Trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai applied some quick thinking at entry time and one of his own axioms about the start of the racing season to come away with a three-timer - the horse with a run under the belt has the edge. Yiu produced Ambitious Treasure (Alex La Hoi-wing) and Matsukaze (Jacky Tong Chi- kit) to win the third and fourth events, then followed up in the main sprint with Ultra Fantasy (James Winks). The three had one thing in common."At the start of every season, the horse which has h
Trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai applied some quick thinking at entry time and one of his own axioms about the start of the racing season to come away with a three-timer - the horse with a run under the belt has the edge.
Yiu produced Ambitious Treasure (Alex La Hoi-wing) and Matsukaze (Jacky Tong Chi- kit) to win the third and fourth events, then followed up in the main sprint with Ultra Fantasy (James Winks). The three had one thing in common.
"At the start of every season, the horse which has had a race has the advantage," said Yiu.
"The other favourites in the race that Ambitious Treasure won were all first-up and in Ultra Fantasy's race, he was the only runner in the field to have a race this season."
In fact, that fitness edge convinced Yiu to nominate Ultra Fantasy when entries were extended for the Cheung Shan Handicap.
"I had no plan to run but when I saw the field and they called for more entries, I thought, why not, if he's fit?" said the trainer.
"I haven't had the horse for many runs but his last run last season was quite good, finishing well behind Deferential, who was favourite today. He's been going quite well and I told the owner he had a place chance first time out at Happy Valley, even though he was 80-1. He ran second and I thought he had progressed from that to today."
Winks said he was always confident in running after finding the box-seat run and noted Ultra Fantasy's work and appearance had improved lately.
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