Jamie Richards hopes Zac Purton’s tactical skill will be sufficient to offset Alacrity’s challenging draw in the Class 3 Tan Shan River Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (2 April) as the Chilean Group 1 winner attempts to breakthrough in Hong Kong.
Bought as a BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) aspirant, Alacrity missed the 19 March Classic won by Voyage Bubble after failing to make the necessary progress to contest the race, but Richards is confident the talented galloper can gradually develop into a quality stayer.
“We were trying to get him (Alacrity) on a Derby path and things didn’t go our way, so we’ve just taken our time with him and we’ve been stepping up him up slowly in distance – 1400m, a mile (1600m) and now 1800m – and we’re looking forward to seeing how he goes on Sunday,” Richards said.
“We’re looking forward to the back half of the season with him and then next season, he’ll hopefully be a nice staying horse.”
Foremost among Sunday’s challenge against a couple of rivals with similarly impressive overseas form lines is how five-time Hong Kong champion jockey Purton conjures a winning path from barrier 14.
“He’s having no luck at all with barriers, it’s making it very difficult for us but I guess from the 1800m chute, he’s got a nice run down the back straight to find a spot,” Richards said.
“Zac usually likes to go forward a little bit, so hopefully we can find a spot midfield or a little bit better. We just need a little bit of luck, but the horse is going well, he’s trialled well here nicely but he’s got a bad gate with a big weight – he’s going to be at his best.”
Raced in Chile as Viejos Tiempos, the Lookin At Lucky gelding claimed the G1 Club Hipico de Santiago Falabella (2000m) before export to Hong Kong.
With a fourth and fifth under Karis Teetan – both from barrier 13 – at his only two Hong Kong starts, Alacrity has shaped nicely, but confronts two other well-credentialled gallopers at the weekend – Tony Cruz-trained La City Blanche and Danny Shum’s Romantic Charm.
La City Blanche won the G1 Gran Premio Jockey Club (2000m) in Argentina as Zodiacal before joining Cruz’s yard, subsequently running third at Happy Valley before finishing 10th in both the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) behind Voyage Bubble and in the same position behind Super Sunny Sing in the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m).
Romantic Charm joined Shum’s stable from Mick Price & Michael Kent (junior) after landing the G2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) in 2021 as Blue Army. Since arriving in Hong Kong, he has been unplaced in his only two outings.
Karis Teetan will bid for a second win this season on Amazing Victory when Peter Ho’s consistent galloper contests the Class 2 Beas River Handicap (1600m).
With three wins and four placings from eight starts this season, Amazing Victory has advanced from 57 to 80 in the handicap.
“He’s been racing well throughout the whole of the season and he’s gradually getting better with each and every race, so I’m looking forward to riding him again,” Teetan said. “He’s drawn well again and if it’s a true-run race, he’s going to be very competitive.”
Jerry Chau hopes Easy Snip can provide Benno Yung with his 300th win in Hong Kong when the gelding contests the Class 4 Kam Tin River Handicap (1200m).
Having finished no closer than sixth in his first 10 Hong Kong starts, Easy Snip has subsequently strung together three consecutive seconds.
“He’s been unlucky, he’s a really tough horse and he’s improved a lot this season. This time, he has an outside barrier so we’ll just ride him a bit quiet and let him finish,” Chau said. “With blinkers on, he has shown more interest, so this time hopefully we’ll get more luck.” - HKJC
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Flamingo Trillion video replay showed last run was very good as he had plenty of go wrong in running. Easy Snip looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after a slew of placings. Joy Coming having second start and can improve with experience after needing the hit out first-up. Fighting Star looks a place chance if holding form. Simple Hedge from astute yard and watch betting support on debut, but his trials haven’t been much good.
Race 2: Inspiring City will win in this grade very soon after turning in two good runs since the class drop. A lower draw enhances his chances here. Happy Forever second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve on his last-start fourth place. Happily Friends has a chance based on past form in this class of race and start to follow again. Day Day Rich has early speed and can always surprise with the right run. Heavenly Thought generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home.
Race 3: California Ten looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after his last-start second placing to Beauty Eternal. Amazing Victory every chance last start but still ran a good race and he will be getting his chance again here. Turin Redsun has finished close up recently and can run well from the low draw and under the apprentice claim. Spirited Express looked unlucky when being held up at a crucial stage last start, consider again. All For St Paul’s likes to jump and run and should be in the leading division.
Race 4: Equilibrium Turbo has been placed last two starts and is ready to win. Purton takes the ride, barrier 14 is ideal for the straight course and he should be getting his chance in a winnable race. Speedy Chariot had genuine excuses last start when on debut and consider again. Victory Scholars has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Healthy Healthy well prepared for debut and is worth considering after catching the eye in some of his trials. Speedy Fortune placed last start and looks a chance to run well again.
Race 5: Regent Glory was an easy last start winner and must be respected to run well again from his low draw where he should be getting the run of the race like last time. Blue Marlin last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Happy For All has shown ability and gets his chance to win here after he had excuses last start and has trialled well enough in between runs. Joyful Genius well-placed and looks a chance in race like this. Dream Pursuer down in class in this race and should perform better, start following.
Race 6: Plenty of decent chances in this race and you should be able to get a decent price on most runners. Robot Warrior ran the third fastest sectional time last start and is ready to win up to his pet distance. Super Hong Kong was an easy last start winner and must be respected to be competitive again. Kowloon Great racing consistently of late and expect another big run from his low draw. Flying Mojito consistent performer of late and worth considering as he too has drawn well. Incanto Prepared down in class in this race and should perform better. The booking of Purton piques interest.
Race 7: June Planet good performance when storming home for third place last start. Up to 1400m here looks the winning formula. Wide Blue Yonder placed last start and looks a chance to run well again from the low draw. Roman- tic Laos chance at value in a race like this after he had no luck last start and has trialled okay since. Speedstar last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. Hero Icon improving all the time with race experience, but the wide draw is the concern.
Race 8: Chiu Chow Spirit he has performed well on his two runs in Hong Kong so far and last run suggested a win was very near when he stormed home late into second place. Purton could be more positive on him early and that will make all the difference. Seasons Bliss nice run last start and looks to be back in good form. Golden Artie showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight, but they might revert to quieter tactics. Never Too Soon go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay. Captain Win ran the third fastest sectional time last start.
Race 9: Brave Dreams finished powerfully with the fastest sectional time ranking last start for a promising fourth at his first start in Class 3. He can improve further. Wonder Kit has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. He is improving all the time. Super Fortune should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, but the final 100m or so will be telling. Good Buddy fresh up from a break and should run well. Bundle Of Charm Purton takes the ride and a low draw could spark improvement.
Race 10: Open race to finish the card. Nicholson Returns every chance last start but still ran a good race which was his first start in Class 3. He gets another chance. Alacrity recent runs have been encouraging and can run well with luck from out wide. Satirical Glory narrowly beaten last start and goes close here if he gains an economical run. Escape Route last start winner who remains in the same grade and should run well again. Intrepid Winner eased early before going on to make late ground last time. Barrier 1 could make a world of difference.