Purton, Cruz search for more celebrations

Zac Purton believes Circuit Stellar’s barrier manners will be crucial to the outcome of the HK$4.2 million Group 3 Celebration Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tony Cruz searches for a third successive victory in the season’s first Group contest.

To face only five rivals this weekend – Beauty Joy, Healthy Happy, Straight Arron, Encountered and The Golden Scenery – Circuit Stellar competed in 15 races last season for three wins, six minor placings and finishing no further back than sixth in a sustained display of remarkable consistency.

Starting last season on a mark of 80, the Irish-bred finished the campaign on 105, having posted two Group 3 second placings with performances Purton hopes can deliver his fourth G3 Celebration Cup Handicap triumph after previous success with California Spangle (2022) and Beauty Generation (2018 and 2019).

“He (Circuit Stellar) is a little bit of a tricky horse from the gates. Sometimes he steps a bit slowly and if that happens, he races a bit further back. But if he begins well, he can be right there. It will be up to him on the day,” Purton said.

“I haven’t spoken to Tony about the horse yet, either, so I’m not sure what his thoughts are but the horse was racing really well towards the back end of last season and Tony’s horses are racing well, so hopefully he can come out and do something for us.”

Apart from Circuit Stellar, Cruz – who has won the past two editions of the race with California Spangle and Buddies – will be represented by Beauty Joy and The Golden Scenery.

Danny Shum hopes Hugh Bowman, who currently leads the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship with nine wins from Purton (five), can help Nordic Dragon deliver his first Sha Tin win when the talented galloper contests the Class 2 HKU Foundation Handicap (1200m).

“(The) key metric is Hugh Bowman. He’s got good hands, he can teach the horse to relax and finish,” Shum said. “(Nordic Dragon) is very good, he’s very healthy and he’s trialled very good and (after) the final gallop (on Thursday, 21 September), Hugh Bowman gave me a very positive report.”

A Hong Kong International Sale Graduate, Nordic Dragon boasts five wins from seven Happy Valley starts but finished eighth in his sole Sha Tin attempt last season.

“This (his ability to handle Sha Tin) is the only concern – some concern – but you have to try,” Shum said of the four-year-old, who reeled off three successive wins at the end of his last preparation. “His rating is 93 and we don’t have much races in Happy Valley at this stage. “I think he’s improving – I don’t know how much – but he is improving.”

While Shum saddles six runners at Sha Tin this weekend, he will eagerly monitor the feedback from Romantic Warrior’s gallop at Werribee in Australia, where the star stayer is preparing for the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 7 October.

Shum said the three-time Hong Kong Group 1 winner was slowly adjusting to a new feed and had acclimatised positively to his adopted surroundings.

“He’s got used to the Werribee weather, the track – he’s quite nice. Ben So, my AT (assistant trainer) and my work rider, every morning we talk and they give me a good report, not a fantastic report, but a good report,” Shum said.

“He will gallop on the turf at Werribee tomorrow morning (Saturday, 23 September). Actually, James McDonald wanted to come (to ride trackwork) but I said ‘No, let the boys do the gallop first’ but I will send Romantic Warrior and Romantic Charm to Flemington at six o’clock on the first October and James McDonald will gallop him.”

Jamie Richards hopes his patience will be rewarded when Hinokami Kagura debuts in the Class 4 HKU Libraries Handicap (1200m) after an extended preparation including five trials across the past two seasons.

“I’ve been happy with him. We’ve had this race in mind with him for a while and we’re pleased with the way he’s been trialling up – first-up in an open race. Going there confident he’s going to run well but it’s a little bit hard to assess how these young horses are really going to perform under the pressure comes on race day,” Richards said.

“He’s a nice type of horse, he’s by a good sire (Deep Field) here in Hong Kong and I look forward to him making his debut.”

Hinokami Kagura will be ridden by Karis Teetan.

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Rubylot has trialled well for debut and should be rated a winning chance first-up from the low barrier draw. Super Bonus fresh up from a break and should run well for Ng and Purton from barrier 4. Kaholo Angel recent barrier trial was impressive, suggesting a good run can be expected. Hinokami Kagura well prepared for debut and the trials have been pass marks, could run a race here given the lack of depth. Joyful Prosperity has been steadily improving and do not dismiss, but place claims seem best.

Race 2: Wide-open Class 5 contest with plenty of hopes. High Cloud making Class 5 debut and must be respected with the man of the moment, Hugh Bowman, taking the reins. Colourful Baron change of trainer recently and can improve, and his Class 5 form is solid. Chiron has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Needs to make use of the low draw but will run a race. Sun Of Makfi drawn wide for Purton but warrants plenty of respect in a race such as this. M M Nebula backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again.

Race 3: The first Group race of the season and only a small field lining up. Encountered winner of last three starts and looks a top chance to pick up where he left off last season and continue his winning ways. He is flying. Circuit Stellar nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance with Purton on board. Beauty Joy goes well first-up from a break and boasts strong form. He can be erratic, but he has the form on the board for a race like this. Straight Arron promising stayer who can sprint well fresh here. Healthy Happy looks a solid good chance based on last start. Can be on-pace for a long while.

Race 4: Another wide-open AWT race. Fast Buck has a top jockey in the saddle and that will help his chances second-up. Should map ideally from barrier 2. Mission Bravo change of trainer recently and can improve based on his AWT trial two trials ago. Billionaire Secret well-placed and looks a chance in race like this, but will need luck from out wide. Righteous Doctrine can bounce back a winner anytime in this class, each-way chances. All Are Mine second start in Class 4 and could improve.

Race 5: Worth taking a punt on Lucky Fun here, who races first-up for a new trainer (Pierre Ng) and is very well rated now. Blinkers go on first time and piques plenty of interest. Island Golden looks a solid good chance based on last start and he will map with all the favours for Avdulla. Go Hero recent barrier trial was decent, suggesting a good run can be expected. Affirm resuming from a break and the recent trial was okay. Always Fluke placed last start and has since trialled okay.

Race 6: Plenty of chances in this 1000m dash down the straight. Happy Mission changed trainer to Newnham and trialled very well recently in blinkers. From barrier 14, he should gain the right run to get the win. Run Run Cool can upset some more fancied rivals on best form, and he has drawn the right part of the track. Ka Ying Spirit had vet excuses last start and forget the run, can improve. Cheval Valiant should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Pleasant Endeavor goes well first-up from a break and should be respected.

Race 7: Taj Dragon well supported last start and won accordingly. He can go on with it first-up off a good-looking trial win. Brave Dreams last start winner who remains in the same grade and Bowman rides, has to be considered. Yellowfin rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up after he broke through for a smart last-start win in Class 4. Flagship Warrior change of trainer recently and can improve. Beauty Missile recent runs have been encouraging and can run well on an each-way basis.

Race 8: Green N White a last start winner who trialled well since and he looks to have more to come this season. He should take beating again. Noble Pursuit having second start and can improve with experience. Drawn the paint under Bowman and his debut run last season was a pass mark. Casa Cosmo looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start. Can’t Go Wong drops down in grade and start following, start to follow. Lost Child has shown ability and gets his chance to win here.

Race 9: Snaffles good performance when storming home for third place last start and he looks ready to win second-up. California Ten down in class in this race and should perform better. Big Red good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and he is on the verge of a first Hong Kong win. Happy Together change of trainer recently and can improve. Not tested in a recent trial but looked well. Secret Vision last start winner who remains in the same grade and maps a chance from gate four.

Race 10: Handy race to end the card Nordic Dragon winner of last three starts and looks a top chance to continue his winning ways now that the penny has dropped. Drawn wide, but will get back and be hard to hold out. Packing Treadmill had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race. Nice horse who goes well fresh and should be in the finish. Flying Ace was slow to begin last start but made good ground late. Beauty Charge had excuses last start when racing wide without cover. Bundle Of Charm was not disgraced last start when beaten by a very smart horse.