Michael Cox
Is there a more exciting course in world racing than the high speed contests that start from Happy Valley's 1000 meters starting barriers?
Jumping from in front of the Hong Kong Football Club, the start for the 1000 meters features a dragstrip-like run to the turn that makes early speed a necessity for horses wishing to take a forward position.
The early stages will be typically frenetic in tonight's Jackson Handicap, a Class 2 containing a small but quality field that boasts some in-form runners with upside.
The barrier draw obviously plays an important part in races over 1000 meters and gate one will help Bottomuptogether break through for the first time this season.
Bottomuptogether has never raced or trialed at the Valley but brings strong formlines through his seven starts at Sha Tin.
After three wins from as many starts as a three-year-old late last season, Bottomuptogether resumed with a second in Class 3 to Rubylot over 1200 meters. Last weekend Rubylot moved to a rating of 93 with a convincing Class 2 win and will start as one of the favorites in the Hong Kong Classic Mile later this month.
Next was a Class 2 sprint where Bottomuptogether was hard-ridden from a wide draw to lead, only to be nabbed late by Wunderbar, who had drawn gate one and did less work in the run.
Trainer Frankie Lor Fu-chuen then tested Bottomuptogether over 1400 meters in the Panasonic Cup, perhaps with a view to a possible start in the Classic Mile.
Bottomuptogether finished sixth as 3.6 favorite but was less than a length behind the runner-up and subsequent winner Packing Hermod, another horse that will be vying for favoritism in the Classic Mile.
That run made it clear that pure sprinting would be the immediate focus for Lor with Bottomuptogether and he was third in a strong Class 2 over 1200 meters at Sha Tin on December 22.
Again Bottomuptogether worked hard to lead, this time from barrier one, and carved out strong sectionals in front. Raging Blizzard burst through late to win after being able to conserve energy in the run and he has won again since in similar fashion to now be rated 104.
That form suggests Bottomuptogether, now rated 85, is headed to a higher number and the sprinter should appreciate the high-pressure nature of tonight's race.
Leading jockey Zac Purton gets back aboard Bottomuptogether as he continues to push toward Douglas Whyte's all-time Hong Kong wins record of 1,813. Purton starts tonight needing just six wins to pass Whyte.
michael.cox@singtaonewscorp.com
