Michael Cox reviews the Sha Tin meeting on Sunday, January 4.
(Race 4: Tai Mong Tsai Handicap – Class 4, 1200m, All Weather Track)
Four barrier trials had Supreme Sea ready to roll on debut and, while trainer Mark Newnham elected to start the three-year-old on the dirt, he believes the youngster will be just as effective once he gets to the turf.
Newnham said the strapping young sprinter will be allowed to develop physically rather than being rushed. The trainer added that Supreme Sea’s starts will need to improve if he is to win in stronger company.
“His starts were a bit hit and miss in his trials and that will need to get better,” Newnham said. “But he was the youngest horse in the field and that was a good starting point for him.”
(Race 10: Pak Tam Chung Handicap – Class 3, 1200m, Turf)
Frankie Lor Fu-chuen was rewarded for carefully managing Loyal Bright, keeping the gelding’s form intact and delivering the owners a HK$1.5 million bonus for a first Class 2 victory as a Private Purchase.
Loyal Bright arrived in Hong Kong with an unbeaten Australian record, having won three from three, but needed time to adjust. After being star-struck under the lights on debut at Happy Valley and then finishing third from a wide draw second-up, Lor found the right race for his import.
“He is actually a very easy horse to train, he is very quiet and I think will suit Hong Kong,” Lor said.
(Race 6: The Po Leung Kuk Cup – Class 4, 1400m, Turf)
Keith Yeung Ming-lun made it three consecutive Sha Tin meetings with a winner after producing a polished ride aboard Positive Smile in the Po Leung Kuk Cup.
Barrier three on the “C” course helped Yeung’s cause, but he also showed the necessary urgency to move wider on the turn and find clear running. Trainer David Hayes praised Yeung’s execution and his preparation with the horse.
“He had a beautiful draw but Keith rode a fantastic race,” Hayes said. “Keith rode him in work on Friday and came back and told me that was the best we could have him.”
