Bidding for his first victory as a trainer in the Grade 3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap over 1800m at Sha Tin on Sunday, Douglas Whyte is optimistic stablemates Savvy Nine and Turin Redsun can strongly contend in the HK$3.9 million feature.
Now into his fourth season as a trainer, 13-time Hong Kong Champion Jockey Whyte partnered Made To Figure to Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse success in 1999 for David Oughton and is hopeful G1 placegetter Savvy Nine can snare a second Hong Kong win after accumulating 12 minor placings – including a last-start third behind California Spangle in the G2 Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy Handicap (1600m) and a second to Russian Emperor in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) last season.
“He ran a cracker last time, he probably could have run second, the jockey (Ruan Maia) dropped his whip at a crucial stage,” Whyte said. “I think he remains in good form. I sat on him on Tuesday morning (1 November) for his final turf gallop and he felt terrific. He’s moving well, so he goes into the race in really good form.”
Savvy Nine starts from barrier No 2 for Matthew Chadwick and will face several of the horses he finished ahead of in the Oriental Watch Sha Tin Trophy, notably Ka Ying Star (fourth), Excellent Proposal (fifth), Senor Toba (sixth), Butterfield (seventh), Turin Redsun (eighth) and Beauty Joy (10th).
Whyte believes Turin Redsun, who jumps from gate No 4 for Lyle Hewitson, can improve on his last-start performance.
“He probably ran a little bit below par last time, he had a few excuses I thought. He didn’t get away well and he was a bit further back than we thought. He got slightly held up but I did like the way he got to the line,” Whyte said.
“His form reads well over the 1800 (two seconds from two attempts), he’s had a run under his belt now and with these conditions right now – the rain is certainly is going to benefit his chances and he’s got a nice galloping weight.”
Whyte expects a highly tactical race on Sunday with a field of 10.
“I’ve always said the smaller the field, the bigger the upset. It looks easy on paper but if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail. It’s just as simple as that. It’s probably going to be a bit of a tactical race and a lot is going to boil down to speed and those sorts of things but I can just say both my horses are in good form,” he said. - Hong Kong Jockey Club
Race-by-Race Previews
Race 1: Smart Leader is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time and should be hard to beat back in Class 5 under Purton. Moon Peaks can upset some more fancied rivals on best form and has drawn well low to get a good run. Zacian could sneak a place in a race like this, keep safe. Telecom Missile has ability and is always dangerous in this grade, start to follow again. Beauty Nova down in class in this race and should perform better.
Race 2: Noble One good performance when storming home for a nice second last start and he has drawn well low to map a chance. Brave Dreams generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home, perhaps he can settle handier to the lead speed from gate 1. War Weapon second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve. Smiling Collector showed improvement at a recent trial and can give a sight from barrier 2.
Race 3: Allgreektome has trialled well for debut for the David Hayes yard and should be rated a chance. Baby Crystal another newcomer who looks talented and must be rated a good chance to be competitive first-up. Glenealy Generals badly checked last start and then weakened, forget the run and give another chance. Valhalla resuming from a break and trialled well recently, he can run a race. Flying High go on solid previous efforts where form looked okay.
Race 4: A wide-open race here with many chances. Vukan change of trainer recently and can improve, he has drawn well low to be a winning chance if good enough. Singapore Spirit caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds but has trialled well since to suggest it was no fluke. Ching recent trials have been quite good and looks a chance first-up. All Is Good showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight, he can do the same here but needs luck from out wide. My Intelligent looks a solid good chance based on last start.
Race 5: A Pal last run suggested a win was very near and he strikes a race where he can go one place better. Hardest to beat. Red Titan ran the third fastest sectional time last start for a much better run into fourth than it reads. Horsesain Bolt looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form, he can improve big-time from a low draw. Private Rocket clearly has a better chance over this distance and expect a better run. Kilindini caught the eye last start when running home well, but he may be dictated to by a wide draw again.
Race 6: Turquoise Alpha comes into his lowest draw he has had in a while, which can prove a big difference to his winning chances, if they make use of it. President’s Choice consistent performer of late and worth considering in an open race. Let’s Do It had genuine excuses last start when caught wide but he’ll need some early luck from barrier 12. Kasi Farasi had excuses last start when racing wide without cover, consider again. Accelerando caused a surprise last start when winning at big odds, but he might be able to repeat the dose.
Race 7: Beauty Joy simply had no luck last start and overlook the run. He can improve big-time second-up with Purton back in the saddle. Senor Toba turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and he should be improving second-up and up in trip. Turin Redsun can improve second-up from a break and he will also relish the rise in distance. Money Catcher remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here after going close on numerous occasions. Excellent Proposal caught the eye last start when running home well and can figure on best form.
Race 8: Erimo was an easy last start winner and must be respected to be able to repeat the dose as he has drawn barrier 1 again. He gets the run of the race from there and should be hard to hold out. Amazing Victory racing in career-best form, winning his last two races well, and must be rated a good chance to score a hat-trick. Kasa Papa had excuses last start and forget the run. Prince Alex gelded after the last run and look for improvement here after running two good fifths so far.
Race 9: Beauty Eternal impressive debut winner who is hard to beat here after trialling well in between runs and rising to Class 3 on a light weight. He looks good enough to win a few wins on end. Super Fortune should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, he will give a big sight. Good Buddy had genuine excuses last start and consider again. Science Patch consistent performer of late and worth considering. Smart Idea video replay showed last run was very good and he might represent good each-way value.
Race 10: Galaxy Witness looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He is third-up now and won’t have many excuses. Keefy ran out of condition last start when first-up and will be fitter now. Drawn well low to be a chance in the run. Beautyverse overseas form reads strong and should be considered first-up, but the wide barrier is the concern. C P Brave ran the fourth fastest sectional time last start first-up and can improve nicely second-up from a low draw up in trip. Captain Win had genuine excuses last start when caught wide.