John Size hopes a powerful string headed by HK$3.72 million Class 1 Panasonic Cup Handicap (1400m) contenders Tuchel and Red Lion will deliver the master trainer’s 1,500th Hong Kong win at Sha Tin on Saturday.
Bidding to become only the second handler after fellow Australian John Moore (1,735) to prepare 1,500 winners or more in Hong Kong, Size was both reflective and future focused as he contemplated the landmark.
“All the milestones are important and you tick off things as they go along. One thing about records or milestones that you attain, they’re there forever, they’re part of history and they’re pretty important. Hopefully, I’ll get the 1,500 soon and we’ll put it behind us,” said Size, who will saddle 11 runners.
Entered for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) on 10 December, BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) runner-up Tuchel resumes under Hugh Bowman from barrier No 6 with Size anticipating another strong campaign from the gelding.
“He raced consistently all the way through the season, he was in pretty good shape most of the time and he acquitted himself very well – he just got beaten (a short head by Voyage Bubble) in the Derby and I suppose that was a very good effort,” Size said.
“He’s had a good break and a bit of time off to try and recuperate. He seems alright at the moment and we’ll learn more when we go to the races. He’s got a handicap (61.5kg) that he has live up to and perform first-up from a break, which is not easy to do, but he’ll have to improve on that to win the race. So, if he can run up to his handicap, he’s probably doing very well.”
With six wins and seven minor placings from 16 starts, Tuchel has advanced from a rating of 52 to 106.
Size will also be represented by another Longines HKIR entrant Red Lion, who is again shaping positively after strong recent trials.
“He trials well normally probably because of the surface of the all-weather track at Sha Tin – I think he handles it okay. He does look good in the trials, but he takes it to the races also. He’s been very consistent, he’s a very diligent worker, he likes his training and his racing and he always seems to run a good race in all different track conditions,” Size said.
Resuming following after missing five meetings through suspensions, Bowman will also ride David Hall-trained Invincible Sage – another Longines HKIR entrant – in the Class 3 Panasonic 4KTV Handicap (1000m) as the bids to cut Zac Purton’s two-win lead in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship.
“He (Invincible Sage) was dominant off a pretty hot speed last start and hopefully they’ll run along again,” Bowman said. “When I asked him for an effort (last start), his performance was outstanding – I think it’s fair to expect a similar performance.
“I think there’s still progression, he came from Australia with good, consistent form, lightly raced and he seems to have settled in well, he’s got the right temperament to do well in Hong Kong. I guess this is still a stepping-stone but, win, lose or draw, I can still see him being effective once he goes up into Class 2, this horse.”
Assessing Hong Kong’s sprinting ranks headed by Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington, Bowman is optimistic Invincible Sage can advance from his current mark of 80 to eventually contend at higher levels.
“Outside of those two (Lucky Sweynesse and Wellington), we’re waiting to see who’s going to put their hand up and I’ll be as interested as everyone else to see where this guy measures up,” Bowman said. “Whether it’s just now or six or 12 months away, he’s a pretty handy horse.” – Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Super Legends a last start winner who trialled well since. Gets barrier 1 under a returning Hugh Bowman and can go on with it. Rubylot looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. Receives every chance here. Mission Voice newcomer who has trialled well for debut. Barrier 12 is awkward but Purton rides. Kaholo Angel last start placing was full of merit, nice effort. Maps well from gate 3. Panda has been very well prepared with several trials, watch the betting. He could run well on debut.
Race 2: Fiery Flying looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. From barrier 2 under Bowman, he won’t have many excuses. Happy Hero had genuine excuses last start and can improve in this race with Purton taking over the reins from barrier 3. Starship Eighty recent runs have been encouraging and can run well for an in-form Pierre Ng. Copartner Era had excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race, look for improvement here. Fortune Triple well supported last start and won accordingly. The extra distance suits but barrier 13 is tricky.
Race 3: Invincible Sage scored a big win last start and it will pay to keep following. The penny has dropped and he looks a nice horse with more to come. Super Commander form is good and must be rated a solid chance on the light weight. Golden Darci former New Zealand galloper well prepared for debut and watch the betting. Recent AWT trial was only fair but two trials prior were decent. Summit Cheers last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. Metro Warrior an on-pace runner who could finish in the placings in a race like this.
Race 4: Billionaire Secret has been running on well and could surprise here coming into a lower gate for once. Purton rides, Ng is in great form, plenty of boxes are ticked. Dazzling Fellow last start placing was full of merit, nice effort. Jubilation winner of last two starts and looks a top chance despite the rise in class. Super Hong Kong has a good record over this race distance and could improve. Forever Glorious can lead and give a sight.
Race 5: Master Of Fortune turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly into fifth over 1800m. Better back to the mile here and this isn’t a strong race. Beauty Fit backing up quickly from a good last start effort and can run well again. Precise Express well supported last start and won accordingly. Back up into Class 3 but can measure up. Silver King having first start and watch the betting odds, his trials have been full of promise. Speed Dragon has been very well prepared with several trials, watch the betting. He could run a race.
Race 6: Noble Pursuit more than capable of winning again in this race after breaking through stylishly last time. He should have more to come. Holy Lake good performance when returning to form last start when blinkers went on first time. A win is nearby. Volcanic Spark well prepared for debut and is worth considering. The trials have been good. Chateau drawn well and should gain a nice run in transit and Purton in the saddle piques plenty of interest. Gluck Racer changed stables recently and has improved after an easy last-start win.
Race 7: Circuit Stellar a fast beginner who can run well in the small field. Boasts plenty of strong Group form for a race like this and looks the likely winner. Tuchel goes well first-up from a break and should be respected. Meets some fitter rivals first-up but has the talent to be in the finish. Sauvestre showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight and he appears suited by the speed map here. Dancing Code caught the eye last start when running home well. Atullibigeal well supported last start and won accordingly. Look for another strong finish late here.
Race 8: Aestheticism backing up quickly from a good last start effort when he had no luck and can run well again. Mister Dapper turned in a very nice debut run without much luck and looks to have good ability. Noble Win had excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. He can improve here. Northern Beast last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. He’s getting close to a win. Celtic Times recent runs have been encouraging and can run well from an on-pace position.
Race 9: Moduleconstruction nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance to continue his winning ways. Trialled nicely in between runs and won’t have many excuses from barrier 1. Champion Method quality type who remains unbeaten to date and will go close again despite the rise in class. Speed Sword newcomer who has trialled well for debut. He should run a race first-up. Viva Chaleur ran on well in a recent trial and should be considered. Mugen resuming from a break and trialled well recently. He can improve here.
Race 10: Joyful Hunter disappointing last start but worth giving another chance here. Trialled well in between runs and maps nicely from barrier 3. Ka Ying Cheer nice 4yo with a good chance here. Up in class but has drawn barrier 2 and should give a good sight on the light weight. Flying Mojito last start winner who rises in class but can measure up. He should have more to come this season. Amazing Victory caught the eye last start when running home well, which is usual, and expect similar here. Hyper Dragon Ball recent runs have been encouraging and can run well from the low draw.