HK Group 3 – 1400m – Turf
Sunday 8 March 2015
Sha Tin
Hong Kong selections
All You Wish (C H Yip)
Four-time winner at course and distance, all during 2012/13 season when crowned Champion Griffin. Showed decent form this term when winning Class 1 Chevalier Cup (1600m) in November, followed by a short-head 2nd in HKG3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup at this distance on 1 January. Latest 6-1/4 lengths 9th to Able Friend in G1 Stewards’ Cup on 25 January. Deep closer. Acts on good to yielding.
Super Lifeline (A T Millard)
Won this race emphatically last year as a fast improving 4yo. Winless in his five starts this term, all at 1400m. Smart 0.75-length 2nd to Gold-Fun in HKG3 Celebration Cup in October. Good third last time in Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup on 21 Feb signaled his wellbeing. Often settles in handy position. Relishes a sound surface: untried on soft ground.
Kabayan (J Moore)
Two wins from 21 Hong Kong starts. Latest win first-up this term in September in a Class 1 1400m (6th Super Lifeline, 8th Winning Leader). Third in HKG3 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m) in November. Latest two starts at this distance: firstly 0.75 length 3rd in a Class 1 in January; secondly 2-length 5th in Chinese New Year Cup on 21 Feb. Usually settles midfield. No ground concerns.
Winning Leader (C H Yip)
Runner-up to Super Lifeline in this race last year and a neck 3rd in the Macau leg, the Macau Hong Kong Trophy. Failed to win in 10 starts this season but consistent with three second places at 1400m and 1800m in last four starts. 6th last time in Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup. Versatile runner. No ground concerns.
Wonderful Moments (J Size)
Lightly raced 5yo. All three HK wins came last season, including two at 1400m. Five starts this term and placed in his last two starts: Third to Pikachu in a Class 2 1400m on 7 February and a neck second in a Class 2 1650m at Happy Valley last Wednesday (25 Feb). Races handy. No ground concerns.
Gurus Dream (C H Yip)
Both HK wins at this course and distance. Running consistently well in seven starts this term from 1000m to 1600m but only in frame once. Solid fourth latest in Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup on 21 Feb. Races held-up. Untried on soft ground.
Arpinati (J Moore)
This Italian import has finished second four times and 4th twice in his six local starts. Best efforts when 4th to Beauty Only in HKG1 Hong Kong Classic Mile in January and 0.5-length 2nd to Luger in a Class 2 1600m on 15 February. Settles midfield. Prefers good ground.
Multivictory (A S Cruz)
Five-time winner from 23 starts. Two wins at course and distance. Defeated Arpinati last start in a Class 2 1400m on 28 Dec. Rating at an all-time high after that win. Best when able to lead or race handy. Has won of fast ground and with some cut.
Pikachu (D E Ferraris)
A flying season for this 4yo with three wins and two places from seven starts. All wins at this course and distance, most recently a Class 2 win on 7 February, with Wonderful Moments in 3rd. Usually races handy. Relishes sound surface.
Reserves
Great Spirit (P F Yiu)
Three wins, all at 1200m, from 26 HK starts. Unplaced in 3 starts at 1400m including 3.5 lengths 6th to Multivictory in a Class 2 on 28 December. 4th latest in Class 2 1200m at Happy Valley on 11 February. Races held up. No ground concern.
Rainbow Chic (C Fownes)
Talented runner whose three HK wins came at 1800m. First start at 1400m since 7th in last season’s HKG3 Chinese Club Challenge Cup. Decent 5th in G2 Jockey Club Mile in November. Stamina stretched when 11th in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) in December. Moderate 8th latest in 1800m HKG3 January Cup at Happy Valley on 7 January. Settles midfield. No ground concern.
Macau selections*
Wonder Mossman (K C Chong)
Currently rated 125 points, KC Chong trained Wonder Mossman, owned by Kwok Woon Hung Paul and Poon York Hung, is the highest rated horse in Macau. Despite losing in the Hong Kong Macau Trophy and Macau Hong Kong Trophy in 2014, Wonder Mossman won in its recent 5 starts, including Group 1 races Macau Gold Cup and Sand Champion Series – Leg 3, with significant margins. In Group 2 Spring Trophy, it even broke the course record time.
Carrying the top weight of 133 pounds and racing against the strong Hong Kong runners will pose a challenge.
Lucky and Wealthy (G Allendorf)
G Allendorf trained Lucky and Wealthy, rated 113 points, is owned by Cheung Pik Fong. The 2013 Macau Derby winner also won the Macau Gold Cup in the same year, thereby confirming its top class ability. Lucky and Wealthy is a very versatile horse and capable to run on various surfaces and distances.
Only raced thrice this season, having won once and came second in Spring Trophy 2015 to Wonder Mossman, Lucky and Wealthy has kept its form.
Master of Puppets (K C Wong)
Owned by Yip Yuk Kit, the KC Wong trained Master of Puppets is rated 103 points. It has been very consistent in its performance and well placed in Group races. After a long spell, Master of Puppets is returning to prove its class once again. The gelding won a 1500m race recently and came third in the Group 2 Spring Trophy 2015. As a front runner, it can handle different state of tracks.
Easy Money (S Chow)
Veteran Easy Money, trained by Steven Chow and owned by Cheng Yip Chiu is at its career high rating of 101 points. Though 7 years old, it is sparingly raced and has kept its form. Having proven itself at sprint races, the long home straight at Shatin could pose a big challenge for Easy Money.
King Creole (G Allendorf)
Another G Allendorf trained horse, King Creole, rated 97 points, is owned by Lam King Poy, Ernest Lam and Lam Jen Toa. At the end of last season, it scored back-to-back win. Had a 2 month spell after came in second in its first run of the season 2014/2015, King Creole took home the Winter Trophy 2015. Probably better suited over longer distance, the Shatin race course design will be to the liking of King Creole mid to rear running style.
*Comments on Macau selected runners are provided by the Macau Jockey Club.
