The battle for the jockeys' title has been the talk of the town in HK but the scrap for the trainers' title is also alive and kicking after Tony Cruz made a significant dent in Ricky Yiu's lead this week.
Joao Moreira is back from suspension and bidding to eat into Zac Purton's lead of three at Sha Tin Sunday on an 11-race card with the G3 Lion Rock Trophy as highlight.
Purton remains in prime form
Hardly the most original statement given that he's averaging better than two winners a meeting but the way that the Aussie helped former Fanshawe galloper Enfolding defy the dreaded stall 14 to complete his treble in Wednesday's nightcap was highly impressive. Purton has outscored Moreira 20-14 so far in May. But he hasn't managed to snare a ride in Sunday's Lion Rock Trophy at 9.40.
Beauty or beast?
Moreira has sourced a ride for the feature event - and it's a good one - but anyone backing Beauty Legacy has to be aware that the Aussie G2 winner is still troubled by what his trainer John Size has memorably referred to as "management issues." Traffic problems provided an added problem for Beauty Legacy over 1400m on his latest start but the return to 1600m looks a plus and Size reports that "he is getting slightly better every day."
Fownes two handed as Legend returns
Caspar Fownes saddles two dangers to Beauty Legacy – namely Southern Legend and Dances With Dragon – but is mindful that HK’s big handicaps are never easy to win. Southern Legend gives weight all round after shading Beauty Generation in a duel for the G1 Champions Mile, while Dances With Dragon has won three of four for Fownes and returns to Sha Tin after thriving at Happy Valley. “You wouldn’t know Southern Legend is getting on and he’s in top form and Dances With Dragon has come a long way in a short time,” said Fownes. Both points are hard to argue with but this looks wide open and Preciousship is another name to note having not had the rub of the green on his last two starts.
Big two should be so Lucky
'Are you feeling Lucky?' is the question for Purton and Moreira when they line up on prime contenders for Sunday's finale at 10.50. Purton partners Lucky More, a smooth-travelling youngster who has won three from six, while Moreira's partner Lucky Express showed abundant promise in Australia and has really caught the eye in recent trials. Both have plenty to recommend them but don't rule out Stronger, fresh from a solid effort in a strong race over 1000m with the added advantage of Jerry Chau's valuable 10lb claim for the first time.
Treble puts Cruz back in the title chase
You wait well over a year for a dirt winner and then three come along all at once. That was the scenario for Tony Cruz at Sha Tin on Wednesday as Beauty Loyal, Party Everyday and California Concord all saluted under Karis Teetan and the dual champion is now just six winners behind leader Ricky Yiu as he chases a third title with plenty of promising horses still to run.
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