In a season of general disappointment for John Moore, Helene Paragon ranks amongst the biggest letdowns. A dual Group 1 winner last year and a contender for 2017 Champion Miler honours, the bay’s efforts this term have fallen short, but the trainer retains faith.
“He’s been disappointing. He’s not hitting the line,” said Moore, who finds himself unusually low in the trainers’ premiership, his 21 wins good only for 15th position.
While it would take much more than one sub-par season to blot Moore’s high reputation as a trainer, Helene Paragon heads into Sunday’s (8 April) G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) with his profile needing a buff of polish.
Winless through six races this season, the Polan entire’s spark has flickered without igniting – a closing second in the G2 Jockey Club Mile, then solid runs when third in both the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, and, under top-weight, in the G3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup Handicap (1400m) being the best he could muster.
His last two outings have been flat. Eighth in the G1 Stewards’ Cup and seventh in the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup – a far cry from his fine victories in those heavy-weight contests a year prior.