from Racing Post (www.racing.scmp.com)The "Kings of the Valley" were back with a bang last night - with leading trainer Caspar Fownes and jockey Brett Prebble combining to win the feature race with Victory Mascot as part of their own personal trebles. Prebble and Victory Mascot swooped around the final bend and stamped their authority on the South China Athletic Association Centenary Cup, rolling favourite Vitality Express by 3/4 length, with a length away to Jolly Good who completed a
from Racing Post (www.racing.scmp.com)
The "Kings of the Valley" were back with a bang last night - with leading trainer Caspar Fownes and jockey Brett Prebble combining to win the feature race with Victory Mascot as part of their own personal trebles. Prebble and Victory Mascot swooped around the final bend and stamped their authority on the South China Athletic Association Centenary Cup, rolling favourite Vitality Express by 3/4 length, with a length away to Jolly Good who completed a popular trio.
"Victory Mascot ran really well over 1,600 metres last start, and he's been a stronger more mature horse since coming back into work this season," Fownes said. "He's doing his job well here in Hong Kong, but he's the sort of horse who would be a great country cups horse back in Australia.
"He's very honest and has a really terrific turn of foot that allows him to put himself into a winning position." Fownes shared the love with three different jockeys for his three-timer, with Zac Purton driving New Idea to win race three and Gerald Mosse lifting Achilles Of Troy to his second win of the term in race five.
"Achilles Of Troy has now produced two very tough wins this campaign which he had always promised to do, but never delivered on," Fownes said. "He always works well and gives the rider a nice feel, but has been unlucky a few times and not really shown his best on raceday.
"Tonight was another strong effort and it looks like he might be up to winning another if things fall his way. "Gerald rode him a treat, and it was nice for him to win on this horse as he is good friends with the owner."
Mosse will need to take all of his magic to Melbourne this weekend where he partners the Peter Ho Leung-trained Mr Medici in the Caulfield Cup (2,400m).
The Hong Kong galloper was dealt a severe blow at yesterday's barrier draw and will start from gate 16 of the 18 horse line-up. Bookmakers in Australia have quoted A$21 about Mr Medici's chances of winning the prestigious Group One event.
Prebble helped Manfred Man Ka-leung hit his stride and combined with the trainer for an early double with Natural Flame and Turbo King - effectively wrapping up the Jockey Challenge early in the meeting.
"Natural Flame was in a very suitable race tonight, he is only a five-year-old now, but two seasons ago he won a class three race over 1,200 metres at Happy Valley," Man said. "I think he can be competitive again in class three this season. Prebble was full of praise for the lightly raced Turbo King, who repaid punters confidence with a slashing maiden win over the 1,200 metre course as odds-on favourite.