Qian Cheng - You Champ

Ideally placed by trainers Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards, Qian Cheng (3 g Artie Schiller - Alpine Belle, by Rock of Gibraltar) capped good form by winning the $10,000 Carrfields Livestock Maiden 3YO 1200 metres on Anzac Day at Awapuni.

Given time after a good debut effort for third in November at Rotorua, Qian Cheng closed to half a length when finishing second fresh-up on 5 April in the Maiden 1200 metres at New Plymouth, before sealing victory.

A stride tardy to begin, Qian Cheng recovered to receive a nice trip behind the leader, benefitted by a rails run on straightening and he scored narrowly under Shafiq.

On Slow7 footing, Qian Cheng ran the 1200 metres in 1:12.8, last 600m in 36.7, and was heavily backed late to close a $1.80 fixed odds favourite on the NZ TAB.

“It was a lovely ride by Shafiq,” Richards said. “We thought after watching (second placed) Magico trial that she was the one to beat and Shafiq did the job perfectly to come off her back.

“He's a horse that can hopefully go on with it. He doesn't mind heavy ground, so in work at the right time and we'll push on while trying to keep his confidence high.”

Purchased by Shuping Hon for $160,000 at the 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, Qian Cheng is owned by Mr. Hon, Mr. Qian Yu and the Inner Mongolia Rider Horse Industry.

“It's an honour to train for these owners because they love racing and they're putting so much into it,” said Te Akau principal David Ellis. “So, for us to be entrusted in training their horses is a huge thrill and they're racing really well. Qian Gua won his Maiden in March at Matamata, and backed up with a strong performance to win in the next grade on the same course a week ago, to make it two wins from three starts.

“They are all very successful men, great supporters of Te Akau Racing, and Mr. Lang Lin, or Mr. Wolf as they call him in New Zealand, from the Rider Horse Group, also has a share in Mongolianconqueror (Ocean Park), a horse I bought that finished second in the New Zealand Derby, and ran well in both the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby.”

Qian Cheng (red & white colours) was strapped by Kendyll Lee.

Photo credit - www.raceimages.co.nz