From RACING POST HKLions' Fortune holds the key to the opening leg of the Triple Trio riches at Sha Tin on Saturday, which boasts an estimated dividend of HK$2 million after the jackpot was struck last Sunday.Douglas Whyte, the champion jockey of the last 10 seasons, teams up with in-form trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing on the Pins gelding and, from barrier two, he should be able to lift the six-year-old to his first victory in Hong Kong at start 22.Lions' Fortune has been placed in three of his e
From RACING POST HK
Lions' Fortune holds the key to the opening leg of the Triple Trio riches at Sha Tin on Saturday, which boasts an estimated dividend of HK$2 million after the jackpot was struck last Sunday.
Douglas Whyte, the champion jockey of the last 10 seasons, teams up with in-form trainer Danny Shum Chap-shing on the Pins gelding and, from barrier two, he should be able to lift the six-year-old to his first victory in Hong Kong at start 22.
Lions' Fortune has been placed in three of his eight starts over the Sha Tin 1,400m for previous trainers Ricky Yiu Poon-fai and Alex Wong Yu-on.
Shum had him for only one start at the end of last season, but has done much of the riding on the horse during the recess, and he has now attracted the services of Whyte for his resumption.
Lion's Fortune arrived on a rating of 52, but has dropped to 37 and will compete in Class Five for the first time - but that is not his major advantage on some of his rivals.
Whyte will be able to position him beautifully behind the speed and, in what looks a moderately run race on paper, should give Lions' Fortune every chance to break his duck, or at least go close enough to be relied upon as a banker.
Epee De Hua is another candidate for inclusion and he backs up after finishing third to General Danroad in the opening event of the season on September 5.
Zac Purton is flying and has retained the ride on the consistent performer, who has placed in the top four at 10 of his past 14 starts. From gate six, they should also be positioned within striking distance of the leaders when they turn for home.
The Dennis Yip Chor-hong-trained Dash looks the early pacesetter from barrier three and, if Olivier Doleuze can cuddle him through the early fractions, he may also prove hard to get past.
Speed Racer and Metro Rider were both tuned up for their first-up assault in the same barrier trial eight days ago, with Speed Racer looking more forward in condition that day.
Both will have come on for that practice run and, if they can overcome their awkward draws early, they could prove to be the horses finishing over the top late.