Helene Paragon books place at Dubai World Cup after Group 1 victory in Hong Kong

Helene Paragon's owner John Moore, pictured with Designs on Rome in 2014, has said Joao Moreira will ride Helene Paragon on Dubai World Cup night if Tommy Berry is racing in Australia. Tyrone Siu / ReShow more

Helene Paragon booked his ticket to the Dubai World Cup meeting when John Moore’s runner made his breakthrough at Group 1 level under Tommy Berry in Hong Kong on Monday.

Helene Paragon had showed promise when second to Beauty Only in the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin in December, and followed up at the same racecourse by beating Joyful Trinity and Hong Kong legend Able Friend in the 1,600-metre Stewards’ Cup.

Moore revealed afterwards that the five-year-old son of French Listed winner Polan would next run in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup over 1,400 metres next month before stepping up to the 1,800 metres of the Dubai Turf at Meydan on March 25.

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“We have an international entry in the Dubai Turf but that’s a big race-day in Australia so I’m not sure if Tommy will be available, but Joao’s (Moreira) ready and waiting for the call-up,” Moore said in an interview with the Hong Kong Jockey Club after what was his third victory in the race.

Dual Dubai World Cup night runner Peniaphobia won the Group 2 Centenary Sprint Cup under a fine front-running ride from jockey Neil Callan and could join Helene Paragon in Dubai.

Peniaphobia beat Lucky Bubbles and Notlistenin’tome over the 1,200 metres, augmenting his victory in the race two seasons ago when it was staged over 1000 metres.

Peniaphobia finished second to Sole Power in the Al Quoz Sprint in 2015, and was third to Buffering last season. Since then the premier turf sprint on World Cup night has been extended to 1,200 meters and trainer Tony Cruz has left the final decision whether to ship to Meydan to owner Huang Kai Wen.

Late on Sunday Hong Kong raiders Dundonnell and Fabulous One travelled to Dubai ahead of their proposed runs at the World Cup Carnival on February 11.

Both sprinters are being aimed at the 1,200-metre handicap at Meydan next month.

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