The clock is ticking with just four meetings left this season but John Moore is still chasing John Size hard as the battle for the trainers’ championship continues.
In truth, John Moore needs to saddle four more winners than his great rival over the four remaining meetings as John Size will retain his title on account of having trained more seconds if the pair end the season level.
However, the Moore team remain in fine form and a treble on Monday at Sha Tin was highlighted by a thrilling success for Aethero, who took his unbeaten run to three on his first venture into open handicap company.
Aethero is clearly a very unusual young horse in various ways. It is very rare to see a two-year-old with such physical presence – he already weighs in at 1227lb – and he dominated his rivals from start to finish, breaking the Class 3 track record to come home with plenty in hand under Zac Purton.
John has only managed to win the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint once in his long training career, with the unconsidered 66-1 shot Inspiration back in 2008, so it’s interesting to note that he is already plotting a course towards our December showpiece with Aethero.
The step up from Class 3 to Class 2 and beyond in Hong Kong can be a very tough one, as we saw with both Big Party and Thanks Forever on Monday’s card, but Aethero is clearly a very exciting youngster and it will be fascinating to see how he develops over the summer and into next season.
Closer to hand, the race for the trainers’ title continues on an interesting card at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
The Size team have six runners with several live chances, while the Moore barn has a relatively quiet night with just four representatives.
In theory, this could be the night when John Size takes back control, but we are dealing with very fine margins at this late stage in the season.
John Size will equal the Hong Kong record for number of premierships if he can land the title for the 11th time since 2002.
Meanwhile, John Moore will be well aware that the current record holder is his late father George – and that adds another intriguing angle to a duel between two of the greatest trainers in Hong Kong racing history.
Wednesday’s Class 2 Hoi Ha Handicap over 1650m will be truly run, with Perfect Match and Circuit Glory showing their usual speed. Happy Dragon is likely to use his tactical pace and good draw to take up the box seat and Turin Redstar will be in his customary spot, close to the pace.
Zac Purton has a decision to make on Fat Turtle, who steps up in trip for the first time in his brief Hong Kong career and has drawn a wide gate. He showed good speed winning a trial two weeks ago to indicate he is likely to try and secure a position near the leaders.
Not Usual Talent encountered a difficult trip in his only appearance at Happy Valley one month ago but was impressive winning his last start at Sha Tin. He will go back from his wide draw but should benefit from the pace and is a win and place chance. He comes into the race in good form and did perform well on a rain affected track earlier this season.
Rivet is an interesting runner as he comes off a pair of disappointing efforts at Sha Tin and now returns to Happy Valley where he was narrowly beaten in these same race conditions in April. He will be midfield in the run and should get a good trip.
He is a place chance along with Green Luck and Fat Turtle. Green Luck is in top form and is proven over the course and distance. Fat Turtle is very consistent and his overseas form includes a win in his only try over a mile at Randwick as well as good form on rain affected tracks.
Comment
