Navas Two stands out at Sha Tin

Luke Middlebrook

Hong Kong racing continues at Sha Tin on Saturday with a 10-race turf and dirt fixture.

The Class 2 1400m Handicap (Race 9) is by far the race of the day, with a host of quality up-and-comers stepping out.

Progressive four-year-old Navas Two is the one they all have to beat as he looks to go one place better on his las-start first-up run when narrowly missing.

Navas Two has been one of trainer Richard Gibson’s revelations this season by winning three of his eight local starts after arriving a two-time winner and place getter from seven in Australia. Though he has yet to win in Class 2 since rising to the grade four starts ago, Navas Two has been far from disgraced as he has drawn no lower than barrier 12 in three of those four starts and has had excuses in running along the way.

Last seen 20 days ago when first-up off no trial, freshness may have got the better of Navas Two as, despite coming into barrier No 1, he began only fairly and settled last. As per usual, he did his best work late, missing by a short head on the wire.

With that run under the belt, and with a massive jockey change with Zac Purton riding for the first time, Navas Two looks primed.

Trainer David Hayes’ smart four-year-old Fantastic Treasure will be favoured to beat him as he also enters the race second-up and rising to his pet distance. Questions do remain how well he has come back this preparation after injury, but he has trialled well in between runs to suggest he’s in good form – time will tell!

There are also the likes of Buzzinga, Beauty Live and The Golden Scenery who boast solid chances – a race that, on paper, looks set to deliver a rib-tickler.

Elsewhere, trainer John Size's progressive three-year-old Bundle Of Charm will try to atone for a last-start defeat in the Class 4 1200m Handicap in Race 2.

Backing up some decent trials both in Australia and in Hong Kong, Bundle Of Charm won impressively on debut at this track and distance late last month. That day, he drew wide in barrier No 10 but had enough early toe to cut across and gain a perfect run in transit, eventually winning by 0.75 lengths.

Last start, Bundle Of Charm began fairly from barrier No 11, raced keenly thereafter and copped a check at the 1100m. He eventually finished a fair fourth place, beaten 1.75 lengths.