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SYDNEY - Gee I Jane has missed out on an invitation to the A$1.6 million ($1.86 million) Hong Kong Sprint, leaving Cambridge trainer Neville Couchman frustrated.
Couchman had kept Gee I Jane in Melbourne after her run in the Salinger Stakes at the start of this month, in the hope she would get the call-up for the sprint.
But with the list of horses for the international races in Hong Kong on December 10 being released today, it has become apparent that Gee I Jane has not won selection.
"It annoys me even more than I thought it would, because she did fast work at Flemington this morning and went super," he said. "She is going that well, it just seemed it would work out so well."
Takeover Target and Red Oog are the Australian horses invited for the sprint, while Growl will contest the A$2.3 million Hong Kong Vase over 2400m.
No New Zealand-trained horses have gained an invitation for the four big races - the Sprint, Vase, Hong Kong Cup and Hong Kong Cup Mile.
Most of the original entries have either become injured or lost form.
Red Oog's selection rankles a little with Couchman because Gee I Jane has finished ahead of him the last two times they have clashed.
While annoyed, Couchman said he just had to accept missing out. "It's just one of those things that happens in racing sometimes."
He will probably now aim Gee I Jane at the group one Railway Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie in January.
"I have to talk to the owners, but we could possibly come back to Melbourne for the Lightning Stakes."
The A$500,000 Lightning is on February 3 at Moonee Valley, a change from its usual venue of Flemington because of track renovations there.
Jack Petley, who acts as an agent for the Hong Kong Jockey Club, advised Couchman he had probably missed out on an invite, but encouraged him to tackle the Lightning.
"It's part of the Global Sprint Challenge, so if she wins that she could get an invite to race in Europe."
- NZPA
