Horse racing / Editor / 10 November 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

All Silent's devastating win in the Group1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday has locked in an international assault on the Hong Kong Sprint in December. By Brad Thompson

The Graeme Begg-trained galloper was labelled the 'next Takeover Target' by emerging jockey Nick Hall, who guided the six-year old to victory, keeping his unbeaten record at Flemington intact.

Hall, who will partner All Silent on his overseas jaunt, described the horse as the 'best horse he has ridden,' remarkable praise considering the young riders recent affiliation with Turnbull Stakes and 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient.

Sent out as race favourite, All Silent settled a conspicuous last, before mowing down his rivals with a series of scintillating sectional splits from the 600m mark.

The astonishing sectional times of 10.79sec from the 600m to the 400m, 10.64sec from the 400m to the 200m before closing the final 200m in 11.07sec enabled the son of Belong To Me to make up the many lengths start he had afforded his rivals.

Noticeably suited to straight racing, All Silent will have to overcome the unforgiving turns of Hong Kong's Sha Tin circuit, the location for December's Group 1 Sprint. Successful negotiation of the turn, however, leaves ample room for the Sydney galloper to wind up and unleash his blistering finish down the 500m straight.

On Emirates Day last year, trainer Graeme Begg set the gelding for the Group 1 Emirates Mile, a task he conquered in similarly emphatic fashion. But this year, in an intriguing training effort, Graeme Begg has restricted his galloper to sprint racing with impressive results. All Silent defeated Light Fantastic first up with a typically destructive performance in the Gilgai Stakes, before a break of five weeks in preparation for the Patinack Farm Classic.

Apache Cat's fast finishing fourth to All Silent has convinced trainer Greg Eurell, who is adamant his superstar is more adept around a turn, to press on with his plans of contesting the Hong Kong Sprint.