How will they handle it? D-Day for first-up dirt runners at Sha Tin

While an all-dirt card at Sha Tin might not be at the top of Hong Kong racing fans’ wishlist, Thursday night’s eight-race meeting still presents plenty of opportunities for jockeys, trainers, owners and punters alike to bring their season to life.

Those who have used the dirt to their advantage include Richard Kingscote, who capitalized on a strong book of rides last season to record a treble on the surface, and Frankie Lor Fu-chuen, who has had plenty of success on the all-weather in recent seasons.

One of the questions that often comes up on an all-dirt card is also: Will this horse handle the surface?

Tonight, there are a number of intriguing runners making their first start on the all-weather here and the program will show whether they dislike, handle or even thrive on the surface.

In the finale, Class 2 winner Karma tests his mettle on the surface, while trainer Pierre Ng Pang-chi sends a couple of intriguing runners for their first taste of dirt action.

In race three over 1,200 meters, an impressive trial winner makes his first appearance on the dirt in the form of the Ng-trained Watch This One, who powered to victory by six lengths in his latest hit out at Conghua.

The Australian-bred gelding, who was involved in a nasty incident at Happy Valley last season when he unseated Karis Teetan, won his only start in Australia on a synthetic surface in August last year.

“He trialled really well and he came from the Gold Coast where he won on the Polytrack, so I’m really looking forward to it,” Ng told The Standard.

“It took him a bit of time to settle in and unfortunately he was involved in that bad incident at Happy Valley, but now he’s back on track and he’s ready.”

In race five, the lightly-raced Glaciated represents Ng under Teetan, having ran on well for fifth over 1,200m on turf last time out at Sha Tin. After his fifth-place finish, the four-year-old showed plenty of promise in a recent barrier trial on the dirt, which he won with Teetan on board.

“He trialled really well on the dirt,” Ng said. “We planned to run him last Sunday but he didn’t get in, so we had to think of another plan and thought we’d have a crack at the dirt. He’s in good form after his last run so hopefully he can go close.”