The John Moore-trained Admiration moves into somewhat rarefied air if he can win the Group Three National Day Cup (1,400m) with the top weight at Sha Tin today, but his difficult cause will be assisted by a slightly sub-par renewal of the race.Since its inception in 1999 the National Day Cup has become the regular kick-off point for Hong Kong's best gallopers heading towards the international events in December, and even the likes of Good Ba Ba, Vengeance Of Rain and Able One have been beaten in
The John Moore-trained Admiration moves into somewhat rarefied air if he can win the Group Three National Day Cup (1,400m) with the top weight at Sha Tin today, but his difficult cause will be assisted by a slightly sub-par renewal of the race.
Since its inception in 1999 the National Day Cup has become the regular kick-off point for Hong Kong's best gallopers heading towards the international events in December, and even the likes of Good Ba Ba, Vengeance Of Rain and Able One have been beaten in recent years under big handicap weights.
Fairy King Prawn (2001) carried the 133 pounds to win and so did Ambitious Dragon last year, but with most of the biggest names waiting until the Sha Tin Trophy at the end of the month to commence their international campaigns, Admiration's task in prospect may have more in common with inaugural winner, Score.
The first winner of the Cup also carried 133 pounds in his 45-1 boil-over victory but the event was open to only Class One and Two horses rated 110 or under in those days.
Only the top five today are rated higher than that level, and Admiration (Brett Prebble) looks to get an ideal run from his low draw, railing behind the leading horses.
With regulation leaders like Penglai Xianzi and Aashiq engaged, the expectation is for an average tempo even if they don't compete for the front and worthwhile chances in the race like Voile Rouge , Beauty Flash and Flying Blue should be the ones trailing them into the home straight.
That should mean Prebble can take his time, get Admiration balanced up behind the first four or five runners, knowing that they should be taking him into it on the turn rather than getting in his way.
Moore said last week Admiration looks the class runner now and that is true, but the task with the big weight is still no pushover. Supreme Win (Richard Fourie) has a terrific second-up record and the fact he won first time out this season doesn't detract from that record, despite his awkward draw.
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