Speedster Kung Fu strikes ideal event to run rivals ragged
Speedy Kung Fu put the writing on the wall with an excellent effort last start and he strikes the ideal race to land his first win for a year in the final leg of tomorrow night's Triple Trio at Happy Valley.
With the TT only being partially won last week, the main prize is expected to reach HK$5 million, and Kung Fu looks a standout banker, given he should have little trouble in controlling the race from the front.
The Derek Cruz-trained gelding opened the season with two excellent placings behind Brilliant Chapter, before struggling at his next appearance after being involved in an early speed duel.
He was forced to work too hard from a wide alley at his next outing and weakened to finish at the tail of the field, before turning in a sound effort on February 11 behind Charmgold after setting a fast speed.
He then failed to handle the all-weather track next time out, didn't run out 1,400m after blowing the start 18 days later, before turning in an outstanding effort to finish second to Confucius Classic after doing a power of work in the run.
With no other renowned leader engaged tomorrow night, Terry Wong Chi-wai should find the front with a minimum of fuss and the six-year-old looks an excellent chance to run his rivals ragged.
His main danger, and an appealing double banker, is Packing Supreme, despite proving costly in recent appearances.
The John Moore-trained gelding placed at his first two outings, before failing to overcome an awkward barrier behind Natural Flame when making his Happy Valley debut.
The three-year-old didn't cope with a rise to 1,400m last start, but with a drop in distance and a favourable barrier, he gets his chance to show his real talent.
Others capable of getting into the act are Mascot Fortune, Value Choice, National Glory and Super Charge.
The opening leg looks tricky, but the safest banker option looks to be Asian Citrus, who finally rewarded his patient connections with his first win at his 27th attempt last start.
The David Ferraris-trained gelding only rises six pounds for the success, and is not going to find this event a great deal tougher. Whether he can land back-to-back wins remains to be seen, but only bad luck should stop him from figuring in the placings.
The potential improvers are Wing Master, with the addition of blinkers and an inside alley, and Lucky Boy, who looked a transformed horse when turning a barrier trial into a one-act affair on April 21.
Sou Ma Tam should run his usual honest race and old-stager Amo only needs a touch of luck to prove competitive, given he is so well placed on his best form.
In the middle pin, Tremendous Plus looks the safest way to go, given the five-year-old has really come solid this season.
The gelding was unsuited by a moderate tempo two starts back, but ran on well to narrowly return to his best last time when switching to Happy Valley for only the third time.
With the event likely to be run at a decent tempo in the early stages, in-form jockey Brett Prebble will get to bide his time, before again presenting him at the right time in the straight.
Lucky Tycoon has been racing well, should get the run of the race, and figure in the finish again, while other live chances are Amazing Fortune, Happy Master, Fortune Warrior and New Idea.
Cash delight
Tomorrow night's Triple Trio at the city course is expected to reach: $5m
