In familiar territory with Golden Sixty as the champion galloper prepares for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 11 December, Francis Lui is optimistic Superb Boy can provide positive stable momentum by winning the Class 3 Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup Handicap (1000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Occupying third place in the Hong Kong trainers’ championship with 17 wins behind Frankie Lor (20 wins) and Tony Cruz (19), Lui has five runners tomorrow and is hopeful Superb Boy build on his debut victory over 1000m on 23 October.
“He’s kept improving, he’s a lovely horse. He’s moving well,” Lui said of the Nicconi gelding, who jumps from barrier two under Zac Purton. “I don’t mind gate two, he’s got a big stride and he’ll just run his race. He’s getting stronger after his last run. He should run well.”
Formerly trained in Australia by Jean Dubois when known as Jerry, Superb Boy carried 120lb on debut and rises to 57kg on Sunday.
Monitoring the final phase of Golden Sixty’s preparation for a tilt at a third consecutive HK$30 million G1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) victory, Lui indicated the seven-year-old champion was thriving.
“He’s okay after the last run and, at the moment, I just try to keep him happy. He’s healthy, happy and is character is just the same. To me, I think he is a special horse. You can see every time, he just wants to pass a horse in front of him,” he said.
Derek Leung will team with Danny Shum’s More Than This in the Hong Kong Mile and is hopeful the Dutch Art gelding can contend strongly despite not winning since December, 2019.
“Hopefully, he can run well. He’s a big horse and he’s had only two runs this time and he keeps on improving. I hope he will be ready next week,” Leung said.
More immediately, Leung will take the ride on A Pal in the Class 3 Nathan Handicap (1400m) for Frankie Lor on Sunday.
“We were all very happy last time with the way that he won,” Leung said. “He had a good barrier and a good position and the track was good for him. I hope this time will be the same but we will see.
“Hopefully he can run well again. Last time, he was super impressive but the tempo was good for him. I hope it can be the same this time.” – HKJC
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Colourful Prince caught the eye last start when running home well in Class 4, drops into Class 5 here and can run a big race. Diamond Soars good effort last start leading all the way to win and he can do the same here. The Multiplier good performance when storming home for third place last start, chance again. Beauty Nova second start in this grade after drop- ping in class and could improve under Bowman. Tsuen Wan Glory another who is having his second try in Class 5 and can improve.
Race 2: Asian One ran the third fastest sectional time last start when unsuited over 1200m and the rise in distance suits his chances. Charizard drops down in grade and start following, on best form he’s a big chance. Encore recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. Boys Party faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Quorum best run to date was last start and appears to be improving, he can run a race under the apprentice claim here.
Race 3: Golden Bull was not disgraced last start when beaten by a very smart horse when on debut and, on that, he can prove hard to beat second-up. Sugar Sugar winner of last two starts and is a big chance here first-up, the testing material. Fast Buck second start and will be fitter after a fair fifth on debut, chance to improve. Smart Leader last start winner who rises in class but can measure up in a race lacking depth. Chicken Dance can bounce back a winner anytime in this class and keep safe.
Race 4: Ace Talent having second start and can improve with experience after trialling nicely in between runs. He can prove a winning chance here. Light Of Wanshi is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time and should be mapping a chance under Purton from gate 4. Call Me Teddy had excuses last start and forget the run. Miracles ran the fourth fastest sectional time last start and can run a good race from the low alley. Spontaneous drops down in grade and start following.
Race 5: Open race with many chances. Sun Of Makfi last run suggested a win was very near and he can get the run of the race from his low gate. Legion Of Merit form is good and must be rated a solid chance because of that. Righteous Doctrine was an easy last start winner and must be respected if he can get a good run from a wide alley. Shanghai Dragon showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight, he can do the same here. Chater Pins narrowly beaten last start and goes close here but has drawn wide and that looks tough.
Race 6: Superb Boy impressive last-start winner when on debut in Hong Kong who trialled well since and can win again. Run Run Cool has a good record over this track and distance and can bounce back anytime. Lucky Eight showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight under fast splits, he can improve under a quieter race shape. Brilliant Way fresh up from a break and should run well for Bowman. Golden Warsteed good performance when storming home for third place last start and is on the improve.
Race 7: Yes We Can nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance to go one place better here. True Legend scored a big win last start but questions remain if he can repeat the dose of that all-the-way success. Handsome Twelve had excuses last start (lame) and forget the run, big chance to improve provided good health. Copartner Elites had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Bear Slam can upset some more fancied rivals on best form and he could be open to improvement second-up.
Race 8: Good News had genuine excuses last start when caught wide but wasn’t beaten far. With more luck in the run, he can improve for Bowman here. Marado last start winner who remains in the same grade and can run well again with luck from out wide. Young Victory well supported last start and won accordingly, he can go on with it. Super Highway never far away from the winner and could sneak a place, he can hit the frame anytime. Blissful Star every chance last start when beaten favourite but still ran a good race.
Race 9: A Pal was an easy last start winner and he has ratings points in hand, he can win again stepping away from barrier 1 and in a race lacking depth he looks hard to beat. Amazing Victory nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance to upset the favourite. All Riches should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, he’ll give a big sight. Let’s Do It last start placing was full of merit, nice effort. California Redwood resuming from a break and the recent trial was okay.
Race 10: e good performance when returning to form last start and he can try to make all under the 10lb apprentice claim here. Ka Ying Master goes well first-up from a break and should be respected with Purton riding. Majestic Star has a good record over this track and distance and is in with a chance. Galaxy Witness has shown ability and gets his chance to win here with blinkers on first time. Super Win Dragon winner of last two starts and is a big chance here despite the rise in class.