Penglai Xianzi's barnstorming burst in the straight to win last Friday's 1,200m all-weather track barrier trial at Sha Tin indicated all is well with him and he will return a better horse. The three-year-old colt by Encosta de Lago, prepared by Tony Cruz, went back to the trials after his mediocre performance last start over 1,400m behind Algarve. He sat behind Baby Wave and Gaucho until heads were turned for home and then kicked away to score by 2 1/4 lengths under the guidance of Matthew Chad
Penglai Xianzi's barnstorming burst in the straight to win last Friday's 1,200m all-weather track barrier trial at Sha Tin indicated all is well with him and he will return a better horse. The three-year-old colt by Encosta de Lago, prepared by Tony Cruz, went back to the trials after his mediocre performance last start over 1,400m behind Algarve.
He sat behind Baby Wave and Gaucho until heads were turned for home and then kicked away to score by 2 1/4 lengths under the guidance of Matthew Chadwick. It was serious work from the youngster, with the last quarter being covered in 23.6 seconds (1.11.55).
The top apprentice asked nothing of the horse in the early part, but when Chadwick pushed the button at the 300m he shot off like a rocket.
Penglai Xianzi was used up early in his first campaign, but his brilliant win when resuming showed he is best when switched off in his races and using his good turn of foot when it counts most.
So when he returns to competition, he will prove a handful, judging from his latest trial workout.
A three-quarter brother to the stakes-performed Sydney galloper Glowlamp, Penglai Xianzi is from group-performed Danehill mare Isle of Gibraltar. He cost A$300,000 (HK$2.1 million) at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast. And he was bought by Benson Lee for HK$3 million at the International Sales.
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