We are quite fortunate when we get the chance to see champion horses at their best, or even to identify young talent on the rise and moving into top company. But I believe most of you would agree that it would be a rare feat if a big streak was achieved by a veteran horse who had raced off a very low mark late into his career.
One could hardly compare Bamboo Dance with Able Friend, Ambitious Dragon or Entrapment, but this David Hall-trained eight-year-old notched his 6th consecutive win at Sha Tin last Saturday. Champion Jockey Joao Moreira rode the horse to an impressive and comfortable victory and he’s the rider who is responsible for the horse’s six wins in 2015.
It’s a great job for Hall to keep the horse in prime form for so long, and he has been ridden to perfection by Moreira during his streak. After its latest victory, Bamboo Dance is going to face bigger challenge when he is to compete in Class 3 race next time. But I believe not many of you would dare to rule out his chance given its terrific form, and I look forward to seeing if the magic run can continue.
The races will return to Happy Valley tonight, and it’s going to be our last race meeting before Christmas. Similar to last week we again prepared some Christmas-themed activities, food treats and attractions for racegoers to celebrate the festivity. I hope you will come joining us at the Valley this evening and I would like to add my wishes to all of you for a sweet holiday with your family and loved ones.
For the eight races on the card, the Mercury Handicap is run as the last race and is a Class 2 1200m for horses rated between 95 and 75. However, no horse with a rating of 80 or below has entered for that race. As a result it reduces the handicap range to 14 pounds.
The pace is expected to be good with You Read My Mind being a fast horse and should pounce straight on the lead. Go Baby Go has drawn widest but going forward to sit outside the leader is probably the best option available to him. Romantic Cash has been a model of consistency for his on-pace profile. He should once again get the box seat. All Great Friends, with apprentice Jack Wong on board, should roll forward to race close and handy, while Racing Hero would likely be caught wide. And Gregory Benoist on Eroico will face a real test to try getting his mount to cross over and find some cover early in the race.
Romantic Cash should be well positioned and is working very well lately. Despite his rating went up by 10 pounds after his last win, he’s still my favourite horse in this race. His main opponent is in my view Divine Boy who is working very well too. Although he has to come from off the pace, I believe this horse should be able to run home strongly. You Read My Mind should be well positioned and is a place chance for me. So did for Lucky Double Eight who is working well and coming back to his best distance. I like Eroico as looking at his form, but his draw is a real handicap and he is likely to be kept wide. Golden Deer and Berlini will both have to come from the back but they are in for a shout for a top-three finish too.
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