Silent Witness takes sprint record
HONG KONG, China -- In the end, it all seemed just a little too easy.
Hong Kong's Silent Witness won his 17th consecutive horse race Sunday, breaking the mark set by his ancestor Ribot in Europe and the North American record held by Cigar and Citation.
Silent Witness, ridden by Felix Coetzee, led throughout the 1,400-meter (1,532-yard) race at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong and broke away from the pack down the stretch, clinching the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup in one minute, 21 seconds.
In the stands, the people's favorite was cheered on by fans waving black flags with a green cross -- the design of the horse's jockey's outfit.
Talks are now reportedly under way for a showdown between Silent Witness and 2004 Breeders' Cup Classic champion, Ghostzapper.
It's still just an idea at this stage, but there's no doubt that Silent Witness will travel outside Hong Kong in search of more success and competition.
Trainer Tony Cruz says Silent Witness has yet to be really stretched.
"He (jockey Felix Coetzee) didn't get to the bottom of this horse yet. You know he's still idling all the way and Felix didn't have to use the loop on him or anything," Cruz told CNN.
The Australian-bred horse's winning streak has made him a local celebrity.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club has set up a Web site for the horse and a fashion retailer designed a clothing line in his honor.
Silent Witness's owner, Archie De Silva, has a theory on why his mount is so popular.
"They identify with him because, you see, Hong Kong has been having a few years' downturn," he says.
"When you suddenly get a champion, and he's a world champion, you feel good. You know it puts Hong Kong back on top of the pedestal again."
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Associated Press contributed to this report.
