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Gap down to three as title chase hots up

Two months to go in the HK season and certain things seem clear.

Romantic Warrior’s four consecutive G1 successes look sure to propel him to the Horse of the Year title ahead of three-time winner Golden Sixty.

And Zac Purton’s continued excellence – and a lead of more than 30 atop the table – will help him secure a seventh jockeys’ championship.

But the trainers’ title looks more open with every week that passes.

Pierre Ng set a scorching pace and was 16 clear of the pack at the start of the year but his old boss Francis Lui has whittled the lead down to three and both homegrown handlers are well represented on a Sha Tin Sunday card featuring several key questions.

Pierre or Francis in the feature?

The former has Taj Dragon in the Class 1 at 6.45 and the latter is two handed with Wonder Kit and Packing Treadmill but it’s hard to discard any of the six in this £375,000 handicap.

Tactics could be important, with Healthy Happy unlikely to be pressured on the lead, but TAJ DRAGON looks to have more in his favour than most.

Formerly known as Taj Alriyadh when winning three of four for Karl Burke, this gelding has been running well against the best around of late and the booking of good 7lb claimer Ellis Wong for the first time should help him go close here.

Can Samurai strike from stall 14?

Front runners are often suited when the rail is out wide in the C plus 3 position and Derek Leung will be looking to offset his wide gate early in the 9.10 aboard the progressive VOYAGE SAMURAI.

Stunning Peach left Joseph O’Brien with a rating of 110 after finishing second in two G1s last year and there was no shortage of promise in his eighth on his debut for Tony Cruz three weeks ago.

Helene Warrior, a useful winner for Michael Bell when known as Red Zone Hero, is another to note after finishing fourth in that same Class 3.

But Voyage Samurai fared better than both Euro imports, chasing the hard-running Frantanck in a truly-run race on rain-softened ground only to be worn down late by the patiently ridden Karma.

Frankie Lor’s gelding recorded a career best while shaping as if there’s more to come. Cheekpieces go on now and a lack of fellow front runners will give him every chance of finding the lead and confirming that he’s a bit better than his 67 rating suggests.

Credit where it’s due?

The Class 3 dash at 10.15 features a clutch of bang-in-form sprinters headed by the rejuvenated Ima Single Man and the frustrating but consistent Lady’s Choice.

David Hayes supplies an interesting newcomer in the shape of Caulfield winner Mojave Desert but FULL CREDIT gets the vote after catching the eye making a solid start to his HK career.

Mark Newnham’s gelding made short work of Class 4 rivals over course and distance last month and confirmed that promise on his Class 3 debut recently, helping force a generous pace after heavy rain and keeping on willingly for third.

A 1lb rise looks fair given the way Full Credit travelled that day and, with further improvement on the cards, he ought to set them all a target under Lyle Hewitson.

Progressive Patch to have it covered?

Sunday’s finale at 10.50 is another valuable handicap featuring numerous interesting horses including last year’s German Guineas winner Young Achiever (formerly Angers), who went into plenty of notebooks with a strong-finishing debut fifth under Zac Purton.

The freewheeling Loyal Bo Bo will be well suited by stepping down in trip after failing to get home over a mile last time and Sunlight Power is another for the short list but the rematch between Sky Heart and Patch of Theta might hold the key here.

A sweet run on the inside helped Sky Heart make all four weeks ago but PATCH OF THETA was very unlucky in third, staying on strongly for Hugh Bowman despite being involved in a prolonged barging match. Smoother sailing here might just help that man Lui take another step towards a first title at the age of 65.

Sunday’s Sha Tin Selections

6.45: Taj Dragon

9.10: Voyage Samuri

10.15: Full Credit

10.50: Patch of Theta

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