A brilliant first-up win for the season makes Born In Chinathe horse to beat again rising in grade tonight (Oct 7) in the Ireland Trophy (1,200m) at Happy Valley.
The Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained four-year-old had a good reputation when he arrived last season as a winner of the prestigious Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he wasn't seen at his best despite some good barrier trials.
Lui gave Born In China (Douglas Whyte) a gelding operation and a break after two disappointing runs mid-season and his third and final run of the season indicated he was on his way.
That was a third to Peace N Prosperity in a similar Class Three over the Valley 1,200m but whatever indications were there that Born In China was back on track, they were nothing compared with his win on September 23.
That was a comprehensive display, camping on the speed in Class Three then running away in fast times to score and leaving no doubt that he is ready for the rise into Class Two this evening.
www.racing.scmp.com
The handicapper hoisted Born In China 10 points but that won't stop him and, on the plus side, he drops from a handicap weight of 133 pounds to 125 pounds and has an edge in fitness against many of tonight's rivals. A repeat display will see him very tough to beat.
John Size-trained Country Melody (Vincent Ho Chak-yiu) hasn't been to Happy Valley before and his only 1,200m run in 11 starts was a disappointment, so he has a couple of hurdles to negotiate.
In the plus column though, his racing style over 1,000m has long suggested he should run out 1,200m and he is another who has had a recent run, when he should have finished a touch closer behind Strathmore on opening day at Sha Tin.
The Happy Valley experience is something we can't know but Size tends to be astute in those sorts of programming decisions and must have some confidence that the tight course won't be an issue.