but I thought he went pretty easy and beat a good horse well,” he said, referring to the impressive Super Express, a horse returning from a long layoff.

Regardless of the final figure, Akashvani looks set to be safely ensconced inside the top 14 after winning off a mark of 72, with entries for the Classic Mile released on Monday and the final order of entry confirmed on Wednesday. A cut-off of 76 is expected and officials are expected to prioritise ratings points over recent form. 

Hayes said Akashvani’s pedigree and racing style suggested a mile would pose no problem, despite the gelding yet to race beyond 1400 meters in Hong Kong. “That was his best win in Hong Kong and he’s got a mile written all over him,” he said. “If he draws a good gate, he can sit third or fourth and run a very good race. He’s very fit and that means a lot in Hong Kong.”

Winning jockey Brenton Avdulla, who will partner Hayes’ Public Attention in the Classic Mile, said Akashvani was at his most effective when able to control a race. “He won well – he ran along at a nice speed, got control and skipped around the corner,” Avdulla said. “When he can control a race like that, he’s a horse you have to respect.”

In the following race, it was Patch Of Cosmo’s turn to add another layer of intrigue, scraping home by a neck over 1600 meters in a win that was far more about grit than gloss. The Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained gelding was having his first start in more than ten months after a tendon injury and carried top weight in Class 3.

Zac Purton said the effort was far from straightforward, noting the gelding was first-up after a long layoff and carrying top weight over 1600 meters, but still found enough when it mattered.

He said Patch Of Cosmo was still a work in progress who “got spooked by his own shadow” on the way to the starting barriers. The champion jockey said the fact the horse was able to win despite those factors only underlined his Classic Mile credentials. “He’s a bit of a quirky horse. When he hit the front he was stargazing a little bit, but he showed class,” he said.

The emergence of Akashvani and Patch Of Cosmo adds fresh intrigue to an already complex Classic Mile picture, with Purton having recently locked in Sagacious Life as his mount based on the Brazilian import’s superior rating of 97, ahead of rivals such as Little Paradise, Invincible Ibis, and Beauty Bolt.