Momentum is building for David Hayes in the trainers’ championship, and the Australian sends seven runners to Happy Valley on Wednesday as the battle with Mark Newnham continues.
The two are separated by the slenderest of margins at the top of the standings with Newnham on 35 winners for the season, and last season’s runner-up Hayes on 34.
Hayes, a two-time Hong Kong champion trainer, has closed the gap on his compatriot in recent weeks, outscoring Newnham by 12 wins to nine since the turn of the year. He’ll be aiming for winners at a third consecutive meeting on Wednesday, and his best hope of doing so may lie in Bienvenue, who makes a welcome return in the first section of the Class 3 Sam Chuk Handicap over 1200m.
The four-year-old is back on the track after more than three months out, having been found to have bled following a disappointing run on 5 November.
“He was a good, consistent horse at the start of the season,” said Hayes of the Star Turn gelding, who had recorded two wins and two seconds from five runs before his last run. “He’s had a really nice, slow build-up – a couple of trials. And his work after the trials was solid. So, we’re pleased to have Zac (Purton) on him, even though it’s a bit of an awkward gate.”
Hayes, an Australian Racing Hall of Famer, believes Bienvenue has plenty of room for improvement from his current rating of 68.
“I would have said at the start of the season, he’s similar to Romantic Son, and he’s mid-80s now. So, there’s a bit of room for him.”
Bienvenue’s biggest threat could be John Size-trained Amazing Kid, who steps into Class 3 company for the first time on the strength of three straight wins on the Happy Valley 1200m course.
Andrea Atzeni, who has been in the saddle for four of Size’s past seven winners during his recent resurgence, rides the Exceed And Excel gelding again. He’s confident that after not making the frame in seven outings before his winning streak, Amazing Kid can handle the step up in class.
“He’s obviously turned the corner. Once he got his head in front the first time, that seemed to do his confidence a lot of good,” the Italian said. “He seems like every time I’ve ridden him – and it’s a few times – he’s just kept improving. Hopefully, he can take another step forward with that weight in his favour.
“From Class 4 to Class 3, sometimes you don’t think it’s much, but it’s a big jump for a horse. The quality of the horses is different. But he’s done nothing wrong and he’s entitled to take his chance,” he added.
Following this meeting,Jerry Chau flies out to Saudi Arabia, where he will partner Manfred Man’s SelfImprovement in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint (1200m) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
The 25-year-old scored the biggest success of his career to date with the six-year-old in September when they scored a surprise victory in the G3 Korea Sprint (1200m, sand) in Seoul.
Chau believes the Deep Field gelding enjoyed experiencing new surroundings in South Korea, and that stands him in good stead for Saturday’s contest in Riyadh.
“It was a great moment forme this season, and it was a big surprise,” Chau said. “I was very confident in the horse before the race, because he handled the trip very well. I galloped him, and he was very patient and didn’t feel like he was getting upset there. Ithink he really liked travelling to another racecourse.” – Hong Kong JockeyClub
Race-by-RacePreviews
Race 1: BlingBling Genius let down well in a slowly run race last start and could finallybreak through with Purton aboard. Telecom Power produced an improved effortstepping up to this distance for the first time last start, and looks one tofollow from a good draw. Conspiracy Witness has performed honestly in Class 4and is expected to show improvement dropping to Class 5, though the wide drawremains a concern. Podium will need a genuine pace to unleash a strong finishand should not be overlooked. Perfect Peach had excuses last start (blood inthe trachea) and should run well fresh first-up.
Race 2: Nebraskansuited by the drop to 1000m, where he is two from two, and the booking ofPurton is another positive. Spicy Spangle finished a creditable fourth whenheavily backed on his Class 5 debut last start, and should be right in the mix.Thousand Cups placed in Class 4 two starts ago and could run a big racedropping to Class 5 if allowed to cross early from a wide draw. Exceed The Wishthe return to turf could spring a surprise and is worth a look as a valuechance. Island Breezes his recent runs have been encouraging but the awkwarddraw poses a challenge this time.
Race 3: InnoSuper stormed home for a slashing second last start, and from pole position, heshould map closer to the speed and go close. Prestige Ricky likes to get backand charge home late. He will make his presence felt if the pace suits.Northern Beast below his last winning mark, he should deliver a strong showingfirst-up with Purton aboard. Noble Pursuit has shown signs of regaining formsince dropping back to Class 4 two starts ago. Kolachi has tactical speed andcould sneak into the placings at long odds, given the low draw.
Race 4: Find My Love boasts a strong record in Class 4 and shapes as aleading contender, given his recent solid efforts in Class 3. Bits Superstarhas produced a few strong on-pace performances recently and must be respected.Superb King narrowly beaten last start and could go one better if he has someluck from the widest draw. Lucky Man has finally drawn a good gate and his pastform suggests he usually runs well from a favourable draw. Fortune Whiskeylooks capable of bouncing back anytime in this class, but his mixed recent formneeds to be justified by decent odds. </spanlang=en-sg>
Race 5: LeanMaster is expected to show sharp improvement with a better draw and the drop indistance. Bunta Baby with his consistent recent form, he shapes as a leadingcontender from pole position. Happy United had genuine excuses last start(raced wide) and could cause an upset with a kinder run in transit likely froma good draw. Beauty Thunder just missed last start but the wide draw could makethings tricky this time. Star Performer found the line well late last start,and a Top 3 finish wouldn’t surprise in this field.
Race 6: Flying Fortress a tardy start blunted his winning chances at Sha Tinlast time out, and he is suited by the return to Happy Valley, where he hadpreviously finished two consecutive seconds. Max Que scored a strong win inthis class last start and a double looks within reach despite the weight rise.Mister Dapper a natural frontrunner, he could hang in there all day if theconditions suit. Withallmyfaith showed good early speed and finished a solidthird at Sha Tin last start. He looks well weighted to make amends. Kempes hasability and could cause an upset if things fall his way. </spanlang=en-sg>
Race 7: Meowth always a threat in this class and looks well placed in abelow-par Class 4 field to return to the winner’s list. Flying Wrote produced asolid effort last start despite being trapped wide, and with a low draw, hecould make amends. Diriya has been far from disgraced in his recent runs at ShaTin, and with a more manageable field at Happy Valley, he could prove a valuechoice. The Heir with a strong turn of foot, he will make a late surge if theyoverdo it up front. Giant Leap could run a big race dropping back to Class 4 ifallowed to dictate from a wide draw. </spanlang=en-sg>
Race 8: SovereignFund was used up early from a wide draw last start, and with a more measuredride, he could surprise at value on his return to the city circuit. MightyCommander his recent fast-finishing efforts are eye-catching, making him astrong contender in this field. Amazing Kid has completed a hat-trick in Class4 and remains a strong chance, despite stepping up to Class 3. Power Koeppcomes off a solid on-pace third last week but will need some luck from a widedraw. Bienvenue resuming from a break, his recent trial was quiet and thebetting market should reveal the story.
Race 9: Awide-open affair without a clear standout, Spirit Of Peace caught the eyerunning on well off a slow pace last start and should figure in the finish withthe light weight. Lucky Planet will give them something to chase if allowed asoft lead. Perfect General hard to overlook given his strong recent form andmust be included among the better chances. Refusetobeenglish flashed home lateinto second last start and should run well again, despite the wide draw. BeautyGlory his last run was better than it looks and he could place at long oddswith a more economical run likely from a low draw. - iRACE Magazine