Silvestre De Sousa continues to make waves with treble and ban in Hong Kong
We round up all the latest happenings from the thriving Hong Kong racing scene, including Silvestre de Sousa's "striking" return and some grand plans for Elusive State.
Saturday’s action at Sha Tin threw up a possible Dubai Carnival contender, while Silvestre de Sousa collected a treble and a ban as his eventful winter stint continues.
Dubai dream still alive for Millard
Picture an exposed Class 4 handicapper graduating from the AW circuit to take his place against global stars on Dubai World Cup night.
It takes a pretty vivid imagination, right enough, but Elusive State could yet be Meydan bound after making it four from four for Tony Millard at Sha Tin On Saturday.
The five-year-old is absolutely thriving under Millard’s skillful care and showed marked further improvement to land a hot Class 2 handicap under Silvestre de Sousa.
Millard admitted he was “dreaming big” by entering Elusive State for the Godolphin Mile and the Dubai World Cup and knows he is unlikely to get a run at Meydan unless he can continue his march up the ratings with another win.
De Sousa is equally realistic but, Dubai or not, Elusive State did extremely well to score on Saturday, winning decisively despite being forced to race wide with little cover from a high draw.
Millard’s snap reaction was “he wins by twenty yards” with a smoother run. Meanwhile, the clock reveals that Elusive State ran faster through the third and final sectionals than any other rival for the second race in a row.
That is a notable achievement on dirt - and suggests strongly that Elusive State is still on the up - but a 13lb rise for Saturday’s win represents a two edged sword.
On the one hand, it makes continuing the winning spree that much harder.
But on the other, if Elusive State can defy the HK handicapper from such a lofty mark then Millard’s dream of Dubai might just become a whole lot more realistic.
Treble keeps Silvestre smiling despite a ban
De Sousa’s impact on Hong Kong racing since his return in early November has been striking and Elusive State’s success gave him a treble on the day to take his tally to 22 winners worth over £4m in prize money.
A two-day careless riding ban took a little of the shine off, though it also provides the chance for a trip home at the end of the month and some family debate on the topic of whether the Brazilian will extend his stay once his four-month contract ends in late February.
The arrival of a third child in March suggests a return to the UK to chase a fourth title remains strong favourite, but de Sousa’s stock has never been higher and he looks long odds on to be heading back to Hong Kong for the a few hit-and-run assignments in the springtime.
Choice on the Right track after impressive Sha Tin success
It isn’t often that de Sousa gives a young horse a glowing review but he seems very confident that the second leg of his Saturday treble is a horse with a very rosy future.
Right Choice is the beast in question and the way that Frankie Lor’s Mastercraftsman gelding made it two out of three over 1400m was impressive.
The visual impression was backed up by the clock as Right Choice clocked a rapid 22.03s final 400m split – much the fastest of the day – to win fairly narrowly but with real authority.
A 7lb rise to a mark of 68 still leaves him comfortably in Class 3 and de Sousa seems confident that there will be even better to follow once the youngster is given the chance to step up to a mile for the first time.
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