Avdulla eyes breakthrough success at Sha Tin

Undeterred by a string of near misses since arriving in Hong Kong, Brenton Avdulla is hopeful of claiming an elusive breakthrough victory when he pairs with a host of leading chances at Sha Tin on Sunday.

With four thirds from 23 rides across five meetings this month, Avdulla has quickly absorbed the nuances of Hong Kong racing and is hopeful Sweet Encounter, Mighty Stride and Loriz can deliver landmark success.

“I feel like the rides that I’ve got coming over the next couple of weeks are getting a bit stronger, too, so a lot more competitive chances, even on Sunday so I’m sure the winner won’t be far away,” the Australian said.

“I feel I’ve adapted to the racing really well so now it’s just a matter of getting on the right horses at the right time.

“We obviously started off the first meeting, just missing on the first ride (beaten a head on Loriz on 3 May) and we’ve had plenty of rides that were outside the market, but I’m getting good support from a variety of trainers now and a few more are starting to jump on board, so we’re getting a bit closer.”

Prominent among Avdulla’s rides at the weekend is John Size-trained Sweet Encounter, who contests the Class 2 Para Sports Coach Handicap (1600m) as a four-time winner at Sha Tin and a solid last-start third behind emerging star Straight Arron.

“Sweet Encounter’s got the right form there and he’s in good order so I’m expecting him to go there on Sunday and run well. He’s drawn a bit awkward (gate 10) but he’s a horse who, early on in his career, was racing on speed, but know John thinks he’s better off being ridden a fraction quieter and he’ll hit the line.

“He’s got good form but he’s going to need a bit of luck from the draw and do things right and, if he gets things run to suit, then we’ll be okay hopefully. Sha Tin is going to give him a chance to wind up.”

Winner of 13 Australian Group 1 races, Avdulla replaces suspended compatriot Hugh Bowman on Ricky Yiu’s consistent Mighty Stride in the Class 3 Para Sports Volunteer Handicap (1400m).

“He looks a nice chance. He was obviously a winner in Class 3 a couple of runs ago, Hughy gave him a nice ride and he ran well. Then the other day he had that softish track and he just didn’t look like he was as comfortable on it,” Avdulla said.

“He’s obviously up in the weight (61.5kg) but he’s racing consistently and he’s drawn well (No 5), so he should get a good chance in running and I reckon he’ll run well.”

Unplaced for the first time in a six-start career on 7 May, Mighty Stride faces a swathe of intriguing talents including Sinba, Beauty Inspire and debut runner-up Hameron for Luke Ferraris.

“Hameron has been doing everything right so far, he’s got a bit of a tricky draw at the weekend but I hope that if he gets a bit of luck in running, things can go his way,” Ferraris said. “The step up in trip will definitely suit him, 1200m is a bit short for him. Sha Tin will probably be a bit easier from that draw, but hopefully he can finish off like at his debut. He switches off nicely and he’s a lovely horse to ride.”

Following Wednesday night’s double, Ferraris has 25 winners this campaign and the young South African is eager to add more before season’s end.

“It’s great to improve on what I did last season (20 wins) and hopefully I can keep building on what I’ve done so far this season and hopefully just keep the ball rolling. I tend to take it as it comes. You want to set goals but you don’t really want to set them too big because if you miss, you get disappointed – and especially in a place like this – so I just try to get the best result out of each horse.” - HKJC

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Sunlight Power turned in a very nice debut run and looks to have good ability. With any amount of improvement to come second-up, he can get the job done. Speedy Smartie disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here based on his win two starts ago. Horsesain Bolt remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here. Speedy Fortune had excuses last start and forget the run. Drawn well low, he maps to get his chance. Star Club having second start and can improve with experience. He trials well.

Race 2: Hong Kong Hall resuming from a break and won two trials for his return. He’s ready to win on his third career start. Affirm has trialled well for debut on numerous occasions and is well prepared. He should be giving this race a shake. Sparkling Knight backing up quickly from a good last-start effort, winning well, and can run well again. Team Spirit can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and has drawn well for the straight. Each-way chance. Dream Winner newcomer who trialled okay and can run well. Watch the betting.

Race 3: A wide-open Class 5. Plenty of chances. Beauty Nova looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. From barrier 4 he looks a good bet. Bulb Prince drops down in grade and start following. He can easily win this with luck from barrier 11. Mister Arm has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. Avdulla should suit his chances. Boys Party fresh up from a break and should run well. Inspiring City placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. He’s getting a close to a win.

Race 4: Master Of Fortune was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Drawn well low in barrier 3, he maps to get his chance to score again. Young Victory placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. Blinkers are added and his form is good. Solid chance. Lucky Eternity finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start and is improving. Fast Buck go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay, he failed on the rain-affected track last start. Right As Rain has shown ability and gets his chance to win here.

Race 5: Round The Earth drops down in grade and start following. He was running well at the bottom of Class 3 and should find this race easier. From barrier 3 under Purton, he looks the winner. Gold Tack caught wide last start and still ran well. He’s overdue for a win. Forever Glorious was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Forever Folks last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. He can run a race from barrier 2. Go Go Sixteen consistent performer of late and worth considering at an each-way chance.

Race 6: Red Hare King was an easy last start winner and must be respected. Just a three-year-old, he should have plenty of improvement to come. Casa Legend good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, which was just last week. From a lower draw, he warrants plenty of respect. Kasi Farasi old-timer who is always capable of surprising. Charmander backing up quickly from last week, can run well as he didn’t handle the wet. Lucky Gold recent runs have been encouraging and can run well.

Race 7: Flying High racing in career-best form and he keeps on winning. In the same form, he looks to take holding out again. Pleasant Endeavor has a big pull in the weights because of the 10lb claim, so that should help, but he will still need to be rated well. Ka Ying Spirit goes well first-up from a break and should be respected. California Deeply generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home, look for him flying home late. Beauty Tycoon an on-pace runner who could finish in the placings under Purton.

Race 8: A race between two here as Prince Of Porty and Reward Smile go head-to-head again. Reward Smile got the job done by a short margin last start, and should have upside to come. Warrants plenty of respect. Prince Of Porty was odds-on that day, give him another chance to get the job done. Lucky Encounter rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up after an easy Class 4 win. Shining Gem place chance at value in a race like this under the 10lb claim. Ready To Win good performance when returning to form last start.

Race 9: Tuchel form is outstanding and should be hard to beat. One of three runners for Size in the race, he is the clear stand out. Sweet Encounter good performance when storming home for third place last start and he is the testing material to stable mate, Tuchel. Amazing Victory nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance at an each-way price. Drombeg Banner a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead. The 10lb claims makes things interesting. Bourbonaire looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form.

Race 10: Mighty Stride had genuine excuses last start, failing to show up on the rain-affected going, and give another chance. He de- serves another chance to prove himself and is the form choice. Beauty Inspire every chance last start but still ran a good race, only narrowly beaten. The next-best winning chance. Taj Dragon go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Barrier 1 should suit him to a tee. Midori Beauty recent barrier trial was good, suggesting a good run can be expected. Beauty Missile has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone.