From Racing Post Hong KongPerfect Sprint surprised both his trainer and jockey in snatching a last-stride victory from London China Town in the Kam Tin River Handicap yesterday. Rounding the home turn, jockey Brett Prebble feared that the horse wouldn't get a chance at running down the leaders, and at the 200 metres his trainer, Almond Lee, thought he would be lucky to run a place, but when the judge called for the photo it was the lightly raced Align gelding who figured prominently. "I kn

From Racing Post Hong Kong

Perfect Sprint surprised both his trainer and jockey in snatching a last-stride victory from London China Town in the Kam Tin River Handicap yesterday. Rounding the home turn, jockey Brett Prebble feared that the horse wouldn't get a chance at running down the leaders, and at the 200 metres his trainer, Almond Lee, thought he would be lucky to run a place, but when the judge called for the photo it was the lightly raced Align gelding who figured prominently. "I knew the leaders had gone along too quick, but even at the 200m marker I didn't think he could nail London China Town the way he did," Lee said.

"He was a bit stiff on the track today, he had wet form in New Zealand before I bought him, but I took the chance that his good action would allow him to race well here, too."

Perfect Sprint beat London China Town by a short head, with New King Prawn a further 1-3/4 lengths away in third.

The victory helped Prebble draw level with the suspended Douglas Whyte in the jockeys' premiership at 73 wins apiece.

"He appreciated the high tempo and really motored once we got clear running," Prebble said.

"He'll be a better horse next year for sure, I think he will appreciate a lighter weight, and I even think he felt better at Happy Valley where the track is a bit softer.

"After today I think you have to rate him as a serious racehorse."

Prebble had a tough day at the office, finishing the narrowest of seconds to Ultra Fantasy on Green Birdie in the Sprint Cup and having one of his prime chances, Wind Damper, scratched at the barriers prior to the start of the Nam Chung River Handicap.

Prebble felt Wind Damper's action wasn't quite right on the way to the barriers and called for a veterinary examination prior to the start of race six.

The vet found the horse to be slightly lame in his right hind leg and Prebble had to be content to ride back to the grandstand in the stewards' car.

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