Douglas Whyte is optimistic Majestic Knight can hop back on a trail of ascendancy when he lines up in Thursday’s HK$2.84 million Class 2 Briar Handicap over 1000m at Happy Valley.
Well beaten last start after racing wide throughout to finish 11th, Majestic Knight returns in a bid to capture his fourth city circuit victory this season.
“If you look at when he won the start before and the way he ran due to circumstances and positioning – I think we can put a line through that,” Whyte said.
The Australian-bred faces six challenging opponents: Nervous Witness, Whizz Kid, Copartner Ambition, Baby Crystal, Beauty Waves and Humble Star.
“It’s quite a hot field with a few light weight runners, but he’s really going well. It looks like his pet distance, where they go hard and he can get over the top of them,” Whyte said.
Nervous Witness sports cheekpieces for the first time, while Beauty Waves seeks a third win from his last four starts. Majestic Knight carries a career-high rating of 98, is assigned top weight, gate six and jockey Hugh Bowman.
“Top weight is a bit of a concern. The light weight runners will probably make him work for it, but he’s a tough and burly horse – he will carry the weight. There’s always a concern though when you have a few light weights over 1000 metres,” Whyte said.
Aiming to enhance his 36 wins this campaign, Whyte has also entered Colourful Baron, Colourful Prince, Happy Trio, Me Time, Sterling Wongchoy, Zoom Boom, Fortunate Son and Young Arrow.
Zoom Boom is a two-time winner at Happy Valley. The Irish-bred features in the Class 3 Cheong Ming Handicap (1650m) with jockey Harry Bentley.
“He’s been fantastic and he’s a model of consistency. He should have won another two races probably this season, but he’s holding his form,” Whyte said.
The lightly raced Me Time is making steady progress and will have his seventh start in the Class 4 Shing Ping Handicap (1800m).
“He’s also been a bit unlucky due to circumstances,” Whyte said.
Whyte has made a swift transition to the training ranks with 204 wins after debuting as a handler ahead of the 2019/20 season. The former jockey was a dominant force in Hong Kong beforehand, winning 13 consecutive championships.
“I’m very pleased with this season, I have a lot of young horses coming through now which haven’t been able to race due to timing and a lot of older horses who have done a very good job throughout the season. So, it’s been a bit of a mix and match season for me, but I’m very happy with the way it’s gone,” Whyte said.
The South African is looking forward to next term. Whyte’s career-best haul came in 2021/22, where trained 46 winners and won three Group 1 races in Hong Kong.
“I think I’ll be kicking off pretty quickly next season with a lot of young horses who are in the system already. So, it won’t take them as long as it has this season – it’s exciting.
“They’ve acclimatised and they’ve had a couple of trials. They’re ready for a break now and then they’ll be ready for another trial next season and be up and going,” Whyte said.
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: The Khan down in class in this race and looks ready to run a big race from pole position. Dragon Delight had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, can improve into the money with a better run in transit. Beau Gosse will be suited by the rise in distance and can prove a knockout chance. Happihood was placed at big odds two starts back and not out of it. Tattenham from champion trainer contender Pierre Ng’s stable, he drops in grade and is worth following.
Race 2: Beauty Waves has been racing in consistent form and must be rated a solid chance. Majestic Knight had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, worth giving another chance. Whizz Kid faded late last start, chance to improve under right race shape. Nervous Witness it pays to discount his last start when pulled up lame. He can be hard to run down provided a soft lead. Baby Crystal is a distance specialist and looks one of the major players here.
Race 3: Ma Comet has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Grand Nova good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, and with Bowman remaining in the saddle, he can go one place better. Notthesillyone newcomer who is well prepared for debut and is worth considering. Parents’ Love last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Modest Gentleman was eased early before catching the eye late last time out, appears well weighted to run well.
Race 4: Golden Rise caught the eye last start when running home well, is edging close to another win. Circuit Seven good performance when returning to form last start, he should endure a nice run from a low draw. Speedy Smartie placed last start and looks a chance to run well again. My Intelligent finished a slashing second in Class 5 last time, cannot be ignored despite the rise in class. Hercules racing well with good sectional time rankings recently.
Race 5: Northern Beast had huge betting support last run and won easily, a double looks well within his reach after drawn well again. Sturdy Ruby Stormed home into second last start and can make his presence felt under the right race shape. Dragon Star from the in-form Pierre Ng stable, he can be hard to run down if afforded an easy lead. Foremost Teddy had heath issues last start and forget the run, could surprise at odds from a low draw. Snowalot A proven performer in this class, whose recent runs have been encouraging.
Race 6: Serangoon hasn’t drawn a good barrier in his last four starts and he can score an overdue win from a low draw. Joy Of Spring last start winner who remains in the same class, and appears well placed to perform strongly again. Intrepid Winner looks a solid contender based on last start, include among the better. Special Hedge form is good and is getting close to another victory. Satirical Glory a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead.
Race 7: Super Highway had genuine excuses last start when caught wide. He should run a much improved race making his Happy Valley debut. So Treasure disappointing last start but worth giving another chance based on his previous solid efforts. Travel Golf looks a solid chance based on last start, but will need to overcome a wide draw. Camino more than capable of winning again if the race unfolds to his favour. Flying Wrote led all the way to break through last time out and remains a wining chance after drawing well.
Race 8: Aestheticism good performance when storming home for a nice second last start, he can prove a big winning chance from a decent draw. Zoom Boom recent form has been encouraging and must be rated a solid chance. Jolly Ruler consistent form lately and commands plenty of respect. Red Hare King last start winner who remains in the same grade, but needs a good steer from Bowman after drawing wide. Jumbo Legend Has not disgraced himself since rising to this class two starts ago, consider with better odds.
Race 9: Healthy Healthy gave a good sight last start and looks ready to run a big race from a low draw. Golden Empire had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, generally performs well under a slow tempo. Astrologer is back in good form and must be considered a chance. Righteous Arion go on the win two starts ago and give a chance here. Nordic Dragon last start placing was full of merit, but a wide draw makes things tricky here.