Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
If we’ve learnt one thing about trainer Annabel Neasham during the two-and-a-bit years she has been training it’s that she should never be underestimated.
The Englishwoman, who cut her teeth with champion trainers Gai Waterhouse and Ciaron Maher, has achieved plenty in her fledgling career. Neasham has already chalked up seven Group 1 wins, including four with stable star Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), and had three runners in this year’s G1 Cox Plate.
Some in the industry have labelled her Waterhouse’s heir apparent and that seems fitting.
Annabel Neasham with her Group 1 stable star, Zaaki (GB) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Neasham will chalk up another milestone this week when her galloper Laws Of Indices (GB) (Power {GB}) flies the flag for Australia at the Hong Kong International Raceday (HKIR). You would think that would be something to celebrate, but Neasham is a winner and she has her eyes firmly on the prize, despite having to contend with local hero Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}), who has won the past two editions of this race and 22 of his 25 starts.
“I don’t think you can ever be afraid of one horse. He looks like a superstar, but they said nothing was going to beat Anamoe in the Champions Stakes and Zaaki did,” Neasham told TDN AusNZ.
“I don’t think you can ever be afraid of one horse. He (Golden Sixty) looks like a superstar, but they said nothing was going to beat Anamoe in the Champions Stakes and Zaaki did.” - Annabel Neasham
“It’s certainly no easy task, but I don’t think we could have him in any better shape.
“I think he can win. On his form, you’d probably say that he can’t, but if you watch his replays, he’s been so unlucky so many times. You go all the way back to the Golden Eagle 12 months ago, that was an enormous run and you could probably argue that if he draws a gate, he closes very close to beating I’m Thunderstruck. He’s just often had really bad gates… again, the Toorak (H.), if he draws a gate, he wins. He flew home.”
When asked where the feat of having a runner on one of the world’s best and most famous racedays, Neasham was matter of fact: “It doesn’t rank anywhere until you win them.
“We’re not there to make up numbers, we’re there to give it a good shake.
“We’re not there to make up numbers, we’re there to give it a good shake.” - Annabel Neasham
“If we could win it, it would be a terrific achievement and be particularly great for the owners because some of them that raced him in Europe have remained in the ownership. And the Aquis Stallions Farm has bought into him as well and they have been big supporters of mine. It’s pretty exciting that our first international runner is for them.”
Laws Of Indices is winless in 12 starts for Neasham since transferring from Ken Condon in Ireland.
He has, however, run some very good races, finishing an unlucky fifth at his local debut in last year’s Golden Eagle, before placing third in this year’s G1 George Ryder S. and second in the G1 Toorak H.
“It’s been a bit frustrating, not to have got a win with him; he’s obviously had a couple of Group 1 placings here,” she said of the 2021 G1 Prix Jean Prat champion.
Laws Of Indices will face nine rivals in the HK$30 million (AU$5.7 million) Group 1, with Golden Sixty a dominant favourite. Other challengers include rising star California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner), plus the Japanese contingent, who always commands respect, of Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), Salios (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}) and Danon Scorpion (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}).
“If everything can go right, he’s certainly got the right attributes, including the best jockey in the world (James McDonald) on him, so that’s a big tick,” Neasham remarked.
“If everything can go right, he’s (Laws Of Indices) certainly got the right attributes, including the best jockey in the world (James McDonald) on him, so that’s a big tick.” - Annabel Neasham
“He’s settled in well, Liz Laycock, who’s our foreman, she knows him and she’s really happy with him. He was on his own, but he’s got a mirror in his box and I think he quite fancies himself, so that’s kept him occupied.
“James galloped him on Tuesday and he was very chuffed. He told me he feels fresh and not like a horse that’s been up for a while.”
McDonald’s task was made a little harder when Laws Of Indices was allocated barrier 10 at Thursday’s draw.
A challenge like no other
This year’s meeting will have 22 overseas-based runners, with Laws Of Indices the lone entrant from Australia. He becomes the country’s first HKIR starter since 2018 when Comin’ Through (Fastnet Rock) was unplaced in Beauty Generation’s (NZ) (Road To Rock) second Mile triumph.
Neasham admitted the task of getting Laws Of Indices to Hong Kong wasn’t without its challenges.
“The logistics weren’t that easy to get him there; I can tell you that. But we were determined to go,” Neasham explained.
“It feels like a bit of an achievement just putting him on the plane because it was looking doubtful for a number of weeks.”
“It feels like a bit of an achievement just putting him (Laws Of Indices) on the plane because it was looking doubtful for a number of weeks.” - Annabel Neasham
“It just wasn’t that easy to get him there and COVID hasn’t helped either.
“Being the only horse from Australia made it a bit harder as well.
“The main thing is we’ve got him there; he’s travelled well and seems to have settled in.”
