Speed Racer in pole position for win
An estimated HK$25 million Triple Trio pool is expected at Sha Tin on Sunday, and the Michael Chang Chun-wai-trained Speed Racer can do his bit for punters as a banker in the central leg of the exotic.
Speed Racer looks a good banker play in the Po Loi Handicap (1,600m) and, with 119 pounds and Jeff Lloyd on his back, the fast-finishing grey can continue his good season which already boasts two wins.
The Mull Of Kintyre gelding punched his way out of Class Five with back-to-back wins over this course, before being unlucky at his latest start when blocked for a clear run in the straight in the race won by New Vision.
Lloyd was unable to extricate Speed Racer from the pack that day and his five-year-old mount was left in a traffic jam at the critical moment but, with a more suitable wide draw this time, Lloyd should be able to choose exactly where and when he presses the accelerator.
The pair's big advantage lies with the drop in weight associated with the step in class and Speed Racer, who carried 132 pounds to his latest victory two starts back, now finds himself at the bottom of Class Four and capable of racking up a third win.
Speed Racer's versatility is also advantageous, and Lloyd has won on him from both on-speed and off-speed positions, giving the South African master a coupe of options, depending on how the horse jumps and the early pace of the event.
That early tempo does not look strong on paper but a couple of entrants are capable of pushing a decent tempo, and much will depend on the rider's tactics as to how the field settle.
Bold Tack and Matthew Chadwick might try to claim a forward position from barrier eight, while Gold Rush and Maxime Guyon may join them from the outside draw.
Jockeys of the favourably drawn Beautiful Choice, Industrial Hero and Chantilly will also be keen to use that advantage and should ensure whoever does eventually press to the lead won't be able to claim that spot cheaply.
The opening leg provides Sugar On Top with a good chance to chalk up his first win for the new stable after switching from Gary Ng Ting-keung's yard to Danny Shum Chap-shing two starts back.
Frenchman Guyon takes the reins again after the pair finished fifth to Shibala last start over this course from gate 13, and the rider will enjoy an easier task from gate six.
Sugar On Top got right back in the field that day but, from gate six, he should be able to sit slightly closer to the pace without much effort, and still finish strongly under his feather weight 116 pounds.
Lombardi makes obvious appeal as a danger with Brett Prebble on board for the first time for new trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai, and this perennial non-winner might find the extra bit of effort required once given his first taste of the Prebble persuader.
Country Magic warrants inclusion for trainer David Hall and jockey Neil Callan and showed good improvement wearing the blinkers for the first time at Happy Valley last start, despite running out of room in the last 20m behind Young Turbo.
Two longshots to consider both come from the Olympic stables, and improvement from either the Sean Woods-trained Bingo Bingo or Chang's Chateau De Caix would not surprise.
The final leg is no easier than the first two, and those lucky enough to have live tickets through the consolation legs will have a nervous wait to see if they can nail the final trio.
Despite carrying top weight, Winning Edge makes strong appeal as a banker play for trainer David Ferraris and jockey Weichong Marwing from gate six.
Winning Edge was held up entering the straight and rattled late to grab third behind Just Fantastic last start, an effort that bodes well for his chances in this event.
Cash treat
Sunday's Triple Trio pool is expected to reach a whopping: HK$25m
