Whyte expects his rabbit to catch fire

Douglas Whyte is optimistic Flaming Rabbit can return to form on Monday, drawing barrier No 1 in the HK$2.84 million Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap over 1400m at Sha Tin today.

The horse will be ridden by in-form jockey Luke Ferraris, fresh from a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night,

Whyte, a 13-time Hong Kong champion, galloped Flaming Rabbit on Sha Tin’s All Weather Track on Monday 24 June, clocking 55.1sec (29.9, 25.2) and believes the dual European G3 winner is primed to rebound.

“I sat on him this week and he’s going really good. I’ve brought him back to 1400m and freshened him up. There look to be a couple of light-weighted horses that might pester him, but he’s not one-dimensional and I think he’ll run very well,” Whyte said.

“He’s been a bit up and down this season but he’s a colt so it’s been a bit difficult for him to maintain his form but when he comes into form and produces what he can, he’s done well for himself.

“His last run was disappointing – there was a lot of pace – when he was running at Happy Valley for the first time and I’m very confident that he will give a good account of himself this time.”

Flaming Rabbit won over 1600m at Sha Tin on 31 March, defeating The Golden Scenery and Mugen, who subsequently downed California Spangle to win the G3 Premier Cup Handicap (1400m) at Sha Tin last Sunday (23 June).

David Hall hopes Atullibigeal can add further lustre to his stable’s strong season with victory in the race.

With 41 wins, Hall is only three victories short of matching his career-best haul of 44 wins in a Hong Kong season after a campaign crowned by Invincible Sage’s G1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1200m triumph in April.

Atullibigeal has delivered two of Hall’s wins this season in a 12-start campaign which has seen the five-year-old earn prize money in 11 appearances – and also suffer two short-head defeats.

“He (Atullibigeal) is a very honest and consistent horse and he’s had a good season. These sort of races, the ratings sort of favour the lighter-weighted horses so it might be a little bit tougher for him with the handicap but he’s very honest,” Hall said.

“He turns up all the time and if it’s a genuinely run race, he’ll be running on strongly.”

To be ridden by Hugh Bowman from barrier No 4, Atullibigeal faces eight rivals – Flaming Rabbit, Tomodachi Kokoroe, Wonder Kit, Supreme Lucky, Keefy, Superb Boy, Chiu Chow Spirit and Gorgeous Win.

Ka Ying Victory is aiming for a third consecutive win over Sha Tin’s straight sprint course when he tackles the Class 3 CMA 90th Anniversary Cup Handicap (1000m) before Hall looks to campaign the three-year-old over further ground next season.

“He’s probably a horse that wants further but he’s gone so well down the straight 1000m course, we probably don’t want to take him out of his comfort zone until the new season so he’s just going to have one more run and while it’s working, we’ll keep the same formula,” Hall said of the Charm Spirit gelding.

“Obviously, he’s going to carry a bit more weight but he’s relishing the track and distance, so we’ll give him another shot at it.”

Alexis Badel retains the mount on Ka Ying Victory, who has drawn barrier six and faces We Are Hero, Hasten Delight, Pleasant Endeavor, Alpha One, Flying High, Sovereign Fund, Brave Star, Phoenix Light, Motoman, Ace Victory and Super Fortune.

The Hong Kong Reunification Raceday continues the enthralling battle between Pierre Ng and Francis Lui for the 2023/24 Hong Kong trainers’ championship.

Both men have 65 wins, but Ng leads with more second placings – 54 to 48 – with only five meetings left in the season.

Ng will saddle 10 runners – Fortune Warrior, Medic Elite, Gangnam Star, Motoman, First Love, Super Bonus, Mr Aladdin, Fighting Machine, Roman Crown and Quantum Patch.

Lui will be represented by 12 starters – Loving Vibes, Noble One, General Ace, Hasten Delight, Brave Star, Harold Win, Wonder Kit, Superb Boy, Always Fluke, Divano, Euro Rocks and Second To None. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: Dragon Air Force newcomer who looks a winning chance in this race after trialling well on numerous occasions. From barrier 10 for the straight course, he should begin fast and find a winning position. Amazing Fun well prepared for debut and is worth considering. He too has trialled up well several times and Purton rides here. Metro Warrior has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Loving Vibes has trialled well for debut and should be rated a chance. Super Axiom should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. He can give a sight.

Race 2 Speedstar every chance last start but still ran a good race. Barrier 1 ensures he receives every chance to bounce back for a win here. Jazz Club had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Purton takes the ride now and that should ensure he receives every winning chance. Hearty Wish good performance when storming home for third place last start. Perfect Peach should be highly suited by the drop back in distance. Harmony N Home had excuses last start when racing wide without cover but can improve on that.

Race 3: Asian One last start winner who remains in the same grade and looks to receive enough favours from the low draw to win again. He has trialled well since and remains in good order. Precision Goal had excuses last start when pulling up with blood in the trachea and consider again. Aromatica last run suggested a win was very nearby. Right Honourable had genuine excuses last start when badly held up at a crucial stage in the race. Chilli Baba down in class in this race and should perform better. Start to follow.

Race 4: Ka Ying Victory winner of last two starts and is a big chance to pick up the winning hat-trick as he vies to remain unbeaten from four starts at the course and distance. Motoman former Australian galloper making local debut and he has trialled up well ahead of his first start. He can run a race. We Are Hero turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly and seems to be back in form. Flying High good performance when storming home for third place last start. Pleasant Endeavor has finished close up recently and can run well..

Race 5: Lucky Impact has trialled well for debut and should be rated a big winning chance first-up with Lor and Bowman combining. Harold Win having third start and may improve here as he has been okay in two runs. From barrier 1, he should map ideally for Atzeni and Lui. Champion Method caught wide last start and still ran well and can always run well from an on-pace position. First Love well prepared for debut and is worth considering. Parterre has ability and is always dangerous in this grade. Barrier 10 isn’t ideal but he can run a race.

Race 6: Small field and each runner is a decent chance of winning this. Wonder Kit ultra-consistent galloper and who will get his chance to break through for an overdue win. Superb Boy showed good speed to lead last start and gave a good sight and a well-timed ride here could see him win. Gorgeous Win nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a chance. The 1400m may suit this three-year-old now. Atullibigeal will find this easier than last start and can run well. Flaming Rabbit has a better chance on this track and should run well.

Race 7: Flying Luck caught the eye last start running home powerfully on debut down the 1000m straight. The rise in trip suits and he appears to have good ability. Nebraskan second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve. Barrier No 1 will ensure that he receives every chance under Purton. Super Bonus well supported last start and won accordingly. Wider draw here but remains in good order. Taihang Scenery having third start and may improve here with Bowman in the plate. Affirm looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form.

Race 8: Forerunner is back in good form and must be considered a winning chance from his low gate. Bowman sticks with him and he seems poised to win. Grand Boss form is good and is getting close to a win. Solid Win holding form with recent good trial and looks well. Second start here after a quiet run on debut and can only improve here. My Flying Angel second start in this grade after dropping in class and could improve. Fight Time recent runs have been encouraging and can run well. A nice draw here can see him run an improved race.

Race 9: Super Infinity looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form. He needs to jump cleanly here but the rise in distance suits and Bowman taking over from Purton isn’t a big deal. Fighting Machine has a better chance on this track and should run well after putting the writing on the wall at Happy Valley last time. Happydearhappydeer turned in a nice effort last run when finishing strongly. Call Me Supreme was eased early before catching the eye late. No luck with the barrier draws but can surprise at odds. Golden Bull fresh up from a break and should run well.

Race 10: Bottomuptogether highly promising galloper who appears a great chance to win for a third straight time as he rises in class and distance for the first time. Barrier 1 will ensure he maps kindly and receives all hope. Divano rising in class and meets better quality horses but can measure up. Solid Impact looks a chance if you go on previous consistent form. Prawns Eleven looks a solid good chance based on last start. Gor Mo Tuen having first start and watch for betting support. Trials have been okay and he may run a race.

Race 11: Sunstrider fresh up from a break and should run well after he had excuses last start pulling up with blood in the trachea as the favourite. Trialled well for his return and he looks a decent bet if he’s overlooked in the market. Second To None ultra-consistent galloper and who can play a part in the finish again. Pray For Mir having second start and can improve with experience after a pass mark on debut. The Heir remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here. Quantum Patch has finished close up recently and can run well having trialled well in between runs