Mile tempo to suit Tomodachi in HK

Tomodachi Kokoroe is aiming crown a superb season when he steps up in distance to contest the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Sun Jewellery Handicap over 1650m today at the season’s final Happy Valley fixture.

Untested beyond 1400m, Tomodachi Kokoroe has won four times over 1200m in Hong Kong for trainer David Hayes. The Written Tycoon gelding was a six-time winner in Australia pre-import, scoring over 875m, 950m (twice), 1200m, 1250m and 1400m.

“We’re trying the mile. He’s had a marvellous season. I think the tempo of a mile in this class, like over the 1400m, is probably better suited to him than sprints,” Hayes said.

Tomodachi Kokoroe attempted to make all last start at odds of 67-1 in Class 2 over 1400m at Sha Tin. The five-year-old was caught late by a short-head.

“I thought he’d won, really, we just got beaten on the post. It was very, very good. It’s hard to think he can go much better than he’s gone but he has proven that he can compete off his current rating (94),” Hayes said.

A Class 1 winner at Happy Valley, Tomodachi Kokoroe steps away from gate No 4 with jockey Zac Purton, assigned 61kg, against Helene Feeling (61.5kg), Outgate (59.5kg), Adefill (58.5kg), Chill Chibi (57.5kg), Yellowfin (57.5kg), Berlin Tango (57kg), Turin Mascot (53kg), Woodfire Bro (53kg) and Universal Horizon (52.5kg).

Hayes has 47 wins this term and is looking forward to next season.

“I think it’s gone pretty good. I’ve had around 48 horses for most of the season, it’s built up with the horses I am planning to run next season. I might get to 50 winners this week if I can have a couple of winners, so it’s been pretty good.

“I’ve got some nice horses coming through and a potential top-line sprinter (Ka Ying Rising). I also have a lot of horses who are well rated for next season, so I have more horses and I have some well rated ones,” Hayes said.

While Hayes nears the end of his 14th season in Hong Kong (across two stints), Mark Newnham is currently closing out a stellar debut campaign which has returned 31 wins from 331 runners.

“I had a target in my mind of 30 wins and we got there with a couple of meetings to spare. I think it’s gone as I hoped and as I planned, I thought it would be a good second half and it has been,” Newnham said.

Newnham was a long-time assistant to Gai Waterhouse in Sydney, Australia before going out on his own to net over 400 wins Down Under, including a handful at Group 1 level.

“We still have a lot of untried horses in the stable. There are around 20 horses in the stable who haven’t raced in Hong Kong. I’m planning to improve and I hope the horses follow the plan, I think we’ve set ourselves up to have a good next season – we have some depth and some untried stock,” Newnham said.

Newnham saddles three runners at Happy Valley, led by Youthful Spirits, who chases consecutive wins in the Class 3 Lucky Patch Handicap (1000m) under Purton.

“He’s in really good order. I gave him a gallop myself last Thursday on the grass and he was really sharp. You have to use his speed and Zac (Purton) did that the other day, so it was great,” Newnham said.

The Shamus Award gelding has drawn barrier No 1 tomorrow night.

“He went fast all of the way and he ran them into the ground. His asset is his speed and that’s how you have to ride him. He might step up to 1200m in the future but he’ll need to learn to use himself a little bit better throughout the early part. At the moment while there is a 1000m race on that’s his target,” Newnham said.

Meanwhile, Pierre Ng and Francis Lui continue their trainers’ championship tussle with Ng leading by one win (67-66). Lui has entered nine runners to Ng’s eight at the Valley.

Danny Shum leads the unofficial Happy Valley trainers’ championship by one win ahead of Caspar Fownes (32-31). Fownes, Hong Kong’s most successful trainer at the inner-city course, has seven chances to catch Shum. - Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Happy Tango Has shown improvement since dropping back to Class 5 and was narrowly beaten last start, he can go close here. Jazz Club consistent performer of late and worth considering, he can bounce back anytime in Class 5. Easy Two turned in a nice effort four days ago when finishing strongly, can be included among the better. Goodmanship looks well placed and can be placed at value. Noble One dropped in the ratings and appears well suited at this level.

Race 2: Fruity Warrior overlook the last start effort as there were genuine excuses. With Bowman jumping on board, he looks ready to make amends dropping to Class 5. Running Boy showed improvement at a recent trial, he is another who will relish dropping to the cellar grade. Go Go Go recent runs have been encouraging and his consistency could get rewarded here. Keen Unity finished powerfully in a slowly run race last start. Ninja Derby his best run to date was last outing where he raced on the speed and stuck on for a solid second.

Race 3: Matsu Victor caught the eye last start when running home strongly, he has since trialled well, and it is no surprise to see Purton taking the ride. Atomic Beauty a proven performer in this class and his last run was much better than it looks. Brave Witness looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start, he can make amends given a smooth run in transit. Winning Steps good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Super Baby fast beginner who may be able to sneak a place.

Race 4: Harold Win looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start, he appears a good winning chance for Francis Lui at the Valley finale. Amazing Ace overlook the last start effort as there were genuine excuses, he should run a much-improved race with Purton jumping on board. Sight Hero showed good improvement last start and appears to be a chance. Lucky Planet remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here if he can find a soft lead. Golden Champion outperformed market expectation with a slashing second last time out, worth considering.

Race 5: Joy Coming he will relish dropping back to Class 4, where he boasts a reliable record of three wins and two placings from 13 starts. Prime Mortar possessing versatility in running, he is always dangerous in this grade. Camino backing up quickly from a good last star effort and can run well again. Vantastic Choice will find this easier than last start and he could surprise at value. Giant Leap best run to date was last start and appears to be improving.

Race 6: Turin Mascot checked into a solid third last time out and he looks well weighted to return to the winner’s list. Yellowfin a front-runner whose recent runs have been encouraging, and he can be hard to run down under the right race shape. Chill Chibi finished powerfully with fastest sectional time ranking last start, keep safe. Tomodachi Kokoroe was narrowly beaten over 1400m at Sha Tin last start, the extra distance may suit him even better. Helene Feeling did not disgrace at his last run and must be rated a chance here.

Race 7: Prince Of Porty turned in a nice effort last run when attacking the line strongly, he can bounce back anytime in Class 4. Lean Master dangerous frontrunner who can be hard to catch if he can dictate on his own terms in front. Gimme Five looks a solid good chance based on his solid second-place finish last start. Nebraskan looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start, is worth giving another chance. Lapras looks a lightweight chance and can be placed at value.

Race 8: Ka Ying Cheer has recently been knocking on the door, and the Pierre Ng-trained galloper should map well from a low draw and can be hard to run down. Youthful Spirits was an easy last start winner in this class and looks on track for a double with Purton remaining in the saddle. Red Elegance showed signs of regaining form when storming home for a nice win in Class 4 last start. Sugar Sugar last run was much better than it looks and watch the betting. Red Elegance rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up.

Race 9: A wide-open race with multiple winning chances. Supreme Agility charged home strongly to finish fourth with the second fastest final 400m sectional time last start. Hameron turned in a nice effort last run and he can go on with it from a low draw. Awesome Fluke winner of last two starts and he looks on track for a hat-trick if afforded a soft lead again. Romantic Laos caught wide last start and still ran well, he has to be respected as a proven performer in this class. Rising From Ashes should be highly suited by the rise in distance and may secure a spot in the Top 3.