30/6/2020
Righteous Doctrine aims to keep on rising in hot Sha Tin feature
By Declan Schuster
Michael Chang is hoping his stable¡¦s current highest-flyer Righteous Doctrine will continue his ascent up the ratings when he contests Wednesday¡¦s (July 1) Class 2 Hong Kong Reunification Cup Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin.
The French import has posted three wins among a series of five smart efforts in recent months, and the trainer is looking for a sign that the bay¡¦s progress might continue into next term.
¡§I think his rating can still go up, the horse has just continued to improve, and this race is a good test for him,¡¨ Chang said. ¡§That¡¦s why I asked Joao (Moreira) to ride him one more time, so I can see what we can do with him in the future.¡¨
The late-developing five-year-old bagged his first Hong Kong win at his 16th attempt and since then has gone from strength to strength.
¡§He¡¦s an improving horse, a very typical European horse; now he¡¦s getting more mature than last season and in his favour is that he can run well on both tracks,¡¨ Chang said.
Two of Righteous Doctrine¡¦s wins have come on the dirt at Sha Tin, with his other on the turf, and he is looking to build on that fast-finishing success at the course and distance last month.
Three-time champion jockey Moreira has tallied two wins with the gelding and the pair will break from gate six, allotted 123lb in a field of 11.
¡§I hope Joao (Moreira) can do something on him - I think he can be very competitive in this race,¡¨ Chang said.
¡§His trackwork is always good, he is sound, healthy and eating well. He¡¦s a keen horse so sometimes he over does himself and you need to control him a bit.¡¨
The Siyouni gelding arrived in Hong Kong as a three-time winner in France under the care of Stephane Wattel, and finished seventh to Olmedo on the G1 Poule d¡¦Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) at Longchamp.
Chang, 58, is the only Hong Kong trainer to saddle a winner in the United States ¡V a G1 at that, thanks to Rich Tapestry¡¦s Santa Anita Sprint Championship success in 2014, and believes Righteous Doctrine might at least make his name in Class 1, if not higher, when he goes over more ground.
¡§Maybe I will try to step him up to 2000 (metres) next season,¡¨ he said.
Wednesday¡¦s race includes a quintet of four-year-olds - Savvy Nine (133lb), Columbus County (128lb), Hello Daddy (117lb) and Champion Supreme (116lb) ¡V plus Butterfield (132lb), who, as a South American-bred gelding, officially turns five on 1 July.
Brazilian import Butterfield, like Righteous Doctrine, is aiming to win his second Class 2 1800m contest at Sha Tin this season.
Vincent Ho will partner the Danny Shum-trained gelding following their game on-pace defeat to Reliable Team at Happy Valley earlier this month. The pair will break from gate 11.
¡§He¡¦s a bit one paced but he has a high cruising speed, I think he¡¦s fit even from last start where he just got beat but his form is no problem,¡¨ Ho said. ¡§Hopefully he can handle it.¡¨
Reigning champion jockey Zac Purton had his jockeys¡¦ championship lead pegged back to six (137-131) on Saturday but will be looking to hit back this Wednesday with another full book of chances, including the Columbus County (128lb) in the feature.
¡§He¡¦s been honest enough, he¡¦s always been thereabouts; he hasn't been able to win a race but he¡¦s had the freshen up, he had a nice run back the other day and he should improve off that run,¡¨ Purton said. ¡§Hopefully, he¡¦s going to get his chance again.¡¨
The Caspar Fownes-trained galloper placed at G2 level in New Zealand pre-import and since then has tallied three runner-up efforts to his name in Hong Kong.
¡§I feel like his better runs have been at Sha Tin. But if he¡¦s come on from his last run I think he should be well-placed again,¡¨ Purton said.
Wednesday¡¦s 10-race afternoon programme at Sha Tin kicks off at 1pm with the Class 5 Racing Goes On Handicap (1200m).
Photo
Michael Chang has 19 wins this term.
