Frankie Lor concedes a significant rise in the handicap ratings leaves Money Catcher with a difficult challenge when the gelding attempts to post consecutive wins in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap over 1800m at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Money Catcher carried only 52.5kg last season in downing Beauty Joy and Senor Toba to claim the 2022 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse, but the six-year-old’s advance to a mark of 117 from 95 at the start of last season will see him shoulder 61.5kgthis weekend.
Attempting to become the first galloper to secure consecutive Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse wins since Viva Macau, who triumphed under Darren Beadman in 2007 and the following year for Zac Purton, Money Catcher faces a formidable assignment, according to Lor.
“Last year, he carried 115 pounds (52.5kg). This year, he carries 135 pounds (61.5kg), so the difference is 20 pounds (9kg) – which is quite a bit. But, anyway, he’s in good form. The only worry is the weight,” Lor said.
“Last season, we always had light weights and it was easier but this season, like this coming Sunday, he’s carrying a big weight so maybe it’s going to be a little bit different. But, anyway, he’s still in good form.”
To start from barrier three under Alexis Badel, Money Catcher will attempt to build on his fifth behind California Spangle when resuming in the G2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) on 15 October.
Reunited with Super Sunny Sing, Matthew Chadwick hopes the gelding’s improved physique and maturity will allow Chris So’s stable star to push for victory in the HK$4.2 million G3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin tomorrow.
Chadwick replaces suspended Vincent Ho on Super Sunny Sing as the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) winner attempts to advance claims towards a possible start in the HK$32 million Grade 1 Longines Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin on 10 December.
Spelled after finishing eighth in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) behind Voyage Bubble in March, Super Sunny Sing has benefited from the break, according to Chadwick.
“After his Four-Year-Old Classic Series preparation, he had six months off and he came back this season and he’s now a different horse. When I trialled him, he was heavy but he was more mature. His last trial was definitely his best as far as how he’s come along in his career and with his physique,” said Chadwick, who has partnered the five-year-old to a win and two placings from three rides.
“He’s well weighted (53.5kg), it’s a small field so it will be interesting to see how it pans out. I’m going to ride him to his merits and I’m confident with him. He’s got a lovely action now and he’s matured a lot better now, so he’s becoming a proper racehorse.
“Fingers crossed and I’m looking forward to the run.”
Winner of the Tony Cruz Award in 2021/22 as Hong Kong’s leading home-grown jockey, Chadwick hopes to guide Super Sunny Sing to a maiden Group 3 victory against Money Catcher, Encountered, Senor Toba, Straight Arron, Running Glory, Tourbillon Diamond, Nimble Nimbus, Champion Dragon and La City Blanche.
Six-time Hong Kong champion Zac Purton will ride John Size-trained Running Glory as the lightly-built gelding bids for an eighth victory from 22 starts.
“He’s a little bit of a victim of his consistency. He always runs well and, unfortunately, he weighs a little less than 1,000 pounds and quite often has to carry quite a bit of weight, so it’s not easy,” Purton said. “But he tries – that’s one thing he does, he tries. He gets in with a reasonable weight this time.”
Purton has twice previously tasted Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse glory aboard Viva Macau in 2008 and Time Warp in 2018.
Purton has a full book of 10 rides tomorrow, hoping to add to the 20 wins and 41 minor placings he has accumulated from 125 mounts so far this season before he travels to Australia to ride Willie Mullins-trained Absurde in the Grade 1 Melbourne Cup over 3200m on Tuesday. – Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Open Class 5 contest. Noble One drops down in grade and start following. Good form at the bottom of Class 4 and well placed to score from a mid-draw. Casa Legend will win in this grade very soon. Widest barrier a concern but Purton rides. Fortune Master good performance when storming home for a nice second last start. Another similar run could be expected from his wide gate. Compulsory caught the eye last start when running home well. Barrier 1 suits. Super Joy change of trainer recently and can improve. His trial suggests he has come on.
Race 2: Fairly open Class 4 race here. Meepmeep from astute yard (John Size) and is well prepared, naturally. Draws barrier 1 first-up with Purton in the plate and might just be good enough to score on debut. I Give winner of last three starts and looks a top chance to run well again. Drawn wide but can find the front and give a sight. Happy For All good performance when storming home for third place last start. Back in form and can be followed. Joyful Life good trial when not tested ahead of his debut. Massive Talent turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly.
Race 3: Parents’ Love newcomer who has trialled well for debut and look ready to win. Shown plenty of gate speed and stamina in his trials and looks talented. Hong Kong Hall a last start winner who trialled well since and resumes here. Drawn perfectly for the straight and should have more to come this term. Wunderbar well prepared for debut from the John Size yard and is worth considering. Amazing Ace looks a solid good chance based on last start. Multisuper remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here with Purton in the saddle.
Race 4: Pakistan Friend racing in career-best form, winning his last three, and must be rated a good chance to go on with it. Should get all favours from gate 1. Aestheticism looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He should receive every chance under Purton. Lucky Eternity had no luck last start but keep following. Master Hero has been placed last two starts and deserves a win soon. Go Go Sixteen had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Can run a cheeky race.
Race 5: Wide-open race here with plenty of in-form runners. Ching looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Talented type resuming, trialled well and should benefit from gate 1. Happy Together nice effort last start when storming home for a brilliant win. Maps a chance again from barrier 3. Superb Boy winner of last two starts and looks a top chance to handle the rise in class. Snaffles looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. A win is imminent. The Best Peach should be highly suited by the drop back in distance but gate 11 is the concern.
Race 6: Top Top Tea narrowly beaten last start and goes close here. Fitter now second-up and won’t have many excuses from barrier 2 under Purton. Ariel remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after going close in recent starts. Winning Data best run to date was last start and appears to be improving. Super Wise Dragon turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Divine Era last-start placing was full of merit, nice effort and has solid claims.
Race 7: Super Sunny Sing highly promising galloper who appears a great chance to win back-to-back after an impressive second-up performance last start. Barrier 10 isn’t ideal but there should be decent pace on and his turn-of-foot holds him in good stead to be hard to hold out. Encountered was not disgraced last start when beaten by a very smart horse in Californiaspangle. Money Catcher always finishes close up and must be rated a chance at this level. Straight Arron has a good record over this race distance and should be ready to fire. Running Glory resuming from a break and won a recent trial.
Race 8: River Views can lead in this race and be hard to run down. Without much speed on paper, he should an easy time under Teetan. Rail out widest in C+3 position also should suit. Pins Prince has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Every chance from barrier 1 under Purton. Always Fluke form is good and must be rated a solid chance again. Beato recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. He should win in the grade soon. Young Horizon every chance last start but still ran a good race. Wider barrier here is the concern.
Race 9: Beauty Crescent has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Not the strongest of races and he brings the strongest form to the table. Lady’s Choice rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Barrier 10 could prove awkward however. Greenwich form is good and is getting close to another victory. He can give a sight from his low draw. Global Harmony remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here. Armour Eagle video replay showed last run was very good. Trialled well in between runs and third-up here.
Race 10: Yellowfin racing in career-best form, winning his last two races impressively, and must be rated a good chance again. Maps well from gate 4 and looked well when note tested in a recent trial. Green N White rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Blue Marlin winner of last two starts and looks a top chance but barrier 13 could prove difficult. Drombeg Banner a fast beginner who can run well if he finds an easy lead from barrier 10. Flamingo Trillion last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Needed the first-up run, fitter now second-up.