By David Morgan
Jing Jing Win slammed Class 4 rivals by four lengths on debut last month and looks more than ready to show Class 3 rivals a clean pair of heels judged on a smart barrier trial this morning (Friday, 14 October) at Sha Tin. That was one of three heats on the all-weather track that flagged the well-being of a clutch of Hong Kong’s more exciting emergent talents, including Champion Miler Sun Jewellery.
With Zac Purton winging to Australia for the Caulfield Cup meeting, Opie Bosson was the man aboard Jing Jing Win as David Hall’s charge hogged the spotlight throughout the 1050m trial. The Starcraft four-year-old settled to the outer just behind the pace, swung wide into the stretch, and appeared to be brimming within as he strode to the fore under a hold in a time of 1m 1.07s.
“He was only in second gear, I didn't test him whatsoever. He can gallop!” Bosson said. “He wasn’t keen but he’s so natural that if I’d given him a click he’d have put a few lengths on them.
“He was as good as gold in the barriers and then jumped just half a beat slow. I got some cover, let him sit and came out for clear running. I’d love to just give him a kick and see him let go!
“It seems like I haven’t ridden a horse like that for a long time,” added the two-time New Zealand Champion Jockey, who a year ago won the G1 Caulfield Cup on Mongolian Khan but is without a win so far this season. “I was only seat-warming today but it gives you a bit of confidence, riding a horse like that.”
The equally exciting Mr Stunning, prepping for his first start since April, ran home a marginally less conspicuous second. John Size’s Champion Griffin travelled easily just off the pace along the inside rail. Jockey Karis Teetan kept a consistent hold on the reins and allowed the Exceed And Excel four-year-old to maintain close tabs on Jing Jing Win without pressure.
Most eyes were fixed on two Size stablemates in the morning’s first batch as Thewizardofoz stepped out over 1200m under Joao Moreira alongside Sun Jewellery, who had regular trial partner Keith Yeung in the saddle. Neither has raced yet this term.
The former advanced gradually to sit on the speed exiting the back stretch, flanking the pace-setting Extremely Fun. Turning in, Thewizardofoz went on, Moreira keeping his hands low on a tight rein as the Redoute’s Choice gelding passed the post a length and a half to the fore in a time of 1m 09.38s.
“He trialled well, well enough to say he’s at the right place for now,” Moreira said. “I don’t think he’s anything close to his best but I’m very happy with where he is at. He has progressed so much since the first trial, I thought the first trial was just okay, it wasn’t very impressive but today’s trial was pretty good – good, but still not 100% which I’m happy about, because you wouldn’t want to have the horse at his best yet. He’s about 70 percent but he has plenty there to improve on, this barrier trial will definitely bring him up a little bit more.
“It’s going to be very interesting to see how he goes against some very good horses,” he added. “He’s a very good horse - I have a lot of faith in him. I know he hasn’t proven to be one of the best yet but I’m really not going to be surprised if he turns out to be one of the best in a year’s time.”
Yeung, meanwhile, settled Sun Jewellery mid-pack, edged out with about 300m remaining and kept a hold as the chestnut strode to the wire ears-pricked, a picture of controlled strength, to take third. The gelding won two of last season’s Four-Year-Old Classic Series features at Sha Tin and will this term attempt to prove his merit in open G1 company.
Splitting the pair was the Danny Shum-trained Lucky Year under Derek Leung. The five-year-old won the Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup on the first day of the season to put himself on the cusp of a first Group race attempt and trialled nicely today.
Eastern Express, another smart Size trainee warming up for his first start this season, went well in batch two over 1200m. Buried in midfield under Moreira, the four-year-old was surrounded on all sides at the top of the stretch until the Brazilian shifted his mount inwards for a run. Eastern Express kept on nicely to nose ahead at the line and was well on top as the field took the turn after the winning post. The gelding’s time was 1m 11.36s.
“Eastern Express was feeling very good, he was unlucky that he had a horse in front of him in the trial, it dragged him back turning for home and he’s done a good job to make it back and still find his way through to win,” Moreira said.
“He’s another one racing next week and I’m very excited about him. He’s a horse that is going to win a cup race. What level? I’m confident about Group 3, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up winning a Group 2 or a Group 1.”
The Peter Ho-trained four-year-old Baba Mama, winner of his last three, showed up for a half-length fourth under Leung.
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Photo 1:
Jing Jing Win made a winning debut earlier this season.
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