Sha Tin on Sunday (May 15): Olivier to play key role

Olivier Doleuze will play a crucial role in determining the fortunes of Triple Trio punters at Sha Tin on Sunday and will partner last-start winner Viva Freedom, the lightly raced Super Horse and the last-start improver Hey Ha Master from good draws in the three legs of the estimated HK$4 million exotic. In the final leg, flamboyant Doleuze will be looking to make the most of barrier one with the Andreas Schutz-trained Viva Freedom, who was given a six-point penalty for his short-head win over S

Olivier Doleuze will play a crucial role in determining the fortunes of Triple Trio punters at Sha Tin on Sunday and will partner last-start winner Viva Freedom, the lightly raced Super Horse and the last-start improver Hey Ha Master from good draws in the three legs of the estimated HK$4 million exotic. In the final leg, flamboyant Doleuze will be looking to make the most of barrier one with the Andreas Schutz-trained Viva Freedom, who was given a six-point penalty for his short-head win over Supreme Winner last start over this course.

Doleuze gave the horse a dream trip midfield with cover from gate six and, from the inside stall, punters can expect Viva Freedom to hold a similar position again.

The High Chaparral gelding must carry topweight with 131 pounds, but the good draw should negate that increase and will help Viva Freedom to press into Class Three after this run.

The Michael Chang Chun-wai-trained Sunshine Kid has drawn alongside in barrier two and will take some beating with Greg Cheyne in the irons.

Cheyne has partnered the new arrival in both his runs, for a fourth on debut behind Lucky Follow Me and a third to Fortune General over 1,200 metres.

The step up in trip to 1,400m looks ideal for this son of Captain Rio and he should not be underestimated from a great draw.

Real General has been entered on the quick back-up from last Saturday where he sported blinkers for the first time at this distance, but an awkward alley will require Howard Cheng Yue-tin to use some early nous to get a good trailing position.

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